Over the past few years, Ford has launched a number of China-only products in that country designed specifically for customers that live there, rather than simply importing other models. However, changes could be on the horizon in one of the most hotly contested automotive markets on earth, particularly after Ford China CEO Anning Chen recently retired, making way for Sam Wu to take over the top position. Now, change seems to be precisely what’s in store for that market as a whole, according to Ford CEO Jim Farley.
“Our strategy going forward in China will change,” the Ford CEO said while speaking during the automaker’s Q1 2023 earnings call. “We’re going to go to a much lower investment, leaner, more focused business in China, with higher returns. And I’ll give you an example. I don’t want to lay out the whole strategy here, but since you asked the question, I think our partnership with JMC is a good example. We’re going to double-down on our commercial business, including EVs in China. We also believe that JMC can be an export hub for affordable EVs and ICE commercial vehicles using the Ford distribution network for our Pro business around the world.”
This is certainly notable given the fact that many of Ford’s recent new vehicle launches in China – including the Ford Evos, Ford Mondeo, and Lincoln Zephyr – were all designed by Ford China specifically to cater to Chinese customers. Such an endeavor is undoubtedly more expensive than creating global models that can be sold in multiple markets, however.
The Blue Oval has done precisely that over the past few months, importing vehicles like the Ford Bronco and Ford F-150 Raptor into China while also announcing that it will build and sell the Ford Ranger locally in the same market. These moves – coupled with previous comments from Farley – seem to indicate that this will be the company’s future strategy in China, rather than tailoring products specifically for customers there.
We’ll have more on Ford’s global strategy soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
It isn't the first time, either.
The mid-size pickup has become a staple in that region.
An improvement from last year's test results.
The company is set to debut its next new model.
The sixth-generation SUV hasn't received one yet.
It still holds the lead year-to-date, however.
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Slave labor, organ harvesting, political prisoners, executions, predatory lending practices, totalitarian control of its citizens, and a pandemic that killed millions of innocents. What's not to love about China?
Not to mention China has the worst demographic collapse happening in known human history and political tensions may see them seize foreign assets in their country. Yikes, I wouldn't want to be doing business there right now or planning for much of a future there.
John, care to have a word with Mr. Biden?
It appears to me Ford in China will no longer compete in the cross over or SUV market. Instead sell into Pickups, Broncos , EV's & upper scale models. A more specialty type market.
Did you catch what he said importing Ev’s from China that’s what they will sell in America China crap don’t know about you but I’m not buying
I read here in an article 2024 Lincoln Nautilus More Expensive Than Outgoing Model published April 18, 2023, that the new Nautilus will be built in China and imported into the US. It was currently/previously built in Canada. I have a Nautilus we bought new a few years ago and would have likely bought another until the business of moving its production to China was published. That's a show-stopper. And that doesn't just apply to the Nautilus. Ford can go to hell for moving production from North America to China and importing the product from there.