Automotive components manufacturer Magneti Marelli (Corbetta / Italy; www.magnetimarelli.com) has opened a new production plant for rear lights, headlamps and other lighting parts in Foshan / China.

The company said the plant, which required an approximately EUR 30m investment, will initially focus on the production of rear lights and will later also produce headlamps and electronic lighting components. Output will be mainly intended for the Chinese market as well as for international customers located in the south of China, and part of the production will be exported to Japan.

The plant will initially produce about 2.4m rear lamps/annually, with a total workforce of about 300 employees. “The first rear lights to come off the production line will be fitted on models such as Capsa, Fiat, Ford and Nissan,” Magneti Marelli said.

The company achieved a 19% jump in turnover in China to EUR 287.4m in 2012, exceeding an estimated 6% growth of the Chinese auto market in terms of vehicles produced.