Ford China sales up 55% in October on strong Focus demand
Ford Motor Co. says sales of its Chinese joint ventures soared 55 percent year-on-year to 93,969 units in October on robust demand for the Focus compact sedan.
Changan Ford Automobile, Ford's passenger car joint venture, sold 70,173 units last month, up 61 percent. Changan Ford got a lift from strong sales of the Ford Mondeo, which was launched in August.
The partnership also reported strong demand for its SUV lineup of the Explorer, Kuga and EcoSport.
Jiangling Motors Corp., Ford's commercial truck partnership, sold 21,724 units, up 36 percent. Jiangling Motors makes and sells the Ford Transit van.
In the first ten months, Ford's joint ventures sold 741,818 units, up 52 percent year-on-year.
After a slow start in China, Ford is spending heavily to catch up to General Motors and Volkswagen AG.
To maintain sales growth, the company will double the number of Ford-brand dealerships to 800 by mid-decade. Much of that expansion will be in smaller cities in China's western region.
Ford also is preparing to launch its Lincoln luxury brand in China. The company has awarded franchises to 10 dealers, and four of those stores will be open when Lincoln debuts in China late next year.
The first dealerships will be in eastern cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
The partnership also reported strong demand for its SUV lineup of the Explorer, Kuga and EcoSport.
Jiangling Motors Corp., Ford's commercial truck partnership, sold 21,724 units, up 36 percent. Jiangling Motors makes and sells the Ford Transit van.
In the first ten months, Ford's joint ventures sold 741,818 units, up 52 percent year-on-year.
After a slow start in China, Ford is spending heavily to catch up to General Motors and Volkswagen AG.
To maintain sales growth, the company will double the number of Ford-brand dealerships to 800 by mid-decade. Much of that expansion will be in smaller cities in China's western region.
Ford also is preparing to launch its Lincoln luxury brand in China. The company has awarded franchises to 10 dealers, and four of those stores will be open when Lincoln debuts in China late next year.
The first dealerships will be in eastern cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
