Cars

Ford China's August sales up 24%

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-09-03 15:54

Ford and its Chinese joint ventures reported sales of 44,047 units in August in China, a 24 percent increase year-on-year,according to data from Ford Motor Co.

From January to August this year, Ford has sold 368,103 vehicles, a 42 percent increase from the same period last year.

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Strong demand for Ford's new products in China and India, two of the world's fastest-growing automotive markets, led to sales of 51,972 vehicles in August in the two countries, a 37 percent increase year-on-year.

So far this year, Ford has sold 422,779 vehicles in the two countries combined, a 52 percent increase over the same period last year.

In the next 10 years, Ford expects 70 percent of its growth to come from its Asia Pacific and Africa region.

"We have big plans for India, China and the region," said Joe Hinrichs, president of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. "China will remain the largest car market in the world for the foreseeable future, and we estimate India will be the third-largest market in the world in the next 10 years."

Ford is building two new plants in China: one in Chongqing with Changan Ford Mazda Automotive, and one in Nanchang with Jiangling Motors Corp (JMC).

The $300 million Nanchang plant is expected to have the capacity to produce up to 300,000 vehicles per year and will produce both Ford- and JMC-branded vehicles. JMC is a strategic partner of Ford in producing commercial vehicles, and 30 percent of the company is owned by Ford.