Suzuki ups Changan venture output to 500,000 units

Shanghai, November 3 (Gasgoo.com) Suzuki Motor Corp said it plans to raise the annual production at Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile Co to 500,000 vehicles within the next three years, Chinese newspaper Nandang Daily reported today.

"Suzuki aims to raise production at our Chongqing-based Changan factory step by step in the coming three year by bring new car models," said Suzuki Motor Chairman Osamu Suzuki while attending a provincial conference.

Changan Suzki halted production of the existing Alto model back in July, which is to pave the way for the next generation Alto due to hit the roads in next September in China.

Earlier in mid-June the joint venture also launched Tianyu SX4-Sport car in the Chinese market, with a dealer's price of 100,888 yuan ($14,700). Only 300 units of the model are available in the initial sales stage.

For the full year of 2008, Suzuki is expecting a 36 percent sales increase to 220,000 cars in China, Tadashi Kondo, Changan Suzuki said at this year's Beijng Auto Show in April.

The goal compares with just a 1 percent increase to 161,066 China-made cars last year. He said at the time the target would be achieved mainly by the streamlining of its sales networks in China.

Suzuki is also producing Liana and Landy models in China through the other joint venture with Jiangxi Changhe Automobile.