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Ready to Put Out 150,000 Units Annually
Changan Ford Automobile Co., Ltd. (Changan Ford), a Ford Motor Company joint venture in China, held a ceremony today in its Chongqing assembly plant to mark the completion of a major expansion program. The expansion program, which has increased annual production capacity to 150,000 units, includes a new stamping plant, engine plant and assembly plant. This achievement represents another milestone for Ford Motor Company in line with an expansion plan announced two years ago.
Jim Padilla, president and chief operating officer, Ford Motor Company, was present to congratulate the teams from Ford China and Changan Automotive Group on their achievement. Padilla also spent time reviewing progress of the recently launched Ford Focus. Production of the Focus, the fourth Ford brand vehicle made in China, began in early September in Changan Ford's Chongqing plant.
"Today marks another successful milestone for Ford Motor Company's business expansion plan in China," said Padilla. "I'm proud to say that we continue to deliver against our investment commitment in China."
In October 2003, Bill Ford, chairman and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company, visited China and announced that, together with its Chinese partner Changan Automotive Group, the company was going to invest over $1 billion to expand operations in China.
In addition to the Chongqing effort, Ford Motor Company and partners Changan Automotive Group and Mazda Motor Corporation have begun construction of a new vehicle assembly facility in Nanjing. Moreover, in Nanjing, construction is underway at a new engine plant by partners Changan, Ford and Mazda. The adjacent engine and vehicle assembly sites in Nanjing are expected to be operational in early 2007. Initial capacity at Nanjing vehicle assembly will be 160,000 units annually.
By 2007, with further planned expansion in Chongqing, combined total production capacity at both sites will be approximately 360,000 units, 18 times that of 2003. The installed capacity can also be quickly increased should the need arise.
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