Ford-Mazda China venture to begin production

China is bracing for a mega launch, with the joint venture between Mazda, Ford and a Chinese partner, planning production any time now. It has been reported that full-scale commercial production at the joint venture Changan Ford Mazda Engine Co will begin before the end of the year.

The JV plans to roll out the all new third generation Ford Mondeo will be produced at Changan Ford Mazda Auto Co in 2008, and Mazda will produce an all-new Mazda 2 for the Chinese market at its Nanjing plant. The report added that Ford Motor and affiliated brands production capacity of 2007 in China stands to touch 546,000 units per year. Changan Ford Mazda Auto Co Ltd's share of the annual production capacity will be 410,000 units, up from 250,000 units last year.

Meanwhile, it is a known fact that Ford and affiliated brands sold 167,000 units last year in mainland China. This mega performance meant an 86 per cent increase compared with that of year 2005. The company has already sold 43,000 units in mainland China in the first quarter, it added.

This apart, there are also reports that Ford Motor Research and Engineering (Nanjing) Co Ltd has received government approval in March to begin operations. More details of the design are yet to come.