In response to the rapid growth in China vehicle production, Autoliv Inc., a provider of automotive safety systems , has started construction of a new factory in Changchun. It will replace the companys existing plant in this city in Northern China.
The new plant, which will cost $6 million, will more than double the existing floor space.
Autolivs Changchun plant manufactures seatbelts, frontal airbags and side airbags for FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co., FAW Car Co., Great Wall Motor Co., Bejing Benz Automotive Co., BMW Brilliance Automotive Co., and Shanghai GM (Shenyang) Norsom Co. The plant has approximately 450 employees. The company has 5,500 employees in China.
Recently, Autoliv also announced an extension of its electronics plant in China. The company has ten facilities in China, including a technical center with a crash tests facility for complete vehicles.
In 2010 the Chinese market accounted for 11% of its sales. Last year, light vehicle production in China grew by 29%. Autolivs sales grew by more than 60%.