Ford Motor China Sales Rise 30 Percent in 2007, Outpacing Industry in Growing Market
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- For full-year 2007, Ford Motor Company retail sales in China totaled 216,324 units, a 30 percent year-over-year increase that outpaced the overall auto industry.
- Ford's passenger car joint-venture, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd., increased wholesale volume by 60 percent.
- Ford Focus is the fastest growing mid-size car in the market and one of the top 10 selling vehicles in the Chinese market.
SHANGHAI, China, Jan. 8 -- Ford Motor Company took a major step forward in China in 2007, posting a 30 percent year-over-year sales increase and outpacing the industry in the fast-growing market.
Overall, Ford-owned brands -- Ford, Lincoln, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover -- sold 216,324 units for the year, a record for Ford Motor (China) Ltd. Ford's strong performance in China in 2007 was highlighted by strong sales of the Ford Focus and the introduction of the new S-MAX in March and Mondeo in November.
Ford's passenger car joint-venture, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. (CFMA), also posted a record year with wholesale deliveries rising 60 percent to 217,100 vehicles. CFMA produces Ford, Volvo and Mazda vehicles for the Chinese market.
"We are pleased with our growth in China," said Mei-Wei Cheng, Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor (China) Ltd. "What is more satisfying is that the growth is built on a sustainable base."
Ford and its joint-venture partners operate three vehicle assembly plants and one engine manufacturing plant in China. Ford operations in China also include an automotive financing company, a Nanjing-based sourcing and R&D center and extensive sales and service operations. The first Chinese-built Ford passenger car, the Ford Fiesta, was introduced in China in 2003.
"We will continue to invest in China and expand our operations to prepare for the next phase of our strategic growth program," Cheng said. "We plan to continue to grow at a fast pace to further strengthen our position in China's auto market."
Ford's lineup in China Focus
The Ford Focus was the fastest growing mid-sized car in China in 2007 and one of the 10 best selling cars in the market. Focus sales rose 57 percent in 2007 to 124,972 units. The Focus is also one of the safest cars in the market, earning a five-star rating in the C-NCAP collision test.
S-MAX
Ford launched the S-MAX SAV in March. To improve the value for customers, the S-Max with flexible seating for seven received a significant upgrade in standard features in December.
Mondeo
The all-new Mondeo sedan entered the Chinese mid-size premium segment in early November and has already established itself with customers. Lauded for its design and driving dynamics, the Mondeo reached 14,845 sales in China in just six weeks on the market.
Retail Sales Growth of Ford Motor Company in China
2007 2006 Annualized growth
FMC China (not including Mazda) 216,324 166,664 30% (rounded)
Ford Brand /Lincoln 196,221 155,750 26% (rounded)
Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover 20,103 10,914 84%
Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Wholesale Results
2007 2006 Annualized growth
Changan Ford Mazda Automobile
Models: Ford Focus, Ford S-MAX, 217,100 135,597 60% (wholesale)
Ford Mondeo, Mazda3 and Volvo S40
About Ford Motor in China
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S.A., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. The company's automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit and Ford Service. Ford Motor Company celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2003.
Ford's wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and investment in China include Ford Motor (China) Limited, Ford Motor Research & Engineering (Nanjing) Co., Ltd., Ford Automotive Finance (China) Ltd., Changan Ford Mazda Automotive Co., Ltd., Changan Ford Mazda Automotive Co., Ltd., Nanjing Company, Changan Ford Mazda Engine Co., Ltd., and Jiangling Motors Co., Ltd.