China Captures 60% of World’s Auto Capacity Spending

Last year automakers committed to investing US$15.6 billion worldwide to boost vehicle capacity, including $9.3 billion in China, according to the University of Windsor's Office of Automotive & Vehicle Research.

Indian and South Korean companies each unveiled plans for $972 million of expansion.

Global spending commitments totaled $23.5 billion in 2011 and $16.6 billion in 2010.

China has topped the Canadian university's investment tally since 2002. In the past four years, carmakers have said they will spend more than $39 billion to increase capacity there.

In 2012 year automakers unveiled plans to invest nearly $2.6 billion in Mexico, $500 million in the U.S. and $175 million in Canada. Big capacity spending also is scheduled for Russia ($1.6 billion) and Brazil ($934 million).

Companies announcing major investments in 2012 included General Motors ($3.7 billion), Chrysler ($1.6 billion), Nissan ($1.4 billion) and Ford ($1.3 billion). Trailing them were Toyota ($564 million) and Honda ($39 million).