Ford’s Chinese ventures sales jump as SUVs, vans lead demand recovery

Ford Motor’s Chinese ventures reported higher vehicle sales for October from a year ago, as strong demand for sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and vans continued to support its recovery in the country.

The automaker’s Chongqing-based venture with Changan said on Thursday that it sold 26,305 vehicles last month, a 43% increase year-on-year.

Jiangling Motors in which Ford owns a stake, said in a filing previously that this week it sold 34,008 vehicles last month, increasing 26% on the year. Overall auto sales are expected to increase by 11.4% on year in October.

Changan-Ford sells SUV models such as Escape, Edge and Explorer. JMC sells Ford-branded SUVs and vans and also JMC-branded commercial vehicles.

After two-quarters of growth, Ford’s China head Anning Chen said the company now hopes that sales would continue to increase in the remaining months of this year. He, however, refused to provide a detailed sales forecast for the fourth quarter or the whole year.

Chen, on the sidelines of the China International Import Expo, an annual import show in Shanghai, informed Reuters that the company is thinking about bringing more SUV models and vehicles in China, with intelligent functions to connect with surrounding infrastructure as part of the three-year product plan it declared last year.

Chen said Ford is researching the feasibility of making Ford-branded pickup truck in the country but it is yet to discuss a clear plan.