"Although the growth rate in China has contracted in recent months, we are thankful that customers continue to value the technologically advanced, fuel-efficient, high quality vehicles Ford offers here," said Nigel Harris, Vice President Ford China Distribution Operations.

 

In August 2011, Ford China sold 34,916 wholesale units, down seven percent from the same period last year.

 

Between January and August 2011, sales of Ford-brand vehicles at Changan Ford Mazda Automobile (CFMA), Ford Motor's passenger vehicle joint-venture in China, grew to 205,855 wholesale units, an increase of seven percent compared to the same period last year. Total CFMA sales were 25,528 vehicles in August, and 258,362 vehicles year to date, a three percent increase from the same period last year. 

 

The Ford Focus continued to exceed 10,000 wholesale units in monthly sales, making for 125,209 wholesale units sold between January and August 2011, up 16 percent from the same period last year. Following the introduction of the eco-friendly and award-winning EcoBoost engine and PowerShift transmission into the new Ford Mondeo, sales continued to demonstrate strong momentum, reaching 36,534 wholesale units from January to August 2011, an increase of ten percent over the same period last year.

 

Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China, sold 133,810 wholesale units so far this year, 14 percent higher than the same period last year. JMC sold 14,497 wholesale units in August 2011, continuing its steady performance, despite a contracting commercial vehicle market.

 

To accelerate future growth, Ford continues to make investments to expand its production capacity in China. Ford and its partners are currently developing four new plants in China: two vehicle assembly plants, one in Chongqing set to come online in 2012 and one in Nanchang set for production in 2013—as well an engine plant and a transmission plant, both in Chongqing.

Editor’s note: All sales figures quoted are based on wholesale numbers.