Success Story

Groupe Pilote: Chinese Market Entry

Groupe Pilote
Groupe Pilote

Limouzinière, France

Headquarter

$400 million

Turnover

Recreational Vehicles

Sector

Expand in China

Challenge

Key Points

Interrested in Joint Venture?

“We realized that geographical distance could hinder our project. That’s why we chose to work with experts.”

Marie-Danièle Padiou

President of Groupe Pilote

Operating in mature markets, Groupe Pilote recognized that international expansion was critical for identifying new growth opportunities.

The group set two key objectives:

  • Establish a presence in China to tap into a high-potential market.
  • Optimize its international strategy to strengthen its presence beyond France.

Altios played a vital role in the process, starting with the selection of a Chinese industrial partner to manufacture and sell Groupe Pilote’s vehicles in China.

  • In the first phase, Altios facilitated the signing of a Joint Venture (JV) agreement with Hunan Leopaard Motors.
  • Altios provided legal support during negotiations and structured the contract while also offering administrative assistance to finalize the partnership.

The Shanghai office of Altios supported operational actions, including payroll management and on-the-ground coordination.

Altios’ deep understanding of mid-sized companies (ETIs) and its local expertise significantly eased project management.

Beyond securing the JV agreement in China, Groupe Pilote decided to further enhance its internationalization strategy, particularly across Europe.

Altios continues to assist Groupe Pilote in the next phases of its global development, ensuring effective implementation of the group’s vision and strategy.

Tips and Best Practices

    1. Collaborate with Local Experts
      Work with trusted advisors like Altios to navigate complex foreign markets, from legal negotiations to administrative support.
    2. Leverage Strategic Partnerships
      Secure joint ventures with established local players (e.g., Hunan Leopaard Motors in China) to accelerate market entry and build credibility.
    3. Optimize Operational Support
      Delegate key operational tasks such as payroll and on-ground coordination to local offices for seamless project execution.
    4. Phased Expansion Strategy
      Focus on entering high-potential markets first (e.g., China) and use insights to refine strategies for other regions.
    5. Strengthen Global Vision
      Align international efforts with long-term goals, continuously seeking opportunities to enhance presence in existing and new markets

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