Cars
Peugeot, Changan in JV deal
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-05-06 15:38
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French carmaker PSA Peugeot has reached an initial agreement to set up a 50-50 vehicle manufacturing venture with China Changan Automotive Group as it speeds up expansion in the world's largest auto market.
The China venture will make light commercial vehicles and cars, the companies said in a joint statement on Thursday, confirming an earlier Reuters story.
The partners are still in discussion over the financial details of the venture, it said.
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The latest deal, if it goes ahead as planned, will enable it to secure a foothold in China's fast-growing light commercial vehicle market, where GM and Ford Motor Co already have a head start.
It will improve the competitiveness of Changan, parent of Chongqing Changan Automobile Co, which runs a three-way tie up with Ford and Mazda Motor.
China, which eclipsed the United States as the world's biggest auto market last year, has been a major bright spot amid a global industry downturn and a safe haven for foreign auto giants.
GM, which already makes cars and light commercial vehicles with China's major auto groups SAIC Motor Corp and FAW Group, is now selecting a site for a greenfield China plant, executives had said.
Ford Motor in September last year broke ground for its third China plant.
