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!
Published by Ash April 23rd, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
The Ford Fiesta saloon was never a great selling model in China, although it was a sports model, it looked subpar when compared to Japanese offerings such as the Honda Fit, and to a lesser extent the Toyota Yaris or the Chery A1. Chang’an Ford canned the Fiesta sedan and have plans to bring over the Fiesta hatchback from Europe. They showed it off in Beijing with a sports level trim:
The Fiesta has received a massive face lift to give it a fighting chance again in China, certain elements of the Ford Verve concept have sneaked into the Fiestas design, giving it a much better look than what it once had. What will be under the hood for China? Probably a 1.5 engine, or perhaps a 1.8 if we’re really lucky. The Fiesta is expected to go into production at the recently built 150 million dollar Chang’an Ford factory in Nanjing. Nanjing seems to have become quite the hub of automobile production in the past few years, SAIC, VW, Fiat, MG and Ford, have all made it their new home. Is it too early to call Nanjing the ‘Detroit of the East’?
Published by Ash April 14th, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
The Ford S-Max is a pretty nice 7 seater MPV for the European and Chinese markets, in Europe the S-Max is a best seller, however Chinese consumers appear to have shunned the S-Max! In a market where pretty much any car will sell (including Maestros and Itals) the S-Max has been a very poor seller when compared to the relative success of the Mondeo and the Focus. Sales of the S-Max since launch were reportedly only 450 cars, not exactly great for Chang’an Ford.
Continue reading ‘Ford S-Max 5 seater for China - Ford trying to turn poor sales around?’
Published by Ash February 28th, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
The latest Ford Focus for 2008 has had a slight make over at the front, and a new look on the interior.
The Ford Focus is a very popular car in China, in both hatchback and saloon form. Ford China offer a 1.8 and a 2.0 model, there is also a sports model, the Ford Focus ST.
Published by Ash February 23rd, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
Despite the run away success of certain Ford models in the Chinese market place (namely the Focus, and a lesser extent the Mondeo) Ford failed to hit the sales goals it set for itself at the end of 2006 for the following year.
Ford aimed to increase its market share from 2.0% to 2.4%, however, Ford only achieved a slight raise of 0.1%. At the end of 2007, Ford had 2.1% of the automobile market in China.
On average, 70% of Chang’an Fords parts and supplies are sourced locally, with Ford importing the other 30%, this works out to being a potential profit loss of $1000USD on each vehicle sold. If Ford were to correct this issue, and source more locally made parts rather than importing, then profit on the Focus and Mondeo models would go up substantially.
Chang’an Ford are expected to launch the latest European edition of the Focus later this year.
Published by Ash January 22nd, 2008
in Chang'an Ford.
Despite the Toyota badging, and the heavy camouflage the Chinese motoring press are resolute that this is the Ford Fiesta out testing in a rather snowy Nanjing city.
We wonder why the people testing the new Ford Fiesta in Nanjing, stopped off at a liquor and smokes store?
Published by Ash December 21st, 2007
in Chang'an Ford.
Ford isnt going to build a fourth Ford factory in China, denying media reports despite being close to maximum production capacity.
Ford say the media have got their plans wrong, and Ford are actually talking to potential partners about gaining extra capacity. Chang’an Ford has increased capacity to 250,000 vehicles this year, Ford also has the new Nanjing factory which will give Ford China a total production capacity of 400,000 vehicles this year.
From Jan to November this year, Ford sold over 190,000 vehicles in China. Ford has found a large success in the Focus, and to a lesser extent the Mondeo in China. The new Mondeo was recently launched in China and appears to be selling well alongside the now cut price Mondeo.
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