Audi's 2nd China plant to start operations in Sept

SHANGHAI, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Volkswagen's (VOWG.DE) Audi expects its 1 billion yuan ($146.3 million) second China plant to start operations in September, which will double its capacity in the country to 200,000 units, a company representative said on Monday.

The plant, jointly built by the Volkswagen premier brand and its China partner FAW Group, will make Audi A4L and Q5 at the plant, the company representative said.

A4L, a derivative of Audi's popular mid-size sedan that sports a longer wheelbase, is now made at Audi's first China plant, also based in the northeastern city of Changchun, she said.

China has been a bright spot for global automakers hit badly by a sharp industry downturn as government's stimulus measures have effectively lifted consumer confidence.

Audi increased its deliveries to customers in China, its largest export market, by 11 percent to a record 66,866 vehicles in the first half, with sales in June up 28 percent to 13,265 vehicles, also an all-time best for that month. [ID:nL6146924]. ($1=6.834 Yuan) (Reporting by Fang Yan and Jacqueline Wong)