Suzuki to Expand Local Production in China

Suzuki Motor Corp. plans by early 2016 to expand its lineup of locally produced vehicles in China to include midsize sedans and SUVs, The Nikkei reports.

Suzuki has been making subcompact cars in Chongqing through its joint venture with Changan Automobile Group since 1995. But its sales fell 8% to 233,000 units in the fiscal year ended March 31 because of a lack of larger models, according to The Nikkei.

Now, the newspaper says, the company is preparing to begin local output of its Alivio sedan in Chongqing. The car will be joined in fiscal 2015 by a midsize SUV expected to be called the iV-4.