Recruiting in China

BY SARAH A. WEBSTER

Thanks to a refreshed 2007 Ford Focus, Ford Motor Co.’s retail sales in China jumped to 93,206 cars and trucks in the first half of the year, a 25% increase compared to the same period in 2006, the company reported today.

Ford sells imported and domestically produced Ford, Lincoln, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover models in the fast-growing Asian country.

But Ford’s hottest vehicle in China is the Ford Focus, which has been built in Chongqing since the third quarter of 2005 and posted a six-month sales volume of 55,676.

The third-generation Ford Mondeo will be launched later this year as a major player of domestic premium CD-car segment

Ford’s history in China can be traced to 1913, when its first Model T was imported and sold in Shanghai.

Ford now owns 30% of the shares of Jiangling Motors Corporation Ltd., which produces commercial vehicles and other products.

The Dearborn-based automaker also has a 50-50 passenger car joint venture with Changan Automotive Corporation Ltd., which is called Changan Ford Automobile Corporation Ltd. Changan Ford has launched two Ford passenger cars models, the Fiesta and Mondeo. In early 2005, Changan Ford's second passenger car plant in Nanjing started construction.

In April 2005, Ford, Changan and Mazda also announced a new three-way engine plant joint venture, Changan Ford Mazda Engine Company Ltd., and the new plant has been in production since April 2007.

In March 2006, the Chinese government approved Mazda's investment in Changan Ford. The restructured company has been renamed as Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. (CFMA). Changan, Ford and Mazda hold 50 per cent, 35 per cent and 15 per cent shares in CFMA, respectively.

In the first half of the year, CFMA posted sales of 93,587, a 57% increase over the same period of 2006. CFMA, which has been in operation for less than four years, is now ranked as the 7th largest automaker in China, according to the China Passenger Car Association.