Chinese JVs for Nissan and Volvo

Nissan and Volvo have both signed major new joint venture deals with Chinese car and truck makers. The large Nissan JV aims to be producing more than 550,000 cars and trucks by 2006.

Nissan's $2bn joint venture with Dongfeng of China will begin operating on July 1, with Carlos Ghosn, Nissan chief executive, calling the Chinese market the carmaker's "new frontier".

And Volvo is to become the first western heavy truck maker to establish a manufacturing plant in China as a result of a joint venture announced on Monday with China National Heavy Truck Corporation.