Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. based in northeast China's Liaoning province plans to build the largest complete vehicle production base in the west part of the country to support the regional economic development.

It will increase investment in its Mianyang auto plant in southwest China's Sichuan province said sources with Brilliance Auto. Brilliance’s South Production Base, or the Huarui auto project in Mianyang, which was hit by the strong earthquake in May has gone into operation days ago.

The first batch of Jinbei light passenger vehicles, 09 CUVs, and pickups rolled off production lines there were donated to five quake-stricken schools including the Beichuan Middle School.

Brilliance Auto said West China has always been a focus of its strategic auto development plan. The Mianyang auto plant started construction in July 2007, designed to produce pickups and Jinbei SUVs, light passengers and light trucks for export. The annual output is expected to reach 60,000 units in the first phase and hit 100,000 by 2010.

Though hurt by the earthquake in May 2008, Mianyang auto plant will not reduce but expand its production with more money put in, said Brilliance.