The Auto Writer

The Ford Motor Company may be having a tough time of it stateside, but a $800 million export agreement to send automotive products and transmission parts to China is underscoring just how well the company is doing on the international level.

Beginning next year, Ford will sell more than 30,000 North American-built vehicles in China, representing one of the largest export agreements ever for the Blue Oval. In addition, Ford will begin supplying transmission components and parts this year to its passenger car joint venture in China – Chang’an Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd.

“This historic export agreement with China is another step in our commitment to accelerate the development of new products that customers want and value and leverage Ford’s global assets,” said Alan Mulally, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company.

“It solidifies the worldwide appeal of our products in delivering personal transportation to markets from Boston to Beijing,” Mulally added. “It also is good news for the Ford teams that assemble these products and components in both the United States and Canada.”

Appearing at a ceremony held on Monday in Washington, DC were Chinese government officials and senior Ford management members who signed the vehicle export contract at the United States Chamber of Commerce building. Heading up the Chinese delegation was Vice Premier Wang Qishan, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, and Vice Minister of Commerce Ma Xiuhong.

Ziad Ojakli, Ford’s group vice president for government and community relations, and Stephen Biegun, Ford’s vice president for international governmental affairs, represented Ford in the signing ceremony.

Ford’s history in China can be traced all the way back to 1913, but most recently the company has had tremendous success selling the Ford Escape (Maverick in China) and the Lincoln Navigator, as both SUVs sold out in 2007.

“This export program is just one part of a larger effort to continue momentum for Ford in China,” said Robert Graziano, President and CEO, Ford Motor China Ltd. “We are continuously broadening our product offerings, satisfying customer needs and achieving the sales and growth we have been working toward.”

Ford Motor China recorded sales of 90,791 passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the first quarter of 2008, a 47% increase over the same period last year. Ford brand vehicles sold in China market include Ford Focus, Ford Mondeo, Ford S-MAX and Ford Transit.

With the new Ford Fiesta set for launch by the end of this year, Ford’s product offering in China will cover a wide range of vehicles from small cars to SUVs as well as light bus segments. Full details of the vehicles to be exported will be announced in the near future.

(Source: Ford Motor Company)