With cars like the Focus selling well, Ford set a sales record for the first six months in China this year.
General Motors, Ford and their joint venture partners posted record sales in China for the first half of the 2014, capping off the period with a strong showing in June.
GM’s sales in China in the first six months increased 10.5% from last year’s previous record for the period to 1.73 million units. In June, GM’s sales increased 9.1%. Ford China reported a 35% increase for the first six months of 2014, selling 549,256 vehicles. Ford China’s June sales increased 17%, the automaker reported.
“GM has experienced growth in demand for our products across China this year, especially at the higher end of our lineup and in the SUV/MPV segment,” said Matt Tsien, GM executive vice president and president of GM China. “We anticipate sales remaining strong through the end of 2014, as more people – particularly outside China’s major cities – become first-time vehicle buyers.”
During the first half of 2014, Shanghai GM’s sales in China were up 10.3% on an annual basis to 819,667 units and SAIC-GM-Wuling’s sales in China increased 11.5% to 883,724 units. Both were records for the period.
Buick sales in the domestic market increased 12.2% from the first half of 2013 to 450,421 units. Chevrolet sales in China rose 4.2% to 335,486 and sales of the Cadillac brand jumped 71.7% to 33,760 units. All three brands had all-time highs for the first half, GM said.
A Buick showroom in Shanghai is reflective of the record first-half sales in China.
Ford also experienced strong growth. “Ford’s strong sales in the first half demonstrate the success of our accelerated China growth plan,” said John Lawler, chairman and CEO of Ford China. “We continue to grow our sales network, increase capacity and hire great employees – all to deliver the high quality, safety, fuel efficiency and smart technologies that Chinese customers demand.”
Changan Ford (CAF), Ford’s passenger car joint venture, also increased sales by 39% CAF’s June rose 23% compared to June 2013.
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The Ford Focus nameplate continued to lead CAF sales in the first half with 201,464 units sold, up 9% from 185,648 unit sales in the first half of 2013. June sales for the Ford Focus nameplate reached 33,614 vehicles, up 7% from June 2013.
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During the first half of 2014, Ford China also experienced a 70% increase in sales for its imported passenger vehicles, Focus ST, Fiesta ST, Edge and Explorer. Imported vehicle sales in the first half reached 18,360 vehicles compared to 10,811 in the first half of 2013.
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Jiangling Motors Corp., Ford’s commercial vehicle investment in China, also delivered its best first-half performance, selling 132,938 vehicles, a 21% increase from 110,230 sold in the first six months of 2013. June sales were up 19% with 19,012 vehicles sold compared to 16,022 sold in June 2013.
As part of its accelerated China growth plan, last month Ford opened its $350 million transmission plant in Chongqing. Ford’s first transmission plant in the Asia Pacific region, the Changan Ford Transmission Plant will produce 400,000 units a year to help meet growing demand from Chinese consumers. During the same month, Ford also launched 88 new dealerships across China in one day, taking its total count of dealer points in China to 750 stores.