JAC to open production in Ukraine

KIEV - Chinese automobile maker JAC Motors will start producing two of its models in Ukraine late this year, its local partner said Tuesday.

"The Chinese company has chosen Bogdan Motors Corporation as a partner to enter the Ukrainian market," the Ukrainian carmaker said in a statement.

JAC will carry out its production in a Bogdan plant in Cherkassy region, and is expected to manufacture 200 to 1,000 vehicles per year under its brand starting from late 2013, according to the statement.

In mid-March, Kiev raised import duties on foreign cars to encourage domestic manufacturing and attract foreign automobile makers to open production bases in Ukraine.

Last year, a total of 76,281 vehicles were produced in Ukraine, down by 27.1 percent from 2011.