Ford China sells over half-a-million vehicles in H1, 2014

Ford China has raced to a record first half, with 549,256 vehicles sold in the first six months of 2014, up 35 percent compared to 407,474 sold during the same period last year.

Driven by continued strong demand for the Focus, Kuga, Mondeo and the EcoSport, Ford China’s June sales increased 17 percent with 87,783 vehicles sold, up from 75,166 sold in the same period last year.

“Ford’s strong sales in the first half demonstrate the success of our accelerated China growth plan,” said John Lawler, chairman and CEO of Ford China. “We continue to grow our sales network, increase capacity and hire great employees – all to deliver the high quality, safety, fuel efficiency and smart technologies that Chinese customers demand.”

Changan Ford (CAF), Ford’s passenger car joint venture, also enjoyed a record first half, selling 397,958 vehicles, up 39 percent from the 286,433 vehicles sold in the first half of 2013. CAF’s June sales reached 67,187 vehicles, up 23 percent compared to 54,774 sold in June 2013.

The Focus continued to lead CAF sales in the first half with 201,464 units sold, up nine percent from 185,648 unit sales in the first half of 2013. June sales for the Focus reached 33,614 vehicles, up seven percent from June 2013.

The Mondeo also sold well in the first half, with 59,726 vehicles sold, a 124 percent increase compared to the 26,691 sold in the first half of 2013. June sales for the Mondeo nameplate reached 10,044 vehicles, a 168 percent increase from June 2013.

Sales for the Kuga and EcoSport SUVs were also up in the first half. Kuga sales rose 78 percent in the first six months with 66,225 wholesales sold. June sales for the Kuga reached 10,901 vehicles, up 18 percent from the same period last year. EcoSport sales more than doubled in the first six months, increasing 103 percent from a year earlier with 33,403 vehicles sold. June sales for the EcoSport were also up, increasing 28 percent from June 2013 with 7,201 vehicles sold.

During the first half of 2014, Ford China saw a 70 percent increase in sales for its imported passenger vehicles, the Focus ST, Fiesta ST, Edge and Explorer to 18,360 vehicles compared to 10,811 in the first half of 2013.

Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), Ford's commercial vehicle operation in China, delivered its best first-half performance, selling 132,938 vehicles, a 21 percent increase from 110,230 sold in the first six months of 2013. June sales were up 19 percent with 19,012 vehicles sold compared to 16,022 sold in June 2013.

As part of its accelerated China growth plan, last month Ford opened its US$350 million (Rs 2,092 crore) transmission plant in Chongqing. Ford’s first transmission plant in the Asia-Pacific region, the Changan Ford Transmission Plant (CAFTP) will produce 400,000 units a year to help meet growing domestic demand. In June, the Ford also launched 88 new dealerships across China in one day, taking its total count of dealer points in China to 750.

Photograph: The Focus ST in China