Chang'an builds plant in Beijing

China Chang'an Automobile Group began construction Sept 30 on its production facility in Beijing, where it will make its own brand name medium and high-end cars and new-energy vehicles.

The 11.5 billion yuan plant will have an annual production capacity of 500,000 vehicles and a similar number of engines.

Chang'an plans to begin production of its pure electric vehicles at the Beijing facility in July 2011 and start assembly of its sedans in March 2012.