Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile, a minicar joint venture between Changan Auto and Suzuki Motors, expects to increase its annual capacity to 180,00 vehicles this year.

Changan Suzuki sold more than 53,000 units in the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 60 per cent from a year earlier, said Tang Qing, the company’s marketing and promotion director.

Mr Tang said Changan Suzuki will continue to develop new models such as the Suzuki SX4 hatchback, the Swift and new Alto.