U.S-based Ford Motor Co. began building a new plant in China's southwest Chongqing city Friday, mainly to manufacture the next-generation Focus car.

Covering about 100 hectares with a total investment of 3.34 billion yuan (490 million U.S. dollars), the plant is being jointly built by the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co. Ltd., a joint venture of Ford; Chongqing-based Chana Auto Co. Ltd. and Japan's Mazda Motor Corp..

The plant, the second in Chongqing and third in China, will have an annual output of 150,000 cars after completion in 2012.

"I believe that with concerted efforts from all sides, Changan Ford Mazda cars will win consumers' favor with excellent products and services, and the joint venture will become a model for China's auto market," said Xu Liuping, board chairman of Chana, at the foundation stone laying ceremony.