September 24, 2007 - 9:58 am EST
NANJING, China -- Ford Motor Co. may export cars from its plant in this east China city, CEO Alan Mulally says.
"Export is a possibility," he said at a media event here. "It's all about competitiveness."
Mulally spoke to reporters in Ford's new wholly owned research and engineering center. The center is due to open in late October.
"We will use our research and engineering and manufacturing in China for worldwide operations," Mulally says. "The real competitors going forward will be the ones who leverage their assets around the world."
Honda Motor Co. assembles a small car in China and exports it to Europe. China's Chery Automobile Co. is scheduled to assemble a small car for Dodge dealers in the United States in mid-2009.
Mulally was in China for the opening of Ford's second automotive assembly plant. The plant is part of Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co.,a joint venture of Ford, Mazda Motor Corp., and Changan Automotive Group.
The Nanjing plant has an initial annual capacity of 160,000 units. It has started producing the Mazda2 small car. It is scheduled to begin production of a Ford brand small car in the second half of 2008.
Says Mulally: "I can imagine making the Verve in China is a possibility." The Verve is a small concept car that Ford debuted this monthat the Frankfurt auto show.
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Source:
Alysha Webb
Automotive News
