Ford China H1 sales up 53% to record 301,524 units

Shanghai, July 5 (Gasgoo.com) Ford Motor said today that its vehicle sales in China grew 53% from a year earlier to a record 301,524 vehicles in the first half of the year, boosted by robust demand for clean cars and rapid growth at its commercial vehicle venture, Dow Jones reported.

Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., a three-way joint venture between Ford Motor, Changan Auto and Mazda Motor, sold 205,563 vehicles in the first half, up 46% from a year earlier, Ford said in a statement.

During the Jan-June period the car venture sold 38,669 units of the Ford Fiesta, up 113% year on year. The compact car has been favored mostly by younger Chinese buyers. The Ford Focus, Mondeo and S-Max also showed strong growth during the first six months.

Ford's commercial vehicle venture Jiangling Motors Corporation registered record sales of 88,363 units, up 66%. Ford's Transit produced by the venture proved particularly popular commercial vehicles, taking the lead in the high-end light commercial van segment.

Ford's China sales figures for the January-June period include sales of Volvo cars, which are also made at Changan Ford Mazda. Excluding Volvo, Ford China first-half sales stood at 285,991 units.

"We are very pleased that more and more Chinese consumers are choosing the stylish, fuel-efficient, high-quality vehicles Ford and our joint ventures offer in China," said Robert Graziano, chairman and CEO of Ford Motor China.