Ford Motor Co. on Friday reported its third quarter sales in China jumped 25.4% compared with the year-ago period, totaling 164,352 vehicles. It Is the company’s best result in nearly four years in the world’s largest automotive market.
It was also a 3.6% increase compared with the second quarter of this year as the country’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic continues to strengthen. Sales of Ford, Lincoln and JMC brand vehicles achieved year-over-year growth of 12.5%, 64.8% and 38.3%, respectively.
“Ford is strengthening its sales momentum in China by building on growing consumer preference for our iconic brand and favorable product mix of luxury and near-premium utility vehicles,” said Anning Chen, president and CEO of Ford China, in a statement.
(Ford rides luxury vehicles, utes to Q2 sales jump in China in Q2.)
“Our localization strategy to produce in China world-class Ford and Lincoln vehicles, including the newly launched Ford Explorer, Lincoln Corsair and Lincoln Aviator, has further enhanced our competitiveness in delivering the best products and services that Chinese consumers are looking for.”
Ford’s results mirrored that of its U.S. rival General Motors, which reported a 12% increase during the third quarter, delivering 771,400 vehicles in the country during the same period. Overall vehicle sales in China grew 13% in September, 12% in August and 16% in July.
The company’s namesake brand enjoyed a strong quarter with its Ford branded SUVs selling 38,749 units, which is a 72.2% increase compared with the same time frame last year. It was also a 34.8% increase over the second quarter’s sales results.
(China trims back recently extended NEV subsidies.)
Additionally, the brand saw demand for its commercial vehicles, starting with the Ford Transit, which saw a 30% leap in sales. Ford Lio-Ho, which sells vehicles in Taiwan, moved more than 9,000 vehicles, it’s best quarter 13 years, the company noted. Driving the demand were the Ford Focus and all-new Kuga, the pair accounting for 90% of sales.
Lincoln brand luxury vehicle sales delivered best-ever quarterly results in China with 19,143 units sold, up 64.8% year-over-year. Sales of Lincoln Corsair reached 11,041 units in the third quarter and set a new quarterly record for individual Lincoln nameplates in China.
JMC brand vehicle sales exceeded 58,000 units, an increase of 38.3% year-over-year, reflecting continued strong demand for light trucks, commercial vans and pickups.
(GM turns two-year tide in China with Q3 sales jump.)
Officials attributed part of the strong result to is continued push of new products in the market, adding they expected it to continue into next year. Pointing to the new introduced Ford Mustang Mach-E at Auto China 2020 and its focus on designing and producing vehicles specifically for the Chinese market place.
