Ford could begin exporting cars from China, CEO Alan Mulally says. “Export is a possibility,” Mulally said at a media event in China. “It’s all about competitiveness. We will use our research and engineering and manufacturing in China for worldwide operations. The real competitors going forward will be the ones who leverage their assets around the world.” Mulally was in China for the opening of Ford’s second automotive assembly plant.
According to Automotive News, Honda assembles a small car in China and exports it to Europe. China’s Chery Automobile is scheduled to assemble a small car for Dodge dealers in the United States in mid-2009.
Ford’s newest plant — located in Nanjing, China — has an annual capacity of 160,000 units and produces the Mazda2. It is also slated to begin producing a Ford brand small car in the second half of 2008.
The recently shown Verve Concept is a candidate for China-production. “I can imagine making the Verve in China is a possibility,” said Mulally.
It appears more and more automakers are looking to developing areas for vehicle production because of lower overall operating costs, but it remains to be seen if quality standards will slip due to the shift.
09/24, 11:00 AM
posted by:
autonut
I recall their slogan: “Quality is job #1″. I guess after constipated #2 they went China route.
09/24, 11:28 AM
posted by:
maximus
so the lesson is to not buy the Verve?
09/24, 11:32 AM
posted by:
A4
NO NO NO EUROPE YOU IDIOTS EUROPE NOT CHINA
09/24, 11:48 AM
posted by:
HoosierHero
I don’t trust Chinese cars farther than I can drive them, which isn’t far. Let them catch up to other places like India before you go outsourcing your products to them. A car isn’t the same as an Elmo doll…
09/24, 1:56 PM
posted by:
lamboz get a life
They will all be sprayed with lead paint.
Nothing like supporting the one’s whom hate you.
09/24, 3:26 PM
posted by:
Elvio
Most of you has been brain washed by the media like CNN and FOX long time ago.
09/24, 6:33 PM
posted by:
2008PowerStrokeF450Lariat
and even a elmo doll is a very cautious buy lol
09/24, 7:44 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Well, the day that happens (when Chinese-built cars are sold in North America) will be the day that Ford will become my enemy.
09/25, 12:27 AM
posted by:
DialM4Speed
It should work great. Think about it…. Just about everything in your local Wal-Mart comes from China and who’s the biggest retailer on the friggin planet? And Americans have shown they don’t really care anyway since most of them wouldn’t drive a Ford or any other domestic car even if they got it free.
09/25, 4:03 AM
posted by:
Got Handling?
If that isn’t a warning shot to the UAW, i don’t know what is
09/25, 8:10 AM
posted by:
Luca
I like Ford. I owned and drove a Ford Escort, and I was very satisfied. Last Mondeo is gorgeous and I like Verve concept very much, hoping next Fiesta will be almost the same, but, if the new Fiesta/Verve is going to be built in China I will not but it. I don’t trust chinese products of any kind, not to mention a car which is supposed to be built to save your own life in the worst case, an accident. Sorry for Ford, sorry for any car producer, chinese made cars are not reliable, and they will never be, as far as china is a dictatorship where quality control is under the shadow of ruling party control. Please keep it in mind. I ask automobiles corporation to produce in china only to sell into chinese market, to give theme what they deserve and ask for.
09/25, 11:38 AM
posted by:
swamprat
Another Way Forward over the cliff for Ford. I hate all car companies at this point.
09/29, 1:01 PM
posted by:
sharpie
China or not, if the quality control is there and the car meets US regulation and holds up, I will buy one. BUT the jury is still out and will be for at least three years after the car is launched.
09/29, 6:51 PM
posted by:
BLISS
FRESH START……GO