APA – Ford Motor Company reported an impressive July performance in Asia Pacific and Africa, fueled by increasing sales of the globally award-winning All-New Fiesta, which continues to attract many new-to-Ford customers throughout most of the region's markets.

Ford recorded strong sales and increased share in APA, most notably in the ASEAN region, which achieved its all-time best monthly performance. The strong July sales helped the APA region continue to drive up significant overall year-to-date sales by 21 percent to 475,539 retail units, compared to the same period in 2010. 

Ford Motor China sold 35,235 retail vehicles this July, a one percent increase compared to July 2010. Ford's continued expansion in China was supported by sales of 283,554 retail units from January to July 2011, up 15 percent from the same period last year.

Changan Ford Mazda Automobile (CFMA), Ford Motor's passenger vehicle joint-venture in China, sold 20,409 Ford-brand retail vehicles in July, maintaining steady sales compared to 20,023 retail units in July 2010. So far this year, CFMA has sold 172,091 Ford-brand retail units, a 16 percent increase from the same period last year. These results were led by strong sales of the Ford Focus and the All-New Ford Fiesta, which have sold 103,750 and 35,041 retail units, respectively, this year.

Fiesta has sold more than 150,000 units in China since it hit the market two years ago, and over 15 million Fiestas have been produced globally since it was first introduced 35 years ago.

Ford Motor China released wholesale figures on August 11, reporting 32,320 wholesale vehicles sold this July, and 306,830 wholesale units sold within the first seven months of the year (wholesale figures represent "sales" from the factory to the dealer, and retail sales represent sales from the dealer to the customer).

In the first seven months of 2011, Ford India sold 54,860 retail vehicles, compared to 40,566 units sold during the same period last year – a 35 percent increase. In July, Ford India sold 7,094 retail units, compared to 7,814 units in July 2010.

Ford India also announced in July that it will invest approximately USD 1 billion to build a state-of-the-art vehicle manufacturing plant and an engine plant in Sanand, Gujarat.

An investment of USD 72 million to expand its powertrain facility in Chennai, as well as to support its sales and export growth plans in the country, was also announced by Ford India earlier this year.

Ford India released wholesale figures on August 1, reporting 58,669 year-to-date wholesale vehicles sold, while July saw sales of 7,519 wholesale units.

The ASEAN region continued its impressive run this year with overall July retail sales of 7,024 units, a 134 percent leap from the same month last year and representing its all-time best monthly total.

Ford Thailand led the way with overall retail sales soaring 285 percent year-over-year to 3,035 units – its second best all-time monthly performance. The All-New Ford Fiesta turned in its best month since launch – the seventh consecutive month it has eclipsed the previous monthly high – with sales of 2,060 vehicles and a 13.8 percent share of its segment.

Ford Motor Indonesia (FMI) recorded its best-ever monthly results in July with overall retail sales climbing 165 percent year-over-year to 1,717 units. The record month was supported by Ranger's best retail sales of the year and Fiesta's second-best monthly performance since its launch last year.

In Vietnam, Ford retail sales rose by 63 percent in July from a year ago to 871 units, representing an overall market share of 8.8 percent, its highest since January 2007. Fiesta grabbed an extraordinary 25 percent share of its segment, outselling all competitors in only its second month since being launched. Focus sales jumped 58 percent year-on-year, with Transit sales rising 24 percent.

Ford Lio Ho (FLH) in Taiwan gained considerable market share and saw monthly retail sales jump in July by more than 10 percent, compared to the same period last year. The growing momentum was led by Focus, with 789 units sold in July, up 25 percent from the previous month and second best month of 2011. Over the first seven months of this year, 13,134 Ford vehicles have been sold in Taiwan, a 26 percent year-over-year increase.

In Australia, July retail sales increased by five percent compared to the same period in 2010, led by Territory, which improved sales by 64 percent year-over-year, and Mondeo which increased sales by 37 percent in the same period. Focus and Ranger also contributed to Australia's strong July performance, with sales up 29 percent and 11 percent, respectively, compared to July 2010.

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) expanded market share with total July retail sales increasing by 15 percent. Driven by continued strong sales of Figo and by the introduction of the new Focus, FMCSA's passenger car retail sales saw a year-over-year increase of 15 percent in July. Total retail sales of its Light Commercial Vehicles also expanded with a 16 percent jump from the same period last year.