China To Get Locally Built Mustang Mach-E SUVs This Year

American automotive manufacturer Ford Motor Co. will build its electric Mustang Mach-E sport utility vehicle in China. Ford intends to compete with Tesla, Inc.'s crossover Model Y in the world's largest electric vehicle market.

Ford will build the Mustang at a proposed local factory - part of the company's $11.5 billion spending in the EV sector through 2022.

Ford said the China-made Mach-E will include a 2.98-meter wheelbase version with a range of more than 600 kilometers on a single charge. Ford will also build a GT performance version but in limited numbers.

The GT will feature a proprietary front and rear dual-motor and a zero-to-100-kilometers-an-hour time of over three seconds.

The model for the China market will be assembled by Changan Ford - an equal joint venture between Ford and Changan Automobile Co. Ltd.

The Mach-E will be manufactured in Chongqing. Ford expects the vehicles to be available later this year.

It will be a formidable challenger in the country's premium electric vehicle segment, Ford China's head of electric vehicles, Zhu Jiang, said in a statement.

"Years ago, (Tesla and Nio) were challengers to the established auto industry. Now we are challengers in the field of electric vehicles," Zhu said.

The Mach-E is the company's big bet in the EV segment. Apart from its power train the Mach-E will feature advanced technologies developed by Ford. This includes its latest infotainment system and a driver-assist system.

Ford delivered its first Mach-E in the U.S. in January. It intends to build 50,000 a month for the North American market. The company didn't say how many it would make in China.