Ford Breaks Ground on China Plant

Ford Motor Co. on Thursday said it broke ground on a passenger-car joint venture in China, which plans to double its capacity when it comes online in 2013.

Changan Ford Mazda Automobile, whose new engine plant is located in Chongqing, central China, represents a $500 million investment.

The engine plant, which will have a production capacity of 750,000 units per year, will equip Ford vehicles produced and sold in China.

Ford intends to launch 15 new models in China by 2015, in a bid to gain a better presence in the biggest auto market in the world.

Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford sold more than 580,000 vehicles in China last year, compared with 2.35 million for its rival General Motors, a leader on the Chinese market.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2011