Automotive firm Ford has confirmed it is planning to ramp up production in China as it seeks to capitalise on a growing market and ensure it maintains pace with its main rivals.

Executives say Ford will more than triple its output in the country, underlining once again the huge potential in the market.

Ford Motor Company plans to make 65,000 units in the country in 2004, which is still just a fraction of General Motors' total output in the region, but indicative of the growing confidence in China among the automotive industry.

Mark Schulz, executive vice president of Ford Asia, told Reuters that the company was planning a steady period of growth "built on solid foundations".

Ahead of the Beijing Auto Show, he told reporters: "Long-term success takes patience and prudence."

Changan Ford president Ron Tyack added that Ford would invest over $1 billion in China in coming years, with approval for a second plant pending.

Taken together, GM, Volkswagen AG and Toyota Motor plan to spend about $13 billion in China, with analysts anticipating a major boom in production.