Ford and its joint ventures in China saw sales totaling 83,666 vehicles in China in March, an 11% decline from the prior year. Changan Ford Automobile (CAF) sales fell 22% with 46,217 vehicles delivered, Jiangling Motor Corporation (JMC) sales increased 5% at 31,144 vehicles delivered, Lincoln brand sales increased 27% year-over-year at 5,051 vehicles delivered, and import sales declined 17% at 1,254 vehicles delivered.
Through the first quarter of 2018, only Lincoln has posted year-over-year growth, up 10% from its first quarter in 2017 with deliveries totaling 12,710 vehicles.
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“SUVs, commercial, and luxury vehicles are key priorities of our strategy this year,” said Peter Fleet, president of Ford Asia Pacific and chairman and CEO of Ford China. “Lincoln’s record sales results this quarter as well as other sales increases for Ford nameplates show we keep strengthening our core business. With our recent unveiling of a new range of next-generation midsize cars, we will continue to expand our product portfolio and provide more choices for Chinese customers.”
Only the Ford EcoSport saw an increase for CAF in March, rising 7% from March 2017 with 2,455 vehicles delivered. Through the first three months, CAF vehicle sales total 124,459 units, down 26% from 2017.
JMC saw a 5% sales increase in March thanks to 2% growth from the Ford Everest, 8% growth from the JMC Pickup, and the continued success of the JMC Teshun and JMC Light Truck. Through March, JMC sales are down 6% at 66,540 vehicles delivered.
Import sales of the Focus ST, Focus RS, Mustang, and Explorer were down in March, but sales of the F-150 Raptor were strong at 98 units delivered. To date, Ford import sales are down 27% at 3,430 vehicles.
At the end of Q1 2018, Ford’s total sales in China are down 19% at 207,139 vehicles delivered.
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