- Ford is introducing more than 50 new
vehicles in China by 2025, including eight all-new SUVs and at
least 15 electrified vehicles from Ford and Lincoln; in addition,
the new Zotye-Ford JV will launch an all-new range of affordable
all-electric vehicles
- The company plans to locally assemble
five more vehicles in China for Chinese customers starting in 2019,
including a Lincoln premium SUV and the company’s first global
all-electric small SUV; also rapidly increasing engineering and
R&D capability in China to support the aggressive growth
plan
- All new vehicles in China to be
internet-connected by end 2019. Ford continues working with Baidu
on autonomous vehicle development
- New single distribution services
division planned to launch next year, designed to deliver an
enhanced experience for customers and improved brand consistency
while reducing costs
Building on a decade of significant investments and growth, Ford
today outlined the next phase of its China expansion strategy,
focused on SUVs, electric and connected vehicles, a streamlined
business structure and closer connections to Chinese customers.
Executive Chairman Bill Ford and CEO Jim Hackett shared the
vision today while in China this week to meet with employees,
customers, dealers and government officials.
“China is not only the largest car market in the world, it’s
also at the heart of electric vehicle and SUV growth and the
mobility movement,” said Bill Ford. “The progress we have achieved
in China is just the start. We now have a chance to expand our
presence in China and deliver even more for customers, our partners
and society.”
Added Hackett: “Ford’s aspiration is to become the world’s most
trusted mobility company, designing smart vehicles for a smart
world. We are very excited to see this vision come to life in
China.”
To enable future growth in China, Ford will contain structural
cost in the region throughout 2018, aiming to generate greater
efficiencies, become more operationally fit and deliver additional
value to shareholders.
Even as the team works to streamline, Ford plans to grow its
China revenue by 50 percent by 2025 versus 2017 and is focusing its
business expansion on three areas: even more smart, connected
vehicles; closer connections to Chinese customers, and a
streamlined business structure.
Even More Smart, Connected Vehicles: The company plans to
offer more than 50 new Ford and Lincoln vehicles in China by
2025.
The expanded product portfolio will reflect an even stronger
emphasis on SUVs – with eight all-new utilities, along with more
electric vehicles.
The company will launch at least 15 new electrified vehicles
from Ford and Lincoln. And the new Zotye-Ford joint venture will
deliver a separate range of affordable all-electric under a new
brand, pending regulatory approvals.
“From luxury Lincolns, to Ford cars and SUVs, to an all-new
electric vehicle brand, we will meet the growing desire and need in
China for great new energy vehicles,” said Jason Luo, chairman and
CEO, Ford China. “Each of them will be safe, efficient, fun to
drive and backed by an ecosystem that makes charging, sharing and
servicing easy.”
Plus, by the end of 2019, 100 percent of new Ford and
Lincoln-badged vehicles in China will be connected through either
embedded modems or plug-in devices. Company leaders also are
working on broader infrastructure opportunities to improve future
mobility experiences.
Ford is one of the founding members of the Board of Baidu’s
Project Apollo, building on the agreement signed earlier this year.
The Apollo Open Platform accelerates the development, testing and
deployment of autonomous vehicles. Ford’s participation supports
the company’s robotics and artificial intelligence research efforts
and provides an opportunity to contribute to a platform that will
be key to developing autonomous vehicles in China.
“We are responding to the rapid pace of change by delivering
increased connectivity and working to improve and simplify mobility
for everyone,” Hackett said. “This builds on our commitment to
deliver smart vehicles for a smart world, helping people around the
world move more safely, confidently and freely.”
Closer connections to Chinese customers: In 2019, the
company starts producing five additional Ford and Lincoln models in
China for Chinese customers, including a new Lincoln premium SUV,
and the company’s first global fully electric small SUV.
Producing vehicles locally speeds time to market, while
providing greater opportunities to fully leverage the local supply
base. It also allows Ford to further tailor vehicles to more
closely meet the needs of Chinese customers.
“Some of our most advanced manufacturing and innovation
facilities are here in China,” said Peter Fleet, group vice
president and president, Ford Asia Pacific. “Producing more
vehicles for China locally allows us to improve the benefits for
our customers, our partners and our bottom line.”
Ford last month opened the Nanjing Test Center, which furthers
product development capability and innovation in China. The test
center – which includes close to 80 different types of real road
surface conditions, a three-kilometer test track and a
sophisticated emissions testing facility, will allow Ford to speed
development of new products, services and technologies to meet the
unique driving requirements of Chinese customers.
The company also is committed to improving the ownership
experience for customers with the launch of Quick Lane, its global
fast, high-quality service provider.
The first two outlets open in Nanjing and Chongqing this month,
offering routine vehicle maintenance such as oil and filter
changes, light repair services including brake repair and tire
replacements on all vehicle makes and models. Ford plans to open
100 new outlets next year.
Streamlined Business: Ford is strengthening ties with its
joint venture partners Changan and Jiangling in 2018, establishing
one distribution services division responsible for the marketing,
sales and services associated with all Ford vehicles sold in
China.
The new distribution services division will seek to offer a
simplified, improved and consistent customer experience for all
Ford customers in China.
Lincoln, which has become the fastest-growing luxury brand in
China, remains a stand-alone consumer-facing brand and maintains
its separate dealer network to offer the brand’s unique “Lincoln
Way” one-size-fits-one customer experience.
“Now is the time to deepen the partnerships we have with Changan
and Jiangling Group and present one Ford brand in China,” Fleet
said. “The new distribution services division will enable us to
offer an enhanced experience for our customers and more closely
connect with our dealers and the community.
“All of the actions outlined today reflect an unprecedented
commitment to focus on the needs of consumers in China through a
more fit and streamlined Ford,” he added. “They are proof of our
dedication to grow our business in China.”
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn,
Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a
full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and
Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford
Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in
electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford
employs approximately 203,000 people worldwide. For more
information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit
Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford's wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and investment
in China include Ford Motor (China) Limited, Ford Motor Research
& Engineering (Nanjing) Co., Ltd., Ford Automotive Finance
(China) Ltd., Changan Ford Automobile Co., Ltd., Changan Ford Mazda
Engine Co., Ltd., Jiangling Motors Co., Ltd., and Zotye Ford
Automobile Co. Ltd. Subject to regulatory approval, Zotye Ford will
produce small all-electric vehicles under a new indigenous
brand.
For news releases, related materials and
high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.
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News Manager+1-313-390-5565bcarro37@ford.com
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