Ford posts strong sales in China

Retail sales of Ford-brand vehicles in China are up 25 per cent since last year.

According to Ford Motor China, sales of Ford, Lincoln, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover cars have accounted for total retail sales of 93,206 since January 2007. This is a 25 per cent increase over the same period of 2006, outpacing China's auto industry average.

Ford's passenger car joint venture in China, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co (CFMA), reported a significant 57 per cent year-on-year wholesale sales growth to reach 93,587 units, including the various brands it manufactures. Ford brand vehicles, both domestically produced and imported, passenger cars and commercial vehicles altogether, achieved total sales of 84,208 units; a 22 per cent increase on the YOY basis.

Strong sales were attributed to the Focus hatch; its six-month retail sales volume of 55,676 units representing a 66 per cent growth over the same period last year, and the S-Max 'Sports Activity Vehicle' which was launched in China in March.

CFMA says the strong results should continue with the addition to the local line-up of an all-new small car and the third-generation Mondeo, which is scheduled for domestic production at the end of the year.

The Ford Transit, which is produced for the Chinese market by Jiangling Motor Corporation in Nanchang, continues to lead the light commercial vehicle segment in the mid-to-high-end light van segment, while Ford's premium brands Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover have become "significant players in China's luxury vehicle market" with a sales increase of 66 per cent on the YOY basis.

Sales of Ford brand vehicles have also been helped with increased retail financing for dealers and buyers. Ford Automotive Finance (China) Ltd is now operating in 50 cities, through 110 Ford brand dealers. According to Ford, total credit line of 129 approved CFMA dealers (including its wholesale business) amounts to several billion yuan.

"The first half of 2007 witnessed a significant phase of Ford Motor in China. The establishment of Ford Motor Research and Engineering Nanjing Co, Ltd and the launch of Changan Ford Mazda Engine Company underscore the commitments that Ford Motor has made to the China auto market," said Mei-Wei Cheng, Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor (China) Ltd.

CFMA first made China's top ten list in April this year, with 20,000 sales for the month to take seventh place. Rankings for June have not yet been released.

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