Ford to build 3rd China plant in Chongqing

Shanghai, May 19 (Gasgoo.com) Ford Motor Co has given the go-ahead for the plan to build a third assembly plant in China to meet fast-growing demand for its cars in the country, state media reported today.

Through its joint venture Changan Ford Mazda, Ford will build the third plant in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing, almost next to its existing assembly plant in the city, the official Xinhua news agency said. Now the project has been confirmed by the U.S. auto maker.

The new plant is designed to produce more than 300,000 vehicles per year and will focus on producing existing Ford SUV and crossover series. Meanwhile, an auto engine manufacturing plant will be constructed nearby along with the third plant.

Currently, Ford's first China plant, built with Mazda Motor and China's Chongqing Changan Auto, produces about 250,000 vehicles annually. It has another plant in Nanjing, about 300 km from Shanghai, which has an initial capacity of 160,000 vehicles per year.