SHIJIAZHUANG, CHINA--(Marketwired - Mar 2, 2015) - AutoChina International Limited ("AutoChina" or the "Company") (OTCBB: AUTCF), a leading provider of innovative financing solutions for China's transportation industry, today announced that it is participating in the China Lab program from the MIT Sloan School of Management ("MIT Sloan") as a host company and will welcome its project team of four MIT Sloan MBA students for a two-week visit to the Company's offices in China in March.

China Lab pairs two MIT Sloan MBA students with two international MBA ("iMBA") students from five premier business schools in China. Tasked with a specific project that caters to a participating host company's needs, each four-student team works across cultures and time zones during the spring semester to put traditional classroom learning into real-world practice while addressing critical business issues and promoting economic growth. The four-month project timeline also includes two weeks of on-site collaboration in China and the Chinese iMBA students visiting MIT Sloan for one week in late spring.

Mr. Yong Hui Li, Chairman and CEO of AutoChina, stated, "We are excited to be a part of the MIT Sloan School of Management's China Lab program this year and look forward to hosting the student team at our offices. AutoChina has always been a proponent of innovation and learning, and we are pleased to be able to work with the four MIT Sloan MBA students with various backgrounds and experiences on identifying potential new business opportunities for the Company."

About AutoChina International Limited:
 AutoChina International Limited focuses on providing innovative financing solutions for China's transportation industry. Founded in 2005, we are China's largest commercial vehicle sales, servicing, leasing, and support network. As of December 31, 2014, the Company owned and operated 555 commercial vehicle financing centers in 26 provinces across China, and primarily provides sales-type leasing and support services for local customers. The Company's website is http://www.autochinaintl.com.

About MIT Sloan School of Management:
 The MIT Sloan School of Management is where smart, independent leaders come together to solve problems, create new organizations, and improve the world. Learn more at http://mitsloan.mit.edu.

Safe Harbor Statement:
 This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about the Company. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements, based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management, are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to meaningfully differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements:

  • Continued compliance with government regulations;
  • Changing legislation or regulatory environments;
  • Requirements or changes affecting the businesses in which the Company is engaged;
  • Industry trends, including factors affecting supply and demand;
  • Labor and personnel relations;
  • Credit risks affecting the Company's revenue and profitability;
  • Changes in the commercial vehicle industry;
  • The Company's ability to effectively manage its growth, including implementing effective controls and procedures and attracting and retaining key management and personnel;
  • Changing interpretations of generally accepted accounting principles;
  • General economic conditions; and
  • Other relevant risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. The Company does not assume any obligation to update the information contained in this press release.