Ford Focus a bestseller in China

SHANGHAI: The Ford Focus was China's best-selling nameplate in 2012 according to independent industry sales data, said the American automaker in a statement.

For the full year, sales of the Focus totaled 296,360 vehicles, more than any other domestically manufactured passenger car, according to industry consultancy IHS Automotive.

The IHS data illustrate Ford’s growth momentum entering 2013 as it launches two new SUVs (sport utility vehicles) in the world’s largest auto market.

Ford China recently announced an annual sales record last year, after selling 626,616 units (up 21% from a year earlier).
“It’s really exciting for us to see how enthusiastically Chinese consumers have taken to the Focus, making it the best-selling passenger vehicle in 2012,” said John Lawler, chairman and CEO of Ford Motor China.

“And now with the all-new Kuga and EcoSport, we’re preparing to go even further in 2013 as we aggressively expand our SUV lineup.”

The Kuga and EcoSport SUVs will be produced at Changan Ford’s facility in Chongqing, thus giving Ford a strong position in the SUV market, the fastest-growing segment in China’s auto industry.