The Seattle Times: Courting China: Airbus makes all the right moves

The Seattle TimesCourting China: Airbus makes all the right moves

The Europeans moved ahead in this intense rivalry by finding the right formula to fit China's political and economic situation. They put a large staff on the ground for training and support, offered different aircraft models to suit China's sprawling cities and vast, undeveloped provinces, and sent high-level politicians to seal the deals. Airbus opened its training center eight years ago, part of an $80 million investment in Beijing to build its China headquarters — a three-building complex of industrial Euro-chic that includes everything from sales to spare parts and repairs, with a new design center under construction. Every piece of material was imported from Europe, from tiles to toilet paper. The scent of espresso wafts down the austere hall from the cafe. New, Chinese-built black Audis fill the parking lot.