Changan Ford Mazda not to make SUV soon

Shanghai, December 2 (Gasgoo.com) Changan Ford Mazda has no immediate plan to introduce any Ford SUV model for Chinese production, and the joint venture will see its 2009 output and sales on a similar level to this year by depending on the New Fiesta model soon to be launched, said xinhuanet.com today citing a top executive of the company.

Zou Wenchao, executive vice president Changan Ford Mazda, said that after the New Fiesta goes on sale in early 2009, the company will consider introducing more models to meet other market segments in China, but has no immediate plan to bring in any Ford SUV model for local production as the SUV is not in great demand in the Chinese market and Ford has no follow-up new SUV models available yet after Ford has moved its SUV R&D from Europe to the North America.

In September this year, Changan Ford Mazda decided to delay the Chinese production of the Ford Kuga SUV seemingly due to the gloomy market prospects. The venture previously hoped that the long-awaited compact SUV, if locally built in China, would be able to compete with the likes of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The Ford Kuga, launched by Europe Ford in 2007, is inspired by the iosis X concept revealed at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.

However, Changan Ford Mazda has never given up the SUV market research and design. A Ford SUV may be included in joint venture's production plan if the SUV market in China rebounds and Ford launches an all-new SUV model in other markets in late 2009 or soon after. And the possibility can't be ruled out that the venture may come up with its self-developed SUV model if the market is promising.

Changan Ford Mazda's output and sales for 2009 will not see much rise or fall from this year's level, said Zou, adding that the sales will largely rely on new products, especially the New Fiesta that will be launched soon. The 2009 Ford Focus made by Changan Ford Mazda hit the Chinese market on September 25.