[BEIJING] With 100 years of aviation heritage, Piaggio Aero Industries has only ever made planes in its native Italy. Now, the supplier of private aircraft for the Ferrari motor racing team is looking into a new joint venture far from home - manufacturing in China.

With the Ferrari family still owning a small stake, Piaggio Aero has talked to Chinese state companies and provincial government officials about setting up a joint venture to make planes, according to Giuliano Felten, its chief commercial officer.

If Piaggio Aero finds a partner, it will join a growing string of smaller aircraft makers who have drawn inspiration from the way global carmakers teamed up with local partners over 20 years ago, eventually turning China into the world's biggest car market.