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 Mazda 2. 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.
