TI Automotive, the global supplier of automotive fluid systems, opened its newest fuel tank systems production facility earlier this month in Guangzhou, China.

The 6,200-square-metre facility is TI Automotive’s second fuel tank production facility within China and produces blow-moulded plastic fuel tanks for Nissan, Toyota, Peugeot Citröen and Qoros.

The new Guangzhou facility is representative of the growth within the plastic fuel tank segment of the automotive industry.

“As global automakers look to reduce weight and improve emissions, plastic fuel tanks play a major role,” said Hans Dieltjens, executive vice-president, Fuel Tank Systems, TI Automotive. “During the past decade, TI Automotive has developed some of the most advanced blow-molding production technology in the industry and have been producing award-winning products that improve packaging and component placement, while reducing emissions and weight.”

This is TI Automotive’s 15th facility within China, which continues to be a growth region for the company.

“China and the Asia-Pacific region will continue to play a key role in our growth,” said Bill Kozyra, chairman, CEO and president, TI Automotive. “We established our first facility in China in 1985 and now have an excellent footprint here, but we expect this to grow as our customers increase their reach within the region.”

During the past five years, TI Automotive has opened new facilities in the Czech Republic, Mexico, Russia and in additional locations in China to meet industry expansion. The company employs 40 people at the Guangzhou facility.