GKN of the UK has opened has opened a new driveshaft plant in Wuhan, its 11th direct investment in China. The facility is wholly-owned by Shanghai GKN Drive Shaft, a joint venture between GKN and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.

Located in Wuhan EDZ, the plant is close to the headquarters of Dongfeng Automotive, one of China’s top four automotive companies. It will supply vehicle manufacturers in central China, including Dongfeng Auto, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile, Dongfeng Nissan and Dongfeng Honda.

The Rmb230m facility is scheduled to produce 500,000 units in 2010, rising to 1m by 2011 and 2m by 2012.