Changan Auto plans major expansion in China

Just the Facts:

* Chang'an has announced plans to build 6 million vehicles by 2020.

* The automaker will invest $1.7 billion on a new 500,000-unit plant in Beijing.

* Chang'an builds cars locally for Ford, Mazda, Suzuki and Peugeot-Citroen.

CHONGQING, China — Chang'an Automobile, the Chinese partner of Ford, Mazda, Suzuki and PSA Peugeot Citroen, has announced ambitious plans to hike its annual production capacity to 6 million vehicles by 2020.

Chang'an previously had said it expects to have the capacity to build 3 million vehicles per year in place by 2012. The company has plants in Chongqing and Nanjing and currently builds a modest range of vehicles — some through its joint-venture partnerships — as well as a variety of minicars that it sells under its own Chana brand.

As part of its expansion, Chang'an said it will invest $1.7 billion in a new manufacturing complex in Beijing that will have the capacity to produce 500,000 vehicles and 500,000 engines a year.