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"Following the call to 'go west,'
we are expanding west and in developing cities in China where
most of the future growth will come from," said Joe Hinrichs,
president of Ford, Asia Pacific and Africa, and chairman and CEO
of Ford China. "By expanding our retail footprint in western
China, we are continuing to realize the vision of Henry Ford to
make personal transportation more accessible and efficient. We
are thankful that with the support of our JV partners in China
we are on track to have a record sales year in China. We will
also have a record year for sales in the Asia Pacific and Africa
region as a whole."
The new dealerships will be
located throughout Ford's sales regions in China, in cities such
as Liyang, Shijiazhuang, Harbin, Wanzhou in Chongqing and
Anyang. Many of these cities, relatively unknown outside of
China, have populations well over one million people and will
help lead the next wave of growth in the Chinese economy.
“It’s all about growth – for Ford,
for our partners and most importantly, growth for our
customers,” said Nigel Harris, general manager of Changan Ford
Sales Company. “With the additional 66 dealers we are opening,
we will be on track to have more than 340 operational
dealerships in China by the end of the year. Sixty-six is an
auspicious number in China, and we think it bodes well for our
future success. We are very thankful to have some of the best
sales and service colleagues in the automotive business working
at Changan Ford. As ambassadors of the Ford brand as it expands,
they work hard to make sure our new and existing customers 'feel
the difference' in the products we offer and the services we
provide.”
Harris presided over the grand
opening of a new dealership in Nanning, Guanxi Province today,
one of many similar celebrations taking place across China.
Dozens of officials, media and dealer personnel were on hand to
inaugurate the newest dealership in Changan Ford's retail
network.
Ford and its joint venture Changan
Ford Mazda Automotive Ltd. (CFMA) are building a new assembly
plant in Chongqing, and just signed an agreement to build a new
engine plant also in Chongqing. Ford is introducing the new Edge
SUV to China in mid-December.
Photos: Ford
(November 25, 2010) |
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