French supplier Valeo has opened a starter plant in Shanghai, China, IHS Automotive reported in its weekly supplier newsletter.

The 80,000-square-meter plant is run by a joint venture between Valeo and Huayu Automotive Systems Co. The partnership mostly sells starters and electrical generators, IHS Automotive said.

The joint venture, Shanghai Valeo Automotive Electrical Systems, was launched in 1995.

Valeo China now has 26 factories and 14,000 employees. Last year, the company’s sales in China totaled $1.9 billion (12 billion yuan).

Aside from starters and generators, the supplier produces powertrain components and lighting, heating and cooling systems.