Mazda to raise China production capacity

Mazda Motor, in which Ford holds an 11% stake, is looking to increase China production capacity to keep up with growing domestic demand, Bloomberg reported, citing the company’s chief financial officer Kiyoshi Ozaki. The Japanese car company intends to increase China sales by 22% this year. Mazda said in January it plans to sell 220,000 vehicles in 2010 on the mainland. In 2009 Mazda sold 173,788 vehicles through its partnerships with Ford, Chongqing Changan Auto and FAW in a market that has overtaken the US in terms of sales. Company president Takashi Yamanouchi earlier in February said Mazda and Ford would continue their partnership contrary to claims that the two carmakers were planning to part ways.