Ford China's new plant to make green cars

Shanghai, September 27 (Gasgoo.com) Ford Motor announced Friday that its Chinese venture Changan Ford Mazda Automobile is building a new plant in Chongqing, southwest China. The $490 million factory, due to operate in 2012, will mainly produce fuel-efficient green cars of Ford's new Focus for the China market, media reported.

The new passenger car plant, second in Chongqing and third in China, represents a significant step in Ford's continuing expansion in the Asia Pacific region, which accounts for 30% of the company's global business, said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new manufacturing facility.

"Globally, we are committed to delivering a full lineup of Ford brand vehicles with best-in-class quality, fuel efficiency, safety and innovative technologies that our customers value and want to drive," Mulally said.

The next-generation Focus will be built on Changan Ford Mazda's new global C-car platform. Ford said it will introduce its EcoBoost engine technology in China next year, as well as other fuel-efficient technologies, such as our PowerShift transmission.

Ford's EcoBoost engines combine turbo-charging and direct-injection technology to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 20% versus conventional, larger-displacement gasoline engines with similar power output.

The new plant iwill be capable of producing 150,000 cars a year, boosting total annual production capacity of Changan Ford Mazda to 600,000 units by 2012 to help meet growing demand for Ford brand vehicles in China.