Dongfeng, China’s second biggest auto group, plans to set up a joint venture with Japan’s Nissan Motor to produce a full range of motor vehicles, including cars, trucks and other passenger vehicles, sources close to the company told Reuters. The venture, to be 50 per cent owned by Nissan, will be based on Dongfeng’s existing production facilities in Hubei province.
A Nissan spokesman confirmed that the company, which already has a joint venture with Dongfeng to produce light trucks, was in talks with the Chinese company to set up a comprehensive alliance that would enhance Nissan’s presence in China.
New shovel production line for Hitachi Japanese manufacturers Hitachi Construction Machinery and Komatsu have announced plans to increase production of hydraulic shovels in China to meet an expected increase in local demand. Hitachi plans to invest about US$8m to build a new production line at its joint venture in Anhui province that will increase production capacity by 50 per cent. Komatsu, which produces shovels at a joint venture in Shandong province, said it would increase production by around 40 per cent, mostly by improving efficiency.
