Ford Prepares for China's Attack

The Car Allowance Rebate System, which is now on the verge of closure, brought US automakers back on track and made them hope for better times in the future. Ford, the only major US-based car manufacturer who survived without government backing and even managed to step among the best-selling companies under CARS, is now getting ready for the next challenge: the assault of Chinese manufacturers.

As you know, Chinese carmakers are becoming more important players in the automotive world, partially because their domestic market was less affected by the global turmoil. Their next target is now the United States and, as they announced, the country will receive what they have the best: cheap, yet reliable models.

But Ford's officials say they are not afraid and emphasize the American manufacturer has the resources to fight with the upcoming Chinese rivals.

"We've done a lot of work in this decade -- it's been a lot of hard work -- so that we get to the point where we can keep that competitive edge as those new automakers come into the market," Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, Ford's chief economist, was quoted as saying by gasgoo.com. "I don't think anybody's got their eyes closed," she added when talking about Chinese competitors. "That will happen. The question is when -- not if."

"We have now matched Toyota in terms of quality across our vehicle lines," she said. "We are achieving, over time, best-in-class in terms of fuel economy in every segment. We've totally rebalanced our portfolio products in the U.S. -- small cars, utility, and trucks.We had a management team that has just been zooming along and improving on every front."