Ford?Motor China posted sales of 172,411 units for the first-half of this year, a 21-percent increase over the same period last year, the company said yesterday.

First-half sales of Ford cars and commercial vehicles reached 103,698 units, a 15-percent year-on-year increase.

Ford's car joint venture, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co Ltd, delivered 116,903 units during January to June with a 25 percent sales growth year-on-year, ranking it among the top 10 manufacturers in China.

Jiangling Motors Corporation, Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China, delivered 52,000 units sales for the first half, a 14 percent growth over last year. This included a 17 percent year-on-year increase in sales of the Ford Transit.

The US car maker plans to introduce its new Fiesta in the second half of this year to tap the growing demand for small- engined vehicles.

The Ford S-MAX 7-seat safety upgrade version and Ford S-MAX 5-seat version were also to be introduced to the market during the second quarter.

(Shanghai Daily July 10, 2008)