A plant in Dalian has become the second local production base in China for automaker Infiniti and its joint venture Dongfeng Infiniti, the company announced. It will start manufacturing its new luxury SUV models in 2018.

"China is Infiniti's second largest market in the world and the most important growing market," said Lu Yi, president of Dongfeng Infiniti during the ongoing Guangzhou Auto Show.

"It marks Infiniti's localization strategy to develop deeper as Dalian plant becomes the second domestic manufacturing base after the one in Xiangyang in Hubei province," he said.

Statistics from the automaker show that during the first 10 months of 2017, sales of China-made Infiniti vehicles reached 37,977, including 22,397 sport utility vehicles of Q50L and QX50.

Dongfeng Nissan Dalian Base obtained the Infiniti qualification certificate in March this year, meaning its manufacturing capability and quality control have reached the advanced level in the world and fully possesses Infiniti's localization capability.

Located in the Dalian Free Trade Zone of Northeast China's Liaoning province, the base now employs more than 1,400 people. The first phase is complete now, with an annual output of 110,000 vehicles.

It is capable of stamping, welding, painting and assembly. It also boasts an advanced test track that can fully test the vehicles' dynamic performance.