Ford Motor China's First-Half Sales Up 53 Percent to an All-Time High

SHANGHAI, July 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) has delivered its best ever first-half new vehicle sales of 301,524 units in China during the first six months of 2010. The record-setting performance delivered robust growth of 53 percent compared to sales figures from January to June 2009.

• Ford China rang up record first-half sales of 301,524 units, an increase of 53 percent from a year ago
• Ford's passenger car joint venture in China, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile, delivered record sales of 205,563 units in the first half, an increase of 46 percent year-on-year
• Ford Motor China's commercial vehicle investment, Jiangling Motors Corporation, registered record sales of 88,363 units, with sales of Ford Transit rising dramatically, up 78 percent from a year ago to 25,227 units
• The 2011 Ford Focus was introduced in June, with 2 new models available and substantial enhancements in safety, environmental friendliness, comfort and value
• Ford will introduce the Ford Mondeo with 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine and PowerShift transmission, and the new Ford Edge featuring MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology to the China market later this year

"The continued strong sales numbers are very rewarding for the entire Ford team, who are working hard to build great cars," said Robert Graziano, chairman and CEO, Ford Motor China. "We are very pleased that more and more Chinese consumers are choosing the stylish, fuel-efficient, high quality vehicles Ford and our joint ventures offer in China."

Changan Ford Mazda Automobile (CFMA), Ford Motor's passenger car joint venture in China, reported record sales of 205,563 units in the first six months of 2010, an increase of 46 percent versus the same period last year. Ford passenger car sales surged 46 percent to 151,779 units.

The popularity of the Ford Fiesta among China's young generation helped the nameplate continue to gain market share. In the first six months of 2010, the trendy compact car racked up strong sales of 38,669 units, an increase of 113 percent year-on-year. A total of 86,053 Fiestas have been sold in China since the model was introduced last year.

Sales of the Ford Focus are continuing at a brisk pace, with more than 10,000 units a month, on average. Consistently strong sales helped the Focus secure a top-10 position in the highly competitive mid-size car market. This growth is expected to continue following the launch of the 2011 Ford Focus in June, with two new models on offer and substantial enhancements in safety, environmental friendliness and comfort. Competitively priced between RMB104,800 and RMB148,800, the Focus now offers even greater value for money, and brings the promise of car ownership within reach of more consumers.  

The Ford Mondeo and Ford S-MAX nameplates also showed steady growth in the first half of 2010. Sales increased by 26 and 24 percent, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

In the commercial vehicle sector, the Ford Transit is still the leader in the high-end light commercial van segment. Its first-half sales rose a dramatic 78 percent on an annual basis to 25,227 units, helping Ford Motor's commercial vehicle investment in China, Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), achieve a 66 percent year-on-year sales increase to 88,363 units in the first six months, far outpacing the industry.

"Vehicle sales in China are expected to remain strong in the second half of 2010, with upgraded new products arriving this year, like the Ford Mondeo with 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine and PowerShift transmission, and the new Ford Edge featuring MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology," Graziano added. ''Our customers are very discerning and appreciate the great value our vehicles offer in terms of price and fuel economy. Chinese motorists also enjoy the fact that our products are fashionable and fun to drive. When Chinese customers experience our vehicles and services, they can feel the difference."

Editor's Notes:

1. All sales figures quoted are based on wholesale numbers.
2. Sales data of Volvo is still included in Ford Motor China's H1 sales figures. Ford Motor China H1 sales, excluding Volvo, are 285,991 units.

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 176,000 employees and about 80 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010, 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 and 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