SAIC to expand annual capacity to 150,000 units

Shanghai, September 12 (Gasgoo.com) China's auto giant Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (Group) (SAIC) is well on its way to promoting the own-brand products. The SAIC announced it will officially put its passenger division’s Linggang factory into operation on September 17, which will roll out SAIC’s independent brand Roewe 550 by then, said the Oriental Morning Post, citing sources.

The Linggang factory covers 1.2071million square meters totally, with production capacity at 150,000 units.

SAIC's own-brand Roewe has been produced in its plant of Yizheng, Jiangsu Province. But the Yizheng plant fell short of capacity since it was designed as the SAIC's Ssangyong production base apart from the production of Roewe 550 and emerging Roewe 750. SAIC said the Roewe 550 ranked first among the segment of its same level by selling 2,546 units in the first month after its launch.

SAIC had planned to launch over 30 models including mid- and high-end sedans, RVs, mid-sized and compact cars built on five platforms from 2007 to 2010. Analysts said the capacity expansion of SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle Co. is a necessity.