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Ford making strong move into China

By David Zalstein |
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The Chinese-built Ford Focus will join three new SUVs at Ford’s stand at the upcoming Beijing motor show exhibiting the brand’s aggressive strategy to crack the largest car market in the world.

The four models are the first of 15 new Fords bound for the Chinese market by 2015 and will follow in the footsteps of the currently available Ford Edge SUV.

Along with the Focus, the 2013 Ford Kuga (pictured below), due to hit Australian shores early in 2013, is also expected to be included in the line-up.

Proving just how significant the market is to Ford’s new strategy, the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Company, a joint venture between Ford, Mazda and Chongqing Changan Automobile, recently invested $US600 million ($583 million) into the Chinese plant to increase production for the future.

The goal is to raise annual production to 950,000 vehicles annually by 2014, an increase of more than 50 per cent, helping to achieve its global target of selling eight million cars per year by 2015.

Ford will offer a Mandarin-language version of its SYNC hands-free, voice-activated connectivity system in its new Chinese-built Focus for the first time when it reaches Chinese showrooms this quarter.

The move into China follows Ford Australia’s confirmation that it will look to export about 100 Territory Titanium diesel models per year to Thailand.


 
  • Andrew M

    is this increased production for the chinese market only or are they building up export deals from this plant

  • 440 R/T Charger

    FORD have to work hard….GM ahead of them for a long long way…………

    • Andrew M

      GM ahead in what way? Volume?
      Well Ford is ahead in profit.
      Last time I checked GM sat 4th in profit

  • eveready

    I might also add, the knowledge, management
    and engineering for this is being spearheading largely with Ford Australia or
    ex Ford Australia personnel.

  • Acfsambo

    Random question (and google could answer this, I’m just lazy) what side of the road to the Chinese drive on?

    • coolbeans

      Right side, so Ford Territory exports are out of the question, if that’s what you were getting at.

      • Acfsambo

        Was thinking Falcon/Territory, but oh well.

  • Bigbird

    I do hope Ford Australia will be included in these future ventures.
    Not just as a base for importing vehicles but, to play a part in design and engineering for the future.
    We know the Falcon is gone. The Territory’s days are numbered also.
    It’s understood they can’t support our niche market anymore, so hopefully they support our engineers and Industry in general.

  • Adelaide_john

    lets put this in persepctive
    Ford wants to increase production in China to 950,000
    versus
    100 Territorys to Thailand
    I miss why the Territory to Thailand sales needed to be included ?

    • Shak

      I tend to agree with you. Ford Australia obviously seem to want to export so why not export to a market Like China that would easily lap up any Falcons or Territories we send their way. Thailand even with its supposed “FTA” is tiny compared to China and costs are higher due to those taxes levied on cars with larger engines. From what i remember, China does have some similar taxes but again the volume could potentially be much greater so it would make more sense…The only problem would be converting the cars to LHD :P

      • Bo

        Firstly, I hardly see any market share for Falcons in China, Territories may or may not have its slice although maybe a small percentage while there are many other rivals. Secondly, China has imposed tax such as “Chinese consumers who buy cars with engine capacities of more than four liters will be required to pay a consumption tax of 20 percent”.