With the Chinese market proving increasingly significant for automotive manufacturers, Ford will open 66 new dealerships in the country by the end of the year.
The increase will bring the number added this year to 100 – meaning a total of 340 outlets across the country.
Dealerships are expected to be located in Ford’s sales regions in China – such as Liyang, Shijiazhuang, Harbin, Wanzhou, Anyang and Chongqing. These are cities expected to lead the growth of the Chinese economy.
Ford is predicting that 70 per cent of its growth over the next 10 years will come from the Asia Pacific and Africa regions. In fact, it’s Asia Pacific and Africa region encompasses markets across three continents – including Australia, China, India, Thailand and South Africa. Sales in the region are expected to increase from 16million units in 2009, to an estimated 50million units in 2020.
It is also expected that Ford will build a new assembly plant and engine plant with CFMA as well as a new plant in Nanchang with Jiangling Motors Corporation that will have the capacity to produce up to 300,000 vehicles a year.
