Ford Continues China Expansion, Sales Up 13% This Year

Ford Fiesta

SHANGHAI, China – Despite slower industry growth rates in an increasingly competitive market, Ford Motor China reported sales of 306,830 wholesale units from January to July 2011, up 13 percent from the same period last year.

Ford Motor China sold 32,320 wholesale units in July 2011, a three percent increase over July 2010.

"By offering more high quality, stylish and fuel-efficient cars people want and value, and expanding our retail operations in tier two and three cities at a rate of two new dealerships every week, we've performed ahead of the market so far this year," said Joe Hinrichs, president of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa, and Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor China.

"As the industry growth rate in China continues to stabilize, it helps us better align capacity with demand. As part of our aggressive expansion in China, we are bringing 15 new vehicles here by 2015, and are in the process of building four new plants here with our partners." Hinrichs added.

Changan Ford Mazda Automobile (CFMA), Ford Motor's passenger vehicle joint-venture in China, sold 185,542 Ford-brand wholesale units from January to July 2011, a nine percent increase from the same period last year. These results were led by strong sales of the Ford Focus and the Ford Fiesta, which have sold 112,565 and 37,233 wholesale units, respectively.

Since it was introduced two years ago, Fiesta has sold more than 150,000 units in China. More than 15 million Fiestas have been produced globally since it was first introduced in 1976.

CFMA sold 18,303 Ford-brand wholesale vehicles in July, maintaining steady sales compared to July 2010. Total CFMA sales were 23,716 vehicles in July, and 232,834 vehicles for the first seven months this year.

Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China, sold 119,313 wholesale units from January to July this year, an 18 percent increase from the same period last year. JMC sold 14,009 wholesale units in July 2011, a seven percent increase from July 2010.

Ford will introduce 15 new vehicles and more than double the number of its dealerships in China by 2015. It is also doubling its professional workforce in China during the same period.

Together with its partners, Ford is building assembly, engine and transmission plants in Chongqing, and an assembly plant in Nanchang.

Photo: Ford

(11 August, 2011)

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