Photo: Ford
As the Chinese auto market keeps expanding, the battle between automakers trying to make a dollar there intensifies.
In recent years, we’ve seen a rapid increase in the number of joint-ventures between western and local car manufacturers, aimed at both complying with local legislation and circumvent the need for hefty investments, while at the same time producing car models worth selling.
Just like all others, Ford too has big plans for China, but until now the carmaker has lacked the success of its European competitors.
The carmaker intends to change that. The latest move toward that goal was revealed this week by Jim Farley, president of global markets, in an interview with the Detroit Free Press.
Since Chinese buyers, just like those in the rest of the world, are suckers for SUVs these days, Ford said it will be introducing a new such vehicle starting 2019. The model, which will be produced with local partner Jiangling Motors will be called Territory and will not have a hefty price tag.
Despite using the same name as an SUV being sold at one point in Australia, Farley says the Chinese one “is not derived from a Ford product elsewhere,” as it has been “developed by our local partners” for the Chinese market alone.
"This is a new nameplate, a new product and it competes differently than in the past. It has a large interior size and a lower price. This will be one of several vehicles we'll be launching in the next several months," said the official according to the source.
There are for the moment no other details available on the new SUV. The carmaker is expected to release some details by the end of the week. The car is likely to be heavily based on the Yusheng S330, launched by Jiangling in 2016 as the company’s second product.
Just like all others, Ford too has big plans for China, but until now the carmaker has lacked the success of its European competitors.
The carmaker intends to change that. The latest move toward that goal was revealed this week by Jim Farley, president of global markets, in an interview with the Detroit Free Press.
Since Chinese buyers, just like those in the rest of the world, are suckers for SUVs these days, Ford said it will be introducing a new such vehicle starting 2019. The model, which will be produced with local partner Jiangling Motors will be called Territory and will not have a hefty price tag.
Despite using the same name as an SUV being sold at one point in Australia, Farley says the Chinese one “is not derived from a Ford product elsewhere,” as it has been “developed by our local partners” for the Chinese market alone.
"This is a new nameplate, a new product and it competes differently than in the past. It has a large interior size and a lower price. This will be one of several vehicles we'll be launching in the next several months," said the official according to the source.
There are for the moment no other details available on the new SUV. The carmaker is expected to release some details by the end of the week. The car is likely to be heavily based on the Yusheng S330, launched by Jiangling in 2016 as the company’s second product.
Google News