Ford sales in China boom.

[Buntz]

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/11/f...-in-dec-alone/

Ford went into the Beijing Motor Show last year talking big about its "15 by 15" plan for China – introducing 15 new models to the market by 2015, doubling production capacity and its dealership network. Its stand at the show showcased four new vehicles – the EcoSport, Kuga, Edge and Explorer CUVs – along with the launch of the 1.0-liter EcoBoost in the Ford Focus (pictured) and convenience features like the Mandarin-enabled SYNC system in the new, Chinese-built Focus.

It's all paying off so far, with Ford reporting record December sales and annual sales (all sales are wholesales in China) in the world's largest auto market. Overall December sales were up 43 percent to 70,510 compared to 49,238 in the year before, with overall annual sales up by 21 percent to 626,616 compared to 519,390 in 2011.

Those numbers are a combination of Ford Motor China sales, and the sales locked up by Ford's passenger car joint venture partner, Changan, and its commercial vehicle joint venture partner, Jiangling. Passenger cars with Changan were up 31 percent for the year, to 418,500 units, including the imported Ford Edge that climbed to 426,608. The Focus ruled the roost, tallying 296,360 units sold for the year. Commercial vehicles did 200,008 units, a three-percent gain year-on-year.

For the number junkies among you, the press release below breaks it down even further.

Ford China Delivers another Record Sales Month, December Sales Up 43%; Annual Sales Up 21%

- Ford China 2012 wholesales reach 626,616 vehicles, up 21%; December sales up 43%
- CAF passenger car 2012 wholesales reach 418,500 vehicles, up 31%; December sales up 60%
- JMC commercial vehicle 2012 wholesales reach 200,008 vehicles, up 3%; December sales up 14%

SHANGHAI, China, 7 January, 2013 – Ford China set an annual sales record in 2012, selling 626,616 wholesale vehicles, up 21 percent from 519,390 wholesales in 2011. For the fourth month in a row Ford also set a monthly sales record, with 70,510 wholesale vehicles sold in December, up 43 percent from 49,238 a year earlier.

"Record 2012 sales highlight the positive response our customers have for our full portfolio of high-quality, safe, fuel-efficient and smart vehicles," said John Lawler, chairman and CEO of Ford Motor China. "Their enthusiasm for Ford cars validates our aggressive plan to introduce 15 new vehicles, double production capacity, and double our China dealership network-all by 2015."

Ford also set records for annual passenger car sales, which include the imported Ford Edge. 2012 passenger car sales are up 31 percent with 426,608 wholesale cars sold compared from 324,802 in 2011. December passenger car sales reached 50,569 wholesale cars, an increase of 59 percent compared from 31,729 in December 2011.

Ford's passenger car joint venture Changan Ford Automobile (CAF) broke records as well this year, with 418,500 wholesale Ford-brand cars sold in 2012, a significant increase of 31 percent from 320,658 in 2011. CAF also had a record December, selling 49,212 wholesale Ford-brand passenger cars, up 60 percent from 30,788 in 2011.

The Focus, which was repeatedly named the best-selling nameplate in China in 2012, continued to drive great sales performance in December, with 36,868 wholesale cars sold. For the year, Focus sales totaled 296,360 wholesale units.

Edge sales are up 44 percent in December and 96 percent for the year with 8,108 wholesale cars sold in 2012 compared from 4,144 in 2011. Year-to-date Mondeo sales are also on the rise, up 6 percent in 2012 with 68,334 wholesale cars sold.

Sales at Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China also broke both monthly and annual records. December sales grew by 14 percent with 19,941 wholesale vehicles sold compared from 17,509 vehicles last year while JMC's 2012 total sales reached 200,008 wholesale vehicles, up 3 percent from 194,588 last year.

It's just proof that you don't have to be first... you just have to be better.

Go Ford.