Japanese automaker Mazda will strengthen ties with China's FAW Group by jointly developing a remodeled compact luxury car and outsourcing production of a mainline minivan.

The company aims to sell 300,000 vehicles in China in 2010 by adding eight models to its product line-up in the Chinese market in three to four years.

Mazda also plans to outsource production of its latest MPV minivan in as early as 2006, with China FAW's group firm, FAW Car Company to produce about 10,000 units a year.

China FAW, which developed its current compact luxury sedan with the help of Germany's Audi AG, plans to replace Audi with Mazda as its development partner for the remodeled version.

(CRI June 24, 2004)