China is fast becoming a lucrative market for Ford Motor Company, as the American automaker sold 1.27 million cars in the country. That accounts for a massive 13.6 percent increase from its 2015 sales in the world's second-largest economy.
December was a particularly groundbreaking month for Ford in China last year, during which it has sold 149,856 cars in China, a full 21.3 percent higher than its Dec. 2015 sales in the country. Such impressive figures were sparked by greater demand for SUVs and mid-sized vehicles in the country.
The Edge and Explorer are two of Ford's most popular SUVs in China last year, with both having recorded drastically-increased sales figures of 123 percent and 36 percent, respectively, compared to those in 2015. The Mustang, particularly popular among Chinese consumers, increased its sales in the country this year by 45 percent.
Ford's luxury arm, Lincoln Motor Company, dramatically increased its sales volume in China last year. The Detroit News reported that Lincoln sold 32,558 vehicles in 2016, a figure that's almost thrice the number of cars sold under the high-end marque in 2015 (11,630 vehicles).
Fox Business remarked that Ford's outstanding sales performance in China has elevated the country's profile in the eyes of the company's global sales strategies. Making that even more impressive is the fact that the company only began making waves in the country for the past five years.
Peter Fleet, vice president of Ford's marketing, sales, and service in the Asia-Pacific, said that the company built its sales momentum in China from strength to strength. Such is largely due to the positive results yielded by its comprehensive line-up expansion, particularly for its SUVs.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's impending ascent may threaten Ford's upward trajectory in China, what with the firebrand's volatile position against the country. But if things go well between Trump and China, everything should go well for Ford as it makes itself more endearing to Chinese consumers.