Ford Motor sees sharply higher sales in Asia

Ford Motor Co. said Thursday its first-quarter sales in China leapt 84% from a year ago, driven by its Changan Ford Mazda Automobile joint venture.

The Detroit automaker also said March sales for India more than tripled from the previous month on the "overwhelming popularity" of its Figo model, with over 10,000 orders booked. "Ford India continues to focus on enhancing its low cost of ownership experience for customer," the company said in a statement.

In China, sales reached a record 153,362 in the first quarter. Shares of Ford rose 1.7% premarket to $12.78 each.