Published by Ash August 18th, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
The current Ford Focus has sold exceptionally well for Chang’an Ford in the PRC, and with the new model shown below they may just carry on with their sales trend, Ford did sell over 120,000 Focus models in 2007 alone, the Focus accounted for 58% of total Ford sales in 2007 according to Chinese media reports.
The Chinese Ford Focus comes in saloon and hatchback varients, both of which seem equally popular with young proffesionals and small families. Power for the Focus is derived from 1.8 or 2.0l engines, both of which are mated to a choice of automatic or manual gearboxes. This new Focus, when launched in September, will find itself up against a whole lot of competition in the form of new models from other manufacturers, namely the new Bora, the VW Lavida, and the Buick Excelle.
The new Focus is expected to hit the market on September 25th, pricing is expected to remain similar to the current models.
Published by Ash August 13th, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
The new Ford Fiesta will be launched in China towards the end of the year. European prices are reported to be11250 Euros (111,200rmb) to 14250Euros (140,200rmb) if similar prices are used in China, Ford will make the Fiesta one of the more expensive mini cars on the road.
Chang’an Ford could be pushing the Fiesta upmarket to follow recent trends of younger, wealther consumers buying small products that are packed with technology.
The Fiesta’s cousin, the Mazda2, starts at a mere 70,000rmb and rises to 110,800rmb for the top model. Of course, with the Fiesta being built in China, probably from locally sourced products, the price of the Fiesta will drop considerably, but will Ford begin to use a two tier brand stratergy for the PRC, Ford becoming a premium brand, where as Mazda will be more affordable?
Published by Ash July 23rd, 2008
in Chang'an Ford and Chinese Car News.
The Ford S-Max 5 seater has gone on the market complete with a bigger trunk, and 5 seats instead of 7.
Seven seater MPV’s arent too popular in China, due to 7 seaters having to pay a higher road tax fee when compared to 5 seat sedans and SUV’s. The 7 seater S-Max was not too popular, and Ford did not sell too many of them. Ford came back with the 5 seater S-Max in hopes of having a better attempt at the MPV market, but with their market price of 190,000rmb it could be that the VW Touran continues to outsell it. The VW Touran 5 seater, with a 2.0l automatic gear box starts at 150,000rmb, a 40,000rmb saving over the S-Max.
Changes to the 5 seater S-Max are not as many as you might think, the CD player has turned into a single CD unit, as opposed to the previous multi-CD playing unit, the MP3 connection equipment has also been dropped.
The interior of the S-Max remains as nice as it always has, China Car Times particurly liked the S-Max in terms of quality, and ride height. We didnt like the lack of a spare tyre though. The trunk in the 5 seater version looks quite big now the rear set of seats have been removed, probably for the best as they appeared to be of little use unless you count dwarves and elves amongst your family members.
Published by Ash July 21st, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
Since the Mazda 2 went on the market, Ford realized they needed to get themselves in gear and produce a small car with the famous Ford badge on the front, the result is the new Fiesta, which appears to be gaining a lot of press attention:
The Fiesta has stayed true to its design concept from its release until production. We’re sure the Chinese Fiesta will gain itself a healthy market share China. The Fiesta is likely to be produced in the massive new car plant that Ford built in Nanjing, where the Mazda 2 is currently produced. We’re wondering if a Fiesta saloon will follow the Fiesta hatchback, as the Mazda 2 saloon has followed the Mazda 2 hatch.
Published by Ash July 16th, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
As often mentioned on CCT, the last Ford Fiesta died a death in China, silently removed from the market and passed over to Landwind to see if they can do anything better with it. The new Fiesta looks set to do battle with other recently launched mini cars such as the Toyota Yaris, and the new Honda Fit.
The new Fiesta, the mk6 or 8th Generation of Fiesta is quite possibly the best one yet. Although the silver air vents on the front look to be rather awkward rather than sporty. You can see that the Kinetic Design theory that Ford have employed across their range (S-Max, Mondeo, and now Fiesta) is well at work in the latest Fiesta, with the back end of the super mini resembling the S-max in many ways.
Engine wise, research has shown that both 60PS and 80PS 1.25-litre, 91PS 1.4-litre and 115PS 1.6 Ti-VCT engines will be used in the Fiesta.
The Chang’an Ford Fiesta is expected to be on the market in late 08, possibly around October and will be sharing a production line with its brother, the Mazda 2.
Published by Ash July 11th, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
The next generation of Ford Fiesta has been spotted out testing in Chongqing:
This generation of Fiesta is expected to be launched in November 2008 once an initial production run has finished in October 2008. This Ford Fiesta is Ford’s second crack at China with the Fiesta, the previous Fiesta sedan was launched in China but was a relative failure for Ford when compared to other sedans launched at the same time.
Published by Ash June 10th, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
Ford have given the new Mondeo a massive price cut in China to make it ‘more competitive’ with its rivals. The price cut, a massive 20,500rmb (Honestly, one of the biggest we’ve ever seen) will take the base model 2.3l manual Mondeo to a bargain 170,480rmb, the base model 2.0l version will reach the mid 150,000rmb range. The 2.3 automatic gearbox model doesnt have as big as price cut, but will be cut in price by 15,000rmb.
The price cuts put the gigantic new Mondeo in direct competition with the similar priced VW Magotan, Passat, and the new Mazda 6. The price cut could also have been due to the fact that May sales of large cars were down an amazing 50% for that month alone, and many other brands have been forced for cut prices.
Published by Ash June 9th, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
The S-Max was not one of Ford’s great success stories in China, in fact, it was quite a disaster. The 7 seating arrangement was great for families, but not so great for business users who preferred the more business looks of the Buick GL8, and the ease of access to the rear row of seats. In fact, even as a family car, it was too big. How many people in China have 5 kids? Not that many, we can bet. Ford has taken to the idea of dumping the back seats, and giving the Chinese some more trunk space instead with the new 5 seater S-Max, which will hopefully boost S-Max sales from the low hundreds to the several thousand unit marker in 2008.
Previously, VW introduced the 7 seater Touran into China, but the 5 seater version proved to be a more popular model.
Hopefully by following VW’s lead, Ford will be able to raise sales, the price isnt bad, 190,480rmb.
Published by Ash May 29th, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
The facelifted Ford Focus we mentioned the other day will be on the market in China in September 2008 which will no doubt bode well for Ford sales. It seems that Chinese automotive sales aways pick up in the cooler months, but summer is just too hot for many Chinese to beat the forecourt!
The new Focus was recently spotted leaving the Chang’an testing ground (above)
Published by Ash May 26th, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
The current Ford Focus looks a little out of line within the rest of the ‘kinetically designed’ Ford range, the recently launched S-Max and redesigned Mondeo have made Fords best selling Focus look like a little out of line with the rest of the range. Chang’an Ford have given the Focus a little bit of a face lift for 2008/9. We’re not sure exactly when the latest Focus will go on sale, but Chinese motoring media are saying it will go on show at the next big automotive show, possibly even the upcoming Chongqing show.
The Focus is Chang’an Fords top selling motor vehicle, and hopefully with the update, it can continue on its upward path in China!
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