Ford is claiming the lead for the auto industry in China with its 105.5% year on year growth for the first three quarters of 2006 with overall retail sales jumping to a record 114,685 units. But it should be noted the company is counting from a low base as it was a late arrival in the burgeoning emerging market.
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Ford brand vehicles, including both passenger cars and commercial vehicles both locally assembled and imported, posted 111% sales growth compared to the same period of 2005. 106,237 Ford brand vehicles were sold in China from January to September 2006.
Changan Ford Mazda, Ford’s passenger car joint venture in China, posted record sales of 87,930 units during the past nine months of 2006, a 147% increase over 2005.
On the commercial vehicle side, the Ford Transit produced by Jiangling Motor Corporation in Nanchang, posted nine months sales up 29% to 16,315 units. This is way above the overall commercial vehicle category growth of the market.
Premier Automotive Group luxury brands achieved total sales of 8,162 units for first nine months in 2006. 5,265 units of Volvo, 2,124 units of Land Rover and 773 units of Jaguar were sold in the period, growing 42%, 127% and 60% respectively year on year. The locally produced Volvo S40, which was launched in China last July has been delivered to 1,007 Chinese customers in just over two months.
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