Group 1 - Ford has announced the establishment of a wholly-owned subsidiary in Shanghai to manage marketing, sales, and service for its passenger cars and pickup trucks in China, with operations starting on October 1 [1] - Previously, Ford sold cars in China primarily through joint ventures, specifically Changan Ford and Jiangling Ford, with the latter dating back to 1995 [3][6] - Ford's sales peaked in 2016 at 1.27 million units but saw a significant decline to 560,000 units by 2019 due to product gaps and competitive pressures [9] Group 2 - The transition from commercial to passenger vehicles at Jiangling Ford has not been successful, with reported net losses of 106 million, 839 million, and 677 million yuan from 2022 to 2024 [22] - Ford's strategy to unify its sales channels for Changan Ford and Jiangling Ford aims to eliminate internal competition and streamline operations, similar to Mazda's previous consolidation efforts [25] - The company is also adjusting its product strategy by introducing previously hidden models like the Ranger and Mustang to cater to niche markets, which may serve as a self-rescue strategy [27][30]

Core Viewpoint - Joint ventures in the automotive industry are facing challenges, leading to strategic contractions, with recent rumors about the merger of Jiangling Ford and Changan Ford being denied by both parties [1][3]. Group 1: Company Statements - Jiangling Motors stated that it has no plans for asset restructuring or integration, emphasizing its focus on maintaining competitiveness and enhancing operational efficiency with partners [3]. - Ford China reiterated its commitment to building a sustainable sales service network and improving overall profitability through collaboration with joint venture partners and dealers [3][5]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Ford achieved a net profit of approximately $600 million (around 44.09 billion RMB) in the Chinese market in 2024, marking its first profit in China in seven years [1][6]. - Jiangling Ford's sales reached nearly 50,000 units, while Changan Ford's sales rebounded to 247,000 units in 2024 [6]. Group 3: Strategic Changes - Ford has shifted its strategy to focus on profitability over volume, discontinuing low-margin small cars and concentrating on high-margin larger vehicles [5]. - The company has also expanded its growth avenues by developing an export business, with 168,000 units expected to be exported in 2024 [5]. Group 4: Historical Context - Jiangling Motors has been collaborating with Ford since 1995, with Ford holding a 32% stake in Jiangling as of 2024 [4]. - The partnership has evolved over the years, with Jiangling Ford focusing on off-road SUVs and pickup trucks, while Changan Ford specializes in sedans and urban SUVs [4].

Core Viewpoint - The news discusses the denial of rumors regarding the merger of Jiangling Ford into Changan Ford, emphasizing the ongoing strategic adjustments and profitability improvements of Ford in the Chinese market [2][3][6]. Group 1: Company Statements - Jiangling Motors stated that it has no plans for asset restructuring or integration, aiming to maintain competitiveness and enhance operational efficiency with its partners [2][3]. - Ford China reiterated its commitment to building a sustainable sales service network and improving overall profitability through collaboration with joint venture partners and dealers [3][6]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Ford achieved a net profit of approximately $600 million (about 44.09 billion RMB) in the Chinese market for 2024, marking its first profitability in China in seven years [2][7]. - Jiangling Ford's sales reached nearly 50,000 units, while Changan Ford's sales rebounded to 247,000 units in 2024 [7]. Group 3: Historical Context and Partnerships - Jiangling Motors has been collaborating with Ford since 1995, with Ford holding a 32% stake in Jiangling as of 2024, making it the second-largest shareholder [4][5]. - The partnership has evolved over the years, with Jiangling Ford focusing on off-road SUVs and pickup trucks, while Changan Ford specializes in sedans and urban SUVs [5]. Group 4: Market Challenges and Strategic Changes - Ford's sales in China peaked in 2016 but faced significant declines, particularly after a misstep with the three-cylinder engine in 2019, leading to a loss of $572 million in 2022 [6]. - Under the leadership of Wu Shengbo, Ford China has undergone significant reforms, shifting focus to high-margin vehicles and expanding export operations, with 168,000 units expected to be exported in 2024 [6][7]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Ford is working on electrification but has been slower in this transition compared to competitors, with plans to develop new electric models in response to consumer demand for off-road electric vehicles [7].

Core Viewpoint - Jiangling Motors denies rumors of merging Jiangling Ford with Changan Ford, stating no asset restructuring plans are in place [2] Group 1: Company Operations - Jiangling Motors has been collaborating with Ford since 1995, initially producing light passenger vehicles, and has since transitioned to passenger vehicles with the introduction of SUVs and MPVs [2] - Jiangling Ford focuses on the SUV and pickup market, while Changan Ford targets traditional passenger vehicles, creating a complementary product offering for Ford in China [3] Group 2: Market Performance - Ford's sales in China have significantly declined from nearly 1.27 million units in 2016 to 467,000 units in 2023, a drop of 63% [3] - Despite Jiangling Ford's denial of a merger, Ford is undergoing major adjustments in China, including focusing on core businesses and accelerating electrification [3][4] - In 2022, Jiangling Ford's passenger vehicle sales were 48,000 units, projected to decline to 39,000 units in 2023 and 35,000 units in 2024 [5] Group 3: Financial Performance - Ford reported a profit of approximately $600 million (around 4.3 billion RMB) in China last year, marking its first profit in seven years [4] - Changan Ford's sales increased by 5.97% year-on-year last year, but faced a 16.43% decline in the first five months of this year [5]