[Bloggin]

Ford Breaks Annual and Monthly Sales Records in China
More than 1.1 Million Sold in 2014
Ford China

Jan-08-2015 1:15 AM ET

​SHANGHAI, China — In 2014, Ford sold a record 1,114,669 vehicles in China, up 19 percent from 935,812 sold in 2013. Record-breaking monthly sales lifted annual performance, with 107,244 vehicles sold, up 13 percent from 94,837 in December 2013.

“Ford has had a very strong year in China as we have continued to grow sales, capacity, product portfolio, and market share,” said John Lawler, chairman and CEO, Ford Motor China. “Ending 2014 on such a high note sets the stage for 2015, which will see us continue to accelerate our China growth plan, bringing Chinese drivers the high-quality, safe, fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient, and smart vehicles they’ve come to expect from Ford.”

Changan Ford Automobile (CAF), Ford's passenger car joint venture, also broke annual sales records with 801,603 vehicles sold in 2014, up 18 percent from 678,950 sold in 2013. December sales grew steadily with 71,892 vehicles sold, up three percent from 70,097 sold in December 2013.

Record performance from the Ford Kuga helped to drive sales for CAF. Ford Kuga sales hit 12,830 vehicles in December, up 30 percent from 9,898 in December 2013. Year-to-date sales reached 135,998 vehicles sold, up 42 percent from 2013. The Ford Mondeo was also in high demand in China this year with 122,349 vehicles sold this year, up 76 percent from 69,359 in 2013.

Strong continued demand for Ford’s imported vehicles—the Ford Explorer, the Ford Edge, the Ford Focus ST and the Ford Fiesta ST—continued to drive sales. In 2014, imported vehicle sales increased by 38 percent with 37,185 vehicles sold compared to 26,856 in 2013.

Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China, broke both annual and monthly records in December. The company sold 275,858 vehicles in 2014, up 20 percent from 230,006 in 2013. Monthly sales reached 30,792 vehicles, up 56 percent from 19,792 in December last year. Strong demand for the Ford Transit helped drive growth at JMC. A total of 72,076 vehicles were sold in 2014, up six percent from 67,785 sold in 2013. Monthly sales of the Ford Transit were up 34 percent with 7,935 vehicles sold compared to 5,915 in December last year.

Setting the stage for further growth in 2015, Ford officially launched the all-new Ford Escort in China on December 30 of last year. Specifically-designed with the Chinese customer in mind, the all-new Ford Escort will be a standout for its elegant design, reliable quality, safety, roominess, and outstanding fuel economy.

 

[Bloggin]

As of Oct, 2014:

"We're maxed out," Ford spokeswoman Claire Li said, referring to capacity constraints that are crimping Ford's sales in the world's biggest auto market.

She said new assembly facilities in Hangzhou and Chongqing would ease supply pressures, without providing specific sales targets for the months ahead.

The Chongqing plant would open late this year with annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles, while the Hangzhou plant would bring another 250,000 vehicles online when it began production some time next year.

By the end of 2015, Ford planned to boost its total China capacity to 1.5 million vehicles, reflecting its sales expectations at that time.

 

[joseodiaga4]

Bloggin, did you find info about Lincoln sales?
I wonder why they are not showing those numbers? Is Lincoln doing so bad they don't want to show the numbers? :banghead:

 

[paul8488]

Very interesting! Anecdotally, I visited Hangzhou in November, it's about a two hour train ride south of Shanghai, and the part of the city built around the big lake is beautiful. It has become a bit of a playground for wealthy Chinese people, and I believe it is where one of the first crop of Lincoln stores is located.

Anyone know if Ford will build Lincoln models in China, or will they still be imported for the time being?

Oh, and where are the Lincoln sales numbers??? They can't be big, but I'd still love to know!

 

[paul8488]

Bloggin, did you find info about Lincoln sales?
I wonder why they are not showing those numbers? Is Lincoln doing so bad they don't want to show the numbers? :banghead:

They've been on sale for what, two months, in three stores? Even if the numbers are good, they're going to be bad! Still curious to know, though!

 

[wingsnut]

Define bad sales for Lincoln in China.
Even 1 sold is 100% improvement.

 

[Bloggin]

Bloggin, did you find info about Lincoln sales?
I wonder why they are not showing those numbers? Is Lincoln doing so bad they don't want to show the numbers? :banghead:

Nothing for Lincoln China yet. Checking to see if anything is available. The first 3 dealerships have only been open for two months with a new brand in a new country. But by end of 2014 there should have been an additional 5 opened. To be fair, I would not expect Lincoln to offer sales results until after 1st quarter 2015 in April. This offers time for marketing to do it's thing, sales to ramp up and gain some momentum.

Here is how I am setting my expectation. Lincoln has over 1,000 dealerships in the US and with the launch of the New MKC they sold 677 units in the first month. So with just 3 dealerships in China and two new models, MKC and MKZ, the expectation is about 10 to 15 units to close out the year.

 

[Andrew L]

2015 will be a very interesting year for Ford and Lincoln in China. I am expecting huge sales increase with Lincoln coming online.

 

[SP1966]

Define bad sales for Lincoln in China.
Even 1 sold is 100% improvement.

1 sold = Bad sales

 

[wingsnut]

1 sold = Bad sales

But still a 100% sales gain...wooohoooo!!!

 

[DetroitBORG]

It's going to take sometime, they have a long vision for China and approaching their rollout very carefully so they establish the right customer.

 

[joseodiaga4]

Define bad sales for Lincoln in China.
Even 1 sold is 100% improvement.

really wings?

do you really think Lincoln entered the Chinese market for 1 sale?
I know it is too early but should be nice to see how they are doing

 

[joseodiaga4]

1 sold = Bad sales

true!

But still a 100% sales gain...wooohoooo!!!

come on! :facepalm:
you and your 100% sales, it doesn't matter how many 100% Lincoln has if they still sell less vehicles than Acura, Infiniti!

 

[wingsnut]

jose,
if we sell 1 Lincoln to another 100 countries, that is another 100 sales.
I am excited.

 

[Andrew L]

jose,
if we sell 1 Lincoln to another 100 countries, that is another 100 sales.
I am excited.

If only Lincoln was sold in 100 countries :tongue:

 

[wingsnut]

^ could happen

 

[ausrutherford]

You can't expect a magical act for Lincoln selling huge from the bat. They will have to add more dealers and models for that. I don't blameFord for not releasing the numbers for most will take it as a failure rather than looking at the long term.

 

[2b2]

percentage-wise, going from Ø to 1 is not 100%
it's:

 

[joseodiaga4]

jose,
if we sell 1 Lincoln to another 100 countries, that is another 100 sales.
I am excited.

haha really?
Lincoln is not sold in 100 countries!
I am excited too....what I said is that maybe a couple of sales or more wouldn't be bad....but....0 sales in these months would be a bit worrying!

 

[georgewerr]

I don't understand why all the hoopla for all the automakers going to China, They are forced to partner up with a Chinese company, they have to give there intellectual property to there partner, give half there profits to there partner all for what. very little if any profit and they are spending billions for the right to do this.

We should even the playing field with China and force there corporations to play by these same rules to come to America. Not just car manufactures but all there company's. if they want to sell there products in our country then manufacture them here with 50% ownership by a domestic company. But everyone will cry this is not fair. All we hear is about free trade how about fair trade.