CHONGQING, China (Kyodo) A three-way vehicle manufacturing venture by Mazda Motor Corp., Ford Motor Co. of the U.S. and Changan Automotive Group of China started production of the Mazda3 sedan at its plant in China, the automakers said Monday.
"With the help of our partners, we will do our utmost to forge a cooperative, mutually advantageous business model that integrates the corporate resources of Mazda and Changan Auto with the corporate strategy model that Ford has advanced in China to date," said Mei-Wei Cheng, chairman and CEO of Ford Motor (China) Ltd.
The joint venture, Changan Ford Automobile Co., has just begun production at its main plant in Chongqing in central China. Sales of the Mazda3 in the domestic market will begin in the latter half of March through FAW Mazda Motor Sales Co., a joint venture set up by Mazda with another of its Chinese partners, the First Auto Works Group.