US EUROPE AFRICA ASIA 中文
China / World

Ford puts iconic models, technologies on show at import expo

By Li Fusheng (China Daily) Updated: 2019-11-08 07:49

United States-based carmaker Ford Motor is showcasing its signature models and cutting-edge technologies at the China International Import Expo running from Nov 5 to Nov 10 in Shanghai, demonstrating its commitment to further tapping into the potential of the world's largest car market.

"We appreciate the CIIE as the key platform for us to showcase our best products and customer experiences to our customers in China," said Ford President and CEO Jim Hackett.

"The products and technologies we are preparing under our vision of 'Smart Vehicle for a Smart World' will be the right offer for the new generation of mainstream Chinese customers."

Two signature Ford models are being shown at its booth at the expo, which it has participated in for two years in a row: its best-seller in North America for 42 years - the F-150 and the iconic sports car - the Mustang.

 Ford puts iconic models, technologies on show at import expo

Clockwise from top: Two signature Ford models, the F-150 and the Mustang, are being shown at its booth at the second China International Import Expo in Shanghai. The Ford booth at the expo. Visitors could experience Ford's latest driver assist technology - the Co-Pilot 360 system during the event. Photos Provided to China Daily

An icon in US culture, the F-series pickups have accumulated sales of over 27 million while the Mustang, with accumulated sales exceeding 10 million, has been the most popular sports car in China for three years in a row.

Ford's premium arm Lincoln is showcasing a stellar lineup of models as well, ranging from the full-sized SUV Navigator to its flagship Continental sedan. Besides the models, visitors can also experience Ford's latest driver assist technology - the Co-Pilot 360 system, which offers its vehicles Level 2 autonomous functions as defined in the five-level hierarchy created by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Ford said most of its models available in China will feature the system starting from 2019.

This is the second time that Ford has participated in the expo in an effort to seize the opportunities provided by China's new round of high-level opening-up strategies.

Hackett said the expo is a significant move for the Chinese government to support trade cooperation and economic globalization and to open the Chinese market to the world. "It serves as a window for all participating companies to further build the trade relations with the China market," he said.

During the expo, Ford signed a deal with China South Industries Group, parent company of its partner Changan Automobile, to export components in 2020.

The deal came after Ford and Changan announced plans in September to deepen their cooperation by tapping into respective strengths and capabilities to achieve strategic transformation and upgrades in the partnership. The two are also expected to localize production of Lincoln models in Chongqing, where the joint venture Changan Ford is located.

Ford was one of the first international brands to do business in China. It started to sell its Model T cars in 1913. In 1979, Ford exported 750 F-series pickup trucks to the country, which were the first imports of US-made vehicles since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Anning Chen, vice-president of Ford and president and CEO of its China operations, said Ford is the largest US car exporter to China, with vehicles and components shipped to the country from 2014 to 2018 totaling almost 85 billion yuan.

"Ford will make the most of the expo to focus on the China market, deepen cooperation with the country and bring together the 'Best of Ford' and the 'Best of China' to achieve mutual progress and prosperity," Chen said.

As part of the commitment, Ford will introduce at least 30 models into China in three years and many of them will be specifically designed for the Chinese market.

To facilitate this, Ford is establishing a China Innovation Center and a China Design Center to promote the marriage of Chinese design and Ford DNA to provide Chinese drivers with distinctive, high-quality vehicles.

Ford's Nanjing Research and Engineering Center and Nanjing Test Center are the core of the company's product development operations in China.

Joseph Liu, vice-president of product innovation at Ford China, said the company is also working closely with a number of China's leading technology companies such as Alibaba, Baidu and China Unicom.

Its SYNC+, a new in-vehicle infotainment system powered by Baidu's artificial intelligence technology, is featured in many China-made Ford models. It is expected to bring Chinese consumers a new level of connectivity, making their lives easier and more enjoyable.

Liu said Ford is planning to equip new vehicles in China with C-V2X in 2021, becoming the first market that it offers the technology in. It will enhance the vehicle's perception of its surroundings, helping to improve road safety and traffic efficiency, and promote the development of autonomous driving. China has been the world's largest car market since 2015, but the fast-evolving customer trends in the country in past three years have been presenting both challenges and opportunities, Hackett said.

"Our global transformation and the change we made in China are the exact move to put ourselves in better position to help China economy and customers to experience a better future as a smart world," he said.

Highlights
Hot Topics

...