SHANGHAI, China/DETROIT/MÜNSTER, Germany - An SGM (Shanghai General Motors) Excelle automobile painted with BASF waterborne basecoats has rolled off the General Motors assembly line in Shanghai, marking the first use of waterborne basecoat technology in the history of the Chinese automobile industry. The Excelle is designed expressly for the Chinese market.

The introduction of waterborne basecoat technology in China is a major milestone for BASF Coatings Shanghai and Shanghai General Motors. Waterborne coatings emit significantly fewer volatile organic compounds and require fewer hazardous components than the solventborne coatings used in China almost exclusively until now.