Changan Automobile Group, Ford Motor Co's Chinnese partner, plans to build a manufacturing plant in Mexico with a local firm and aims to export cars to North America, its vice president said on Thursday.

"We have signed an initial agreement with our Mexican partner to make compact and mid-sized cars there. The plant would start operation at the end of 2009 or early 2010," Luo Minggang said on the sidelines of an auto forum organised by the China Europe International Business School in Shanghai.

Luo did not identify the Mexican partner, which makes and distribute vehicles, but said the plant, which gives Changan a foothold in the North American market, will have an initial annual capacity of 50,000 cars.

Source: Reuters