German tire and automotive components giant Continental AG put its 250 million euro ($271.58 million) expanded plant in Hefei, Anhui province, into operation on Tuesday.

The completion of the latest phase, brings total investment in the Hefei plant to 570 million euros. While its annual production capacity will be increased to 14 million tires in two years from the current 8 million, its employees will also double to more than 2,700.

As Continental's only factory in China, the Hefei plant, which mainly produces passenger and light-truck tires, is different from the company's other Asian plants in that it mainly supplies the domestic market.