Changchun, an "auto city" in northeast China, plans to more than double annual vehicle production capacity of local automakers to 3 million units by 2015, Xinhua News reported today, citing a city official.

About 1.22 million vehicles were produced last year in the capital of Jilin province, more than 800,000 units made by China FAW Group Corp, the country's second-largest carmaker. The auto industry accounts for 70% of the industrial output of Changchun, where FAW Group is headquartered.

The government will support China FAW Group to expand capacity and set up joint ventures to meet the target, according to Zhou Yongze, deputy head of the provincial Industry and Information Technology Bureau, speaking at an industry conference. Several plants or expansion projects with a total capacity of 800,000 units are under construction.

The government will unveil preferential policies to boost research and development on new energy vehicles as the nation seeks to transform the development pattern of economy, Zhou added.

China FAW Group, established in 1953, produced China's first domestic model of truck, under the Jiefang (Liberation) brand in 1956 and later produced Hongqi (Red Flag) bulletproof sedans, which have been used by state leaders.