Dongfeng Nissan eyes third PV plant in China

Shanghai, June 24 (Gasgoo.com) Dongfeng Motor Co (DFL)., a Chinese joint venture with Nissan Motor Co, plans to set up a third passenger car plant as of next year, the Beijing Times reported on Monday.

"DFL's existing plants in Xiangfan and Huadu have a combined output of 450,000 units, but this capacity can't meet our sales demand by 2010. As a new plant is usually built with a time frame of two years, we shall make preparations before it's too late," said Chen Bingbo, deputy general manager in charge of the JV's sales department.

He said the third plant might not be built in Guangzhou again for logistics and cost reasons. Further details will be unveiled by the second half of this year.

The joint venture just announced its plans to sell 1 million vehicles annually by 2012, up from 610,000 last year, and to build a new 1 billion yuan ($150 million) commercial vehicle plant in Zhengzhou to underpin its expansion.

Furthermore, DFL has planned to launch 15 new commercial and passenger vehicle models in the next five years.