While it recently revealed the all-new Ford Mondeo sedan and Lincoln Zephyr in China, FoMoCo’s strategy remains focused on crossovers in that market, such as the new Ford Evos. Regardless, Ford China has undergone some major changes in recent months in addition to this bevy of new products, as the automaker just announced its all-new design center and a new passenger vehicle joint venture with Jiangling Motors Corporation Limited (JMC). FoMoCo is already part of two other joint ventures in China – Changan Ford and JMC Ford – and the latter is forming yet another called Jiangling Ford Automobile Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
The new JMC Ford joint venture aims to accelerate the growth of Ford’s passenger car business in China, as well as the automaker’s China 2.0 business transformation plan. JMC Ford Technology will combine the resources of both companies and upgrade the existing distribution channel to offer customers a lineup that is produced by JMC and delivered via a customer-centered always-on experience.
JMC’s passenger car lineup currently includes the all-new Ford Equator Sport, Ford Territory, Equator, Everest, and Tourneo, all of which are sold across a network of 181 dealerships in major metropolitan markets, as well as via direct sales. JMC Ford has been in operation for 18 years now but previously focused solely on commercial vehicles.
This new joint venture comes on the heels of a decision by Chinese officials to allow full foreign ownership of passenger car manufacturing in the country beginning January 1st, 2022, which means that joint ventures such as this one are no longer necessary for automakers like Ford to manufacture and sell vehicles in the country. Regardless, it appears that Ford will continue to lean on its existing relationships for the foreseeable future.
We’ll have more on this new joint venture soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comment
Another sellout to China. Wake up Ford and smell the roses. China is not our friend and in time will “own” Ford.
Fords have graced my family’s driveway for over 50 years but before I buy a Ford made in China I will switch to another brand not so greedy wanting a piece of the Chinese market.