WUHAN, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Canadian auto parts firm Wescast Industries Inc. has set up a production base in China, which went into operation on Tuesday in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province.

    With an investment of 99 million U.S. dollars, the solely-funded Wescast Industries (China) Co. Ltd is expected to manufacture and export 8 million auto part products annually.

    Wescast, a leading supplier of cast exhaust manifolds for passenger cars and light trucks, has seven production bases in North America, Europe and Asia.

    Wescast Chairman Ed Frackowiak said the Wuhan base was considering supplying auto parts for the Chinese market in the future.

    "As China's vehicle assembly capacity increases, so do the business opportunities for Canadian manufacturers to supply components and modules," said Susan Gregson, Canadian consul general in Shanghai.

    Wuhan Vice Mayor Yue Yong said the Wescast production base would benefit the development of local auto industry.