Ford China JV plant produces 500,000th Focus car

Shanghai, March 30 (Gasgoo.com) Ford Motor's China venture Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co. (CFMA) yesterday saw its 500,000th Ford Focus car rolling off the assembly line in Chingqing, media reported. The golobally popular Focus has become Ford Motor's best-selling model in China, and the 500,000th model is a 1.8-liter silver, 4-door sedan.

"We are proud and delighted to celebrate the 500,000th Focus produced at our CFMA Chongqing production line today," said Jeffrey Shen, president of Changan Ford Mazda. "This shows the confidence and passion that our Chinese consumers have for the Ford Focus, which is now firmly established as one of the best-sellers in China’s mid-size car segment."

The Ford Focus has been a key driver of Ford China's sales since it was introduced in September 2005. In January, Focus notched its best-ever sales in China of 17,151 units, up 78% year over year, followed by its best-ever February sales.

Since its 1998 launch in Europe, more than 9.2 million Focus vehicles have been sold worldwide, and the model has played a leading role in the global C-car market. The next-generation Ford Focus will be the flagship model from Ford's all-new C-segment platform.

Changan Ford Mazda's manufacturing facility in Chongqing produces both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback Focus. Ford Mondeo, Ford S-MAX and Ford Fiesta are also produced at the venture's Chongqing plant and sold well in the Chinese market.

Ford operates the passenger vehicle joint venture in southwest China with Mazda Motor and Chongqing Changan Auto. In Jiangxi province, Ford has a commercial vehicle venture, Jiangling Motors, where the Ford Transit Classic van is built.