China's FAW sees 2008 output at over 1.8 mln units

BEIJING, March 7 (Reuters) - FAW Group, a Volkswagen AG (VOWG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) partner in China, expects output in 2008 to exceed 1.8 million units, said on Friday the mayor of Changchun, the home of the company's headquarters.

That would mark about a 22 percent jump over 2007.

Cui Jie made the comment to reporters on the sidelines of the country's annual legislative meeting.

FAW, which also runs a car venture with Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), produced 1.47 million units in 2007. It sold 166,518 vehicles in January, beating its monthly target of 145,000 units.

The company has a target to reach production capacity of three million units by 2010.

FAW, which includes listed unit FAW Car Co. Ltd. 000800.SZ 000927.SZ, also has manufacturing joint ventures with Toyota Motor Co. (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz). ($=7.11 yuan) (Reporting by Pili Zou; editing by Ken Wills)