Changan Ford April sales up 37.6% to 26,598 units

Shanghai, May 6 (Gasgoo.com) Changan Ford Sales Company yesterday reported its 15th consecutive month of year-on-year growth with April sales that increased 37.6% from a year earlier to 26,598 units, according to a statement on Ford Motor's website.

The Ford Fiesta, popular among China's young consumers, sold 6,414 units in April, up 68% year on year, boosting total sales of this trend-setting car to 73,224 units. The Ford Focus saw its April sales rise 31.2% to 14,808 units, while the Ford Mondeo and Ford S-MAX sales grew 29% and 9%, respectively.

The Ford Focus recently celebrated the production milestone of 500,000 units at the Chongqing facility of Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Corp. (CFMA), Ford's three-way car-making joint venture in China. The venture also has a plant in eastern city of Nanjing, which will make the Mazda 3.

"We're very pleased to see the positive sales momentum continue in April, and are equally as thrilled from the overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees who visited our stand at the recent 2010 Beijing Auto Show," said Nigel Harris, general manager of Changan Ford Sales Co.

Changan Ford has continued with the rapid expansion of its dealer network, with plans to open over 70 new dealer stores in 2010. The dealer network now includes 241 full service dealerships and 344 sales or service outlets across the country.

Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., CFMA's Chinese parent, said its sales in April rose 23% to 144,524 vehicles. Sales for the first four months gained 68% to 697,520 units.