Changan Auto to build car in Mexico venture

Shanghai, February 17 (Gasgoo.com) Chang'an Automobile, the Chongqing-based carmaker that has joint ventures in China with Ford, Mazda and Suzuki, has signed an agreement in Mexico with Grupo Hispanoamericano Autopark for the manufacture and marketing Changan cars in the region, reported Empresa Exterior, a local weekly business magazine.

In a visit to Mexico on February 10, Changan president Xu Liuping signed a framework agreement with Autopark president Juan Manuel Vinos, to build Changan's Benben, Zhixiang and Yuexiang cars in Mexico.

The formal joint venture agreement is scheduled to be signed within two months and the first batch of vehicles will be exported to Mexico by the end of 2009.

Autopark president Juan Manuel Vinos (left) and Changan president Xu Liuping
have signed a cooperation agreement in Mexico

The joint venture plants also targets exports to the U.S. and Latin American markets, where strict quality tests are required for new vehicle entries. The report said a Changan car model has already passed the tests of adaptability to the Mexican market last December.

Autopark Mexico is a Latin American company 25% owned by the Spanish Import Autopark (a subsidiary of Autopark Ibérica) and the rest by the two major Mexican retailers, Alden and Fame, as well as several important Mexican businessmen.