11:05AM - 29.04.'16
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News Source: autoblog.com Automotive News-sub.req.
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At least in China, Ford is dreaming about the green. Ford wants to have as much as 25 percent of its models sold in China to be either hybrids or plug-in vehicles by the end of the decade, says Automotive News, citing Ford China CEO John Lawler. The Blue Oval will start selling a hybrid variant of its Mondeo there later this year and will introduce the C-Max Energi Plug-in Hybrid by early next year. The company didn't provide any details on the other upcoming hybrid or plug-in models in what's now the world's largest light-duty vehicle market. Ford is looking to build upon rising sales in a market where the government is boosting incentives to get more people to buy advanced-powertrain vehicles. To qualify, the vehicles need to plug in and be able to travel at least 31 miles in all-electric mode. With its new China plan, Ford is following the example of fellow US automaker General Motors, departing from Ford's recent strategy of upping sales by offering new gas-powered crossover vehicles in China. GM wants to have at least 10 plug-in vehicle models available in China by the end of the decade, though the company was similarly mum about details beyond the Cadillac CT6 Plug-in Hybrid and plans for its late-2016 debut. China accounts for about a third of GM's annual revenue. Ford's sales in China rose three percent last year to a record 1.12 million vehicles. The trend increased this year, with Ford's first-quarter sales up 14 percent from a year earlier to more than 314,000 vehicles. Globally, Ford plans to invest $4.5 billion to have as many as 13 new plug-ins and hybrids on the market by 2020. Last year, Ford sold about 72,000 hybrids and plug-ins in the US. That was down 24 percent from the previous year. |
