Maxion Wheels and China's Dongfeng Motor Parts & Components Group have broken ground on a joint-venture aluminum wheel plant in Suizhou that primarily will supply local assembly plants of both Chinese and international vehicle makers.
The partners have established a joint venture company, Dongfeng Maxion Wheels Co. Ltd., to oversee construction of the 236,720-sq.ft. plant in Suizhou, Hubei Province, and its operation once up and running.
"With our new partner, … this plant will serve future demand from global and Chinese vehicle manufacturers for locally produced aluminum car wheels," Maxion Wheels CEO Pieter Klinkers said. "Through our partnership with one of China's largest automotive parts companies, we can quickly bring global aluminum wheel-making expertise to the biggest vehicle market in the world."
The partners expect the plant to be in operation by year-end 2020 with an annual capacity of 2 million die-cast aluminum wheels, according to Kai Kronenberg, vice president and chief representative officer for Maxion Wheels in China.The partners did not disclose the value of the project.
Shiyan, China-based Dongfeng Motor Parts is a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor Co. Ltd. specialized in auto parts, including chassis systems, cabin and body systems, electric drive systems, braking and intelligent driving systems, powertrain systems, thermal management systems, powertrain systems and lightweight technologies, Maxion said.Novi, Mich.-based Maxion Wheels, a division of IOCHPE-MAXION S.A., claims to be the world's largest wheel manufacturer, producing nearly 60 million wheels per year at 21 plants in 12 countries on five continents. Maxion has one other plant in China, in Nantong.
