GAC Mitsubishi Motors, a joint venture between carmakers Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd., said Oct. 16 that it began engine production in China.

The company said its engine factory, which has an annual production capacity of 200,000 units, will produce two types of engines: the 4B4, a 1.5-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine that will be fitted to the Eclipse Cross SUV, and the 4J1, which will be fitted to the locally produced Outlander SUV.

GAC Mitsubishi Motors added that it also held a groundbreaking ceremony for its research and development center, which is in the Chinese city of Changsha.

The facility, which will be completed in 2020, has a total area of 41 hectares, including a test course. The carmaker said the center will help improve its technological development to meet the needs of its customers in China.