Ford Posts Record September and Year-To-Date Sales in Asia Pacific and Africa Region

SHANGHAI, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

• Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa region posted record sales in September of 78,700 units, a 27 percent increase, and sales of 651,856 so far this year, an increase of 40 percent

• In China and India, Ford sold 482,129 vehicles so far this year, a 50 percent increase

• Led by strong demand for the all-new Ford Fiesta, sales in Thailand more than tripled from the same month a year ago, rising 264 percent to 2,049 units

Led by the launch of the new Ford Fiesta in Southeast Asia and its growing product lineup in the region, Ford Motor Company's Asia Pacific and Africa region reported record sales in September and for the first three quarters of 2010.

Ford had its best monthly sales result in the Asia Pacific and Africa region in September, selling 78,700 units, an increase of 27 percent compared to September last year.  It sold 651,856 vehicles in the region in the first three quarters, an increase of 40 percent compared to the same time last year.

"With the launch of the new Fiesta in Southeast Asia and the continued strong growth in India and China, we had our best sales month ever in the Asia Pacific and Africa region," said Joe Hinrichs, president of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa.  "We are gratified that consumers in Asia and Africa continue to choose the high quality, fuel efficient, fun-to-drive vehicles Ford offers. We are working hard to expand sales and production capacity, and to offer more of the vehicles from our global portfolio to markets in this region."

In China and India combined, Ford sold 482,129 vehicles so far this year, a 50 percent increase compared to January – September 2009.

Led by strong demand for the all-new Ford Fiesta, sales in Thailand more than tripled from the same month a year ago, rising 264 percent to 2,049 units. The new Fiesta lived up to its pre-launch buzz with more than 3,500 orders. The September sales total marked Ford Thailand's best monthly performance since December 2007.

China Sales

In China, Ford and its joint ventures reported sales of 50,970 units in September, a 26 percent increase from September 2009. During the first three quarters, Ford and its partners sold 419,073 vehicles in China, an increase of 40 percent compared to January – September in 2009.  

India Sales

In India, led by the hot-selling Ford Figo, which just reached a production milestone of 50,000 units, Ford doubled its sales for the month and tripled its sales for the year.  Ford sold 8,380 units in September in India, an increase of 146 percent compared to September 2009. During the first three quarters it sold 63,056 vehicles, an increase of 188 percent from January - September 2009.  

Ford expects 70 percent of its growth in the next ten years to come from its Asia Pacific and Africa region.  

Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa region encompasses markets on three continents, including Australia, China, India, Thailand and South Africa.  Industry sales in the region are expected to increase from 16 million units in 2009, to an estimated 35 million units by 2018.  

Ford has invested $4 billion since 2006 in the region and employs more than 25,000 people here.  

In India, Ford has invested $500 million this year to double production capacity, launch the hot-selling Ford Figo, expand exports, and increase engine production capacity to 250,000 units.

It is building two new vehicle plants in China; one in Chongqing with its joint venture Changan Ford Mazda Automotive (CFMA), and one in Nanchang with Jiangling Motors Corp (JMC).

The $300 million JMC assembly plant will have the capacity to produce up to 300,000 vehicles per year and will produce both Ford- and JMC-branded vehicles. A strategic partner in producing Commercial Vehicles in China, JMC is 30 percent owned by Ford.

Ford is aggressively expanding in Thailand as well.  Construction is underway for a new $450 million Ford assembly plant scheduled for completion in 2012, and last month Ford and Mazda Motor Corporation announced an investment of $350 million in their Auto Alliance Thailand (AAT) joint venture to support the production of next generation pickup trucks. The all new Ford Ranger will make its global debut this week at the Australian International Motor Show.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 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. 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