Gasgoo.com (Shanghai December 22) - After a full nineteen months of construction, Dongfeng Nissan's second passenger vehicle factory officially begun operation yesterday, a full four months ahead of schedule, Xinhua reported today. The factory, located in Guangzhou's Huadu District, will increase Dongfeng Nissan's production capability to 600,000 units for the region, making the district Nissan's largest overall production site, as well as the biggest automobile production center in southern China.

According to Dongfeng Nissan Vice President Ren Yong (pictured), the new 2.4 million square meter factory will be equipped with full production facilities. With the new factory, Dongfeng Nissan's overall yearly production capability looks set to exceed one million units next year.

Mr. Ren said that Dongfeng Nissan's 2012 sales goal is set at 1.2 million units. The joint venture sold 660,000 vehicles in 2010, and is expected to sell over 800,000 units by the end of this year.

The Chinese market is expected to account for a quarter of Nissan's global sales in 2011, with over 60 percent of those coming from the Dongfeng Nissan joint venture. The JV has been the top selling company in South China since 2003.