Ford China Q1 Sales Jump 84 Percent to All-Time Quarterly Best

SHANGHAI, April 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

• Ford Motor Company's joint-ventures and wholly-owned entities in China delivered record sales of 153,362 units in the first quarter, an increase of 84 percent from a year ago.

• Ford Motor's passenger car joint venture, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile, recorded its best-ever first-quarter sales of 108,131 units, an increase of 89 percent year-on-year

• Ford Motor's commercial vehicle investment, Jiangling Motors Corporation, registered record sales of 41,300 units, with sales of Ford Transit dramatically up 64 percent from a year ago to 11,438 units

• Ford will showcase an impressive array of new products and exciting technologies, including the new Ford Edge featuring MyFord Touch^™ and next generation Focus for the China market, at upcoming Beijing Auto Show

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) delivered its best-ever quarterly performance during the first quarter, with sales of its joint ventures and wholly-owned entities increasing 84 percent over the same period last year to 153,362 units. The record quarter was fueled by the continued strength of Ford brand passenger cars and commercial vehicles, which achieved robust first quarter growth of 75 percent from the period last year to 88,084 units.

"We are pleased that our continuing momentum helped get 2010 off to such an exceptional beginning," said Robert Graziano, chairman and CEO of Ford Motor China. "Chinese consumers appreciate the products developed under the ONE Ford plan and our efforts to provide a full product lineup of Ford vehicles that are class-leading in quality, fuel efficiency, safety, styling and drivability." 

Changan Ford Mazda Automobile (CFMA), Ford Motor's passenger car joint venture in China, also delivered an all-time quarterly performance with sales that surged 89 percent versus the first quarter last year to 108,131 units. CFMA's best-ever quarter benefited from strong sales across its full product lineup.

The continued popularity of Ford Fiesta among China's young generation helped the nameplate achieve record monthly sales during the quarter. In March, Fiesta sales reached an all-time high of 7,448 units, boosting its total China sales to 66,810 units since it was introduced last year. Fiesta sales were fueled by the March introduction of the new four-door Fiesta 1.3L, further expanding consumer choice for this sporty and stylish car.

Ford Focus also sales delivered strong March sales, increasing 47 percent from the same period last year to 14,793 units. The unwavering popularity of Focus was highlighted earlier this week with celebrations being held in Chonqing to mark the production milestone of 500,000 units. The Ford Mondeo and Ford S-MAX nameplates also achieved solid double-digit growth in the first quarter, with sales that increased by 48 and 56 percent, respectively, versus the same period a year ago.

Sales of Ford Transit rose a dramatic 64 percent on an annual basis during the first quarter to 11,438 units, helping Ford Motor's commercial vehicle investment in China, Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), achieve overall first quarter sales of 41,300 units.

"It's clear that Chinese consumers truly appreciate the experience that our world-class Ford vehicles and technologies deliver," added Graziano. "We will be further expanding our Ford offerings by unveiling an impressive array of new products and technologies at the Beijing Auto Show, including the new Ford Edge featuring MyFord Touch^™ and the next-generation Ford Focus for the China market."

About Ford Motor in China

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 198,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's wholly owned brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and, until its sale, Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.

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 Automobile Co., Ltd., Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. Nanjing Company, Changan Ford Mazda Engine Co., Ltd. and Jiangling Motors Co., Ltd.

For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com and www.ford.com.cn.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company