Ford Announces Expanding Operations, New Cars For China Market

Mei-Wei Cheng, vice president of Ford Motor Company and chairman and CEO of Ford Motor China, announced that says that the official start of volume production at the Changan Ford Mazda Engine Company will come very soon.

Cheng also said the vehicle production at the new Nanjing facility, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Company will begin before the end of the year; the third generation Ford Mondeo will start production at Changan Ford Mazda Automobile's Chongqing plant later this year; and an all-new Ford small car will be produced at Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Company Nanjing plant in 2008.

Additionally, Cheng referred to Ford Motor Research & Engineering ( Nanjing) Co. Ltd. in his speech, which received government approval in March, and its role as an integral part of Ford Motor Company's global research and design, he said this new operation will enhance Ford China's local engineering capabilities, as well as strengthening the sourcing capability for manufacturing in China and to support Ford Motor's global manufacturing.

"These collective announcements underscore Ford Motor's commitment to the China market and China's growing importance to our overall global strategy. Ford Motor China now encompasses one of the most comprehensive and competitive operations in the Chinese market, including full-scale vehicle and engine production; research, development and engineering; sales; aftersales services; and auto financing. Our local partnerships and the smooth implementation of our China strategy have greatly contributed to Ford becoming a leader of China's automobile market," said Cheng.

Ford Motor Company and its five affiliated brands are showcasing 52 exciting vehicles at its Auto Shanghai 2007 stand. In addition to the third generation Mondeo, Ford will showcase its 'kinetic design' language with the sculpted 5-door iosis X sports crossover concept; the CFMA produced S-MAX; and the C-MAX, which is making its first China appearance. The wildly-popular Ford Focus lineup will also be featured on the Ford stand, including the 2007 Focus, the European-imported Focus ST, 2006 Focus RS ' World Rally Car' , and the Focus China Circuit Championship Racing Car.

Ford Motor Company and CFMA have become one of the leaders in China's burgeoning auto industry, recording an impressive 86.6 percent year-on-year increase in China market sales for 2006, far ahead of the overall industry average. CFMA's first quarter sales have totaled 38,908 units, or a 40.8 percent increase over the same period a year ago.

Ford Motor Company manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. The company's automotive brands available in the China market include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, and Volvo, as well as automotive-related services that include QualityCare, and Ford Credit via Ford Automotive Financing (China) Company.