Changan Ford Mazda's Dec sales up 61% to 27,680 units

The Chinese partner in Ford Motor Co.'s passenger-vehicle joint venture in China said Tuesday the venture's sales in December rose 61.4% to 27,680 units from 17,148 units a year earlier.

Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co.'s sales for 2009 reached 316,139 units, up 54.5% from 204,674 units in 2008, Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. also said in a statement.

Ford operates a passenger vehicle-making joint venture in China with Mazda Motor Corp. and Changan. It also has a separate commercial vehicle joint venture.