
SHANGHAI -- Renault has partnered with Dongfeng Motor Group to open its first production facility in China, aiming to tap the country's growing market for sport utility vehicles.
"China is a core part of Renault's strategic plan," the French automaker's CEO, Carlos Ghosn, said at the factory's Monday opening. Dongfeng Renault Automotive, a 50/50 joint venture, owns and runs the Wuhan plant in Hubei Province. Annual production capacity is currently 150,000 autos, but can be expanded to 300,000. The plant will make Renault's compact SUV, the Kadjar, which is seen driving the automaker's growth in China.