Mitsubishi to Make Minivans in China with Carmakers from China and Taiwan

06/14/96

NikkeiNet reported that Mitsubishi is expanding its operations to include making minivans in China. The Japanese automaker will join forces with Fujian Motor Co. of mainland China and China Motor Co. of Taiwan to begin producing minivans in Fujian China by the end of September. Fujian Motor will assemble two types of minivans, the Delica with 2,000cc-3,000cc engines and the Varica with a 1,100cc engine.

Mitsubishi will supply engines, transmissions and other key parts, while the Taiwanese firm will supply bodies and manufacturing technologies. Fujian will attempt to produce 5,000 minivans during their first year of production.

Industry analysts expect U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. to follow suit and involve Taiwanese automakers in their production projects in China.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel