Chang'an Ford Mazda's new engine plant went into mass production on Thursday in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu province.

The engine plant, with a production capacity of 350,000 engines a year,is one of China's largest, said the Chongqing-based carmaker in a statement.

The company started to build the plant in September 2005 and cost 2.5 billion yuan (320.5 million U.S. dollars).

The engine plant would provide strong support for the development of the Shaanxi-based Chang'an Auto, Ford Motor and Mazda Motor in the Chinese market, said Phil Spender, president and chief operating officer of Ford China.

Meanwhile, Chang'an Ford Mazda is building its second complete car plant in Nanjing to produce 160,000 vehicles annually. The plant is expected to begin operation at the end of this year.

The joint venture was formed in March 2006 when Mazda Motor joined the Sino-U.S. carmaker Chang'an Ford, which was established in April 2001.

Source: Xinhua