In 2011, Ford announced its intention to significantly increase its presence in China, doubling its workforce and boosting production by 50 percent in the next three years.
On Monday, August 27, the Blue Oval’s President and CEO Alan Mulally broke ground for a new facility in Chongqing, which brings the number of assembly lines in Ford’s largest factory outside the U.S. to three.
Ford and its joint venture Changan Ford Mazda Automobile (CFMA) will invest approximately US$600 million in building the “Chongqing 3” assembly plant, which will have an annual capacity of 250,000 vehicles.
At the same time, CFMA is also increasing the capacity of the “Chongqing 2” plant by 100,000, upping Ford’s local annual output by 350,000 vehicles.
“This expansion will allow us to continue to serve our Chinese customers with the very best in vehicle quality, green technology, safety and smart design as we bring 15 new vehicles to China by 2015”, said Mulally.
The Chongqing 3 plant will become operational in 2014 and will be flexible enough to produce up to seven different models.
CFMA already has an engine plant and a transmission plant under construction and Ford, which has five plants in China, is building five more along with its local partners.
The company estimates that the Asia Pacific and Africa region will account for 70 percent of its global sales increase in the next decade.
By Andrew Tsaousis
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