Core Viewpoint - Ford's launch of the 2026 Mondeo has sparked significant backlash from existing owners of the 2022-2025 models, who are dissatisfied with the performance of their vehicle's infotainment system, which they claim has become unusable and poses safety risks [2][3][5] Summary by Sections Product Launch and Customer Complaints - The 2026 Mondeo has been officially launched with a price range of 149,800 to 199,800 yuan, featuring upgrades in power, intelligence, and design [3] - Existing Mondeo owners have reported severe issues with their vehicle's infotainment system, describing it as outdated and non-functional, leading to frustrations over the lack of promised features [5][7] Infotainment System Issues - The older Mondeo models are equipped with the Qualcomm 820A chip, which has been criticized for frequent lag, system crashes, and safety concerns, including incidents of blackouts while driving [5][7] - Owners are demanding software upgrades to improve connectivity and are willing to pay for hardware upgrades to newer systems, but Ford has stated that such upgrades are not feasible due to hardware limitations [7] New Model Controversies - Ford's new electric model, the Ford Smart Mustang, has also faced criticism regarding its design and features, with consumers questioning its resemblance to other models and the necessity of additional payments for key functionalities [9][10] - The Smart Mustang is positioned as a versatile SUV with a pre-sale price between 229,800 and 272,800 yuan, but its sales performance remains uncertain amid ongoing criticisms [9][10] Financial Performance and Strategic Challenges - Ford's electric vehicle segment has reported significant losses, with a projected loss of $5.1 billion in 2024, prompting a reevaluation of its electric strategy [10][11] - Ford's sales in China have drastically declined, with 2024 projections estimating sales at 442,000 units, only one-third of its peak sales in 2016 [13][14] - The establishment of the Ford Sales Service Company aims to unify the operations of its joint ventures, Changan Ford and Jiangling Ford, which have been struggling with internal competition and declining sales [15]

Core Viewpoint - Ford's recent launch of the 2026 Mondeo has sparked significant backlash from existing owners of the 2022-2025 models, who are dissatisfied with the performance of their vehicle's infotainment system, which they claim has become unusable and poses safety risks [1][2][3] Group 1: Mondeo Launch and Customer Complaints - The 2026 Mondeo has been officially launched with a price range of 149,800 to 199,800 yuan, featuring upgrades in power, intelligence, and design [2] - Existing Mondeo owners report severe issues with their vehicle's infotainment system, citing frequent crashes and a lack of essential connectivity features, which contradicts the manufacturer's promises [2][3] - Over 360 Mondeo owners have filed collective complaints, demanding software upgrades for their current systems and the option to pay for new hardware that supports better performance [3] Group 2: New Model Criticism - Ford's new electric model, the Ford Zhiqu Lema, has also faced criticism regarding its design and configuration, with some industry experts questioning its authenticity and market appeal [4][5] - The Zhiqu Lema is marketed as a versatile SUV with a starting price of 229,800 to 272,800 yuan, but features such as the roof-lifting function and bed conversion require additional payments, leading to consumer dissatisfaction [4][5] Group 3: Financial Performance and Strategic Challenges - Ford's electric vehicle segment has reported significant losses, with a projected loss of $5.1 billion in 2024, prompting a reevaluation of its electric strategy [5][6] - Sales figures for Ford's electric models in China have been disappointing, with monthly sales often in single digits, indicating a failure in the company's transition to electric vehicles [5][6] - Ford China has established a new sales service company to unify its operations and address internal competition between its joint ventures, but the lack of a successful electric vehicle model raises concerns about the effectiveness of this strategy [8]

Core Insights - Nissan's Ariya has experienced disappointing sales in the competitive Chinese electric vehicle market, with only 1 unit sold in September 2025 and a maximum monthly sales of 988 units in October 2023 [2] - Despite being an early entrant in the electric vehicle sector with the Leaf, Nissan has struggled to replicate this success with the Ariya, which has seen persistently low sales since its launch in 2022 [2] Pricing Strategy - The pricing strategy for the Ariya, set between 270,000 to 340,000 RMB, has been a significant factor in its poor sales performance, placing it in a highly competitive segment against established brands like Tesla and emerging Chinese manufacturers [3] - Nissan's brand value does not sufficiently support the high price point in the electric vehicle market, leading to consumer reluctance to purchase [3] - Attempts to lower prices later on have resulted in negative perceptions among early buyers and potential customers, creating a cycle of distrust regarding the brand's value retention [3] Product Performance - The Ariya lacks key selling points such as advanced technology and smart features, which are crucial for attracting Chinese consumers [4] - While it maintains Nissan's traditional strengths in comfort and build quality, its performance metrics, such as a CLTC range of approximately 600 kilometers and acceleration times of 5-7 seconds, do not stand out against competitors [4] - The vehicle's software and user interface fall short compared to systems from competitors like Huawei and Xiaopeng, diminishing its appeal [4] - Issues with winter range reduction and reliability have further tarnished the Ariya's reputation, contradicting earlier claims of its battery's performance in extreme conditions [4] Market Adaptation - In contrast, the Nissan N7, launched at a starting price of 119,900 RMB, has achieved monthly sales of around 6,000 units since April 2023, indicating that Nissan may have learned from the Ariya's challenges and is adapting to the Chinese electric vehicle market [5]

Core Points - Ford China is facing significant backlash from hundreds of owners of older Mondeo models due to complaints about their vehicle's infotainment systems becoming non-functional, which raises safety concerns [1][2][3] - The launch of the 2026 Mondeo has highlighted the disparity in technology between new and old models, with the new model featuring advanced capabilities that older models lack [2][3] - Ford's new electric vehicle, the Ford Zhiqu Lema, is also receiving criticism for its design and configuration, indicating broader issues within Ford's product offerings in China [4][5] Summary by Sections Mondeo Complaints - Hundreds of Mondeo owners have collectively complained about their vehicles' infotainment systems, describing them as outdated and non-functional, which poses safety risks [1][2] - The older Mondeo models are equipped with the Qualcomm 820A chip, leading to frequent system crashes and failures in navigation and voice control [2][3] - Owners are demanding software upgrades to support mainstream smartphone connectivity and are willing to pay for hardware upgrades to newer systems [3] New Model Launch - The 2026 Mondeo has been launched with a price range of 149,800 to 199,800 yuan, featuring significant upgrades in power, intelligence, and design [2] - The disparity in technology between the new and old models has caused dissatisfaction among existing customers, who feel misled by the manufacturer's promises [2] Electric Vehicle Challenges - The Ford Zhiqu Lema, a new electric SUV, has faced criticism for its design and the necessity of paid options for key features, which has led to negative perceptions among potential buyers [4][5] - Ford's electric vehicle strategy in China has been under scrutiny, with the company reporting significant losses in its electric vehicle segment [5][6] Company Performance and Strategy - Ford China has been struggling with declining sales and profitability, with a significant drop in vehicle sales from a peak of 1.27 million units in 2016 to an expected 442,000 units in 2024 [6][7] - The establishment of the Ford Sales Service Company aims to unify the operations of its joint ventures, Changan Ford and Jiangling Ford, to improve market performance [8][9] - Despite these efforts, the lack of a successful electric vehicle model raises concerns about the effectiveness of the company's restructuring strategy [9]

Core Points - Ford's 2026 Mondeo has been launched, but existing owners of the 2022-2025 models are expressing dissatisfaction due to issues with the vehicle's infotainment system, which they claim has become non-functional and poses safety risks [1][2][4] - The company has not responded to the complaints from Mondeo owners, stating that the hardware differences between old and new models prevent upgrades to the infotainment system [6][12] - Ford's new electric model, the Ford Intelligent Mustang, is also facing criticism regarding its design and configuration, reflecting broader challenges in the company's sales and financial performance in China [7][9] Infotainment System Issues - Owners of the 2022-2025 Mondeo models report frequent system crashes and performance issues due to outdated hardware, specifically the Qualcomm 820A chip, leading to significant operational delays and safety concerns [4][5] - Complaints include the lack of promised features such as mainstream smartphone connectivity options, with owners feeling that the actual product does not match the marketing claims [5][6] Sales and Financial Performance - Ford's sales in China have significantly declined, with 2024 projections estimating only 442,000 units sold, a drop to one-third of peak sales in 2016 [14][15] - Both joint ventures, Changan Ford and Jiangling Ford, are struggling, with Changan Ford's sales down 7.56% and Jiangling Ford's down 33.8% in the first three quarters of the year [15][16] - The company has reported substantial financial losses in its electric vehicle segment, with losses projected to reach $51 billion in 2024, prompting a reevaluation of its electric strategy [10][11] Strategic Restructuring - In response to ongoing challenges, Ford China has established a new sales service company to unify the operations of its joint ventures and improve market performance [12][16] - The appointment of a new president for the sales service company aims to address internal competition and streamline operations, although the success of this restructuring remains uncertain without a strong electric vehicle offering [16][17]

Group 1 - Zhu Huarong has resigned as the chairman of Changan Ford, following his departure from the chairman position at Avita Technology, with Zhao Fei taking over the role [3] - The leadership changes at Changan Ford include the exit of Wang Jun and Wang Hui from the board, while new members such as Liu Hong, Zhang Xiaoyu, Wang Xiaofei, and Chen Yuting have been appointed [3] - Zhu Huarong stated that he will focus more on the group's strategy and other business areas after the establishment of the new central enterprise, China Changan Automobile [3] Group 2 - Zhao Fei, who has a background in technology and management, has been appointed as the new chairman of Changan Ford, having previously held various positions within the company [4] - Changan Ford is currently undergoing a transformation phase, facing challenges in its fuel vehicle sales and slow progress in its transition to electric vehicles [4] - In 2024, Changan Ford's sales are projected to rebound to 247,000 units, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 5.97% [4] Group 3 - The current models sold by Changan Ford include Mondeo, Edge, and Explorer, while the performance of the Ford electric Mustang has been underwhelming [5] - The newly appointed executives at Changan Ford have strong backgrounds in technology and electric vehicle development, indicating a shift towards innovation [5] - The recent leadership changes signify a new development phase for Changan Ford, coinciding with a major restructuring of Ford's sales channels in China [5] Group 4 - Ford China has established a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Ford Sales and Service Company, to manage marketing, sales, and service for Ford vehicles in China, with Chen Xiaobo as president [6] - The integration of Changan Ford and Jiangling Ford's sales channels is expected to enhance the sales capabilities of Changan Ford [6] Group 5 - Liu Hong, a new board member at Changan Ford, has extensive experience within the Jiangling Ford system, which may provide valuable support for product sales [7]

Core Viewpoint - Ford China is restructuring its sales channels by establishing a wholly-owned subsidiary, Ford Automotive Sales Service (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., to manage marketing, sales, and service for Ford's passenger cars and pickups in China, effective October 1 [2][4]. Group 1: Company Restructuring - The new subsidiary will consolidate the sales services of Ford's two joint ventures in China: Jiangling Ford and Changan Ford, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and profitability amid increasing market competition [3][6]. - Chen Xiaobo has been appointed as the president of the new sales service company, reporting to Ford China's president and CEO, Wu Shengbo [5][6]. - Jiangling Motors has signed a distribution service contract with the new company, indicating that it will still participate in the sales of Ford vehicles, sharing sales responsibilities with the new entity [7]. Group 2: Market Challenges - Ford is facing significant pressure in the Chinese market, with declining sales and the need for transformation, as evidenced by a 16.43% year-on-year drop in Changan Ford's sales in the first five months of the year [4][12]. - Jiangling Ford's projected sales from 2022 to 2024 are not expected to exceed 50,000 units, with losses exceeding 1.6 billion yuan during the same period [13]. - The competitive landscape in the Chinese automotive market is intensifying, prompting Ford to consolidate resources to improve efficiency and maintain competitiveness [10][14]. Group 3: Historical Context - This is not Ford's first attempt at channel integration in China; previous efforts, such as the establishment of the National Dealer Service Development (NDSD) in 2018, were unsuccessful due to limitations in resource allocation [9]. - The automotive industry expert Mei Songlin noted that the current market conditions necessitate channel consolidation to enhance operational efficiency, especially as foreign and joint venture brands face declining sales [10].

Core Viewpoint - Ford China has announced the establishment of Ford Sales Service Company in Shanghai, merging the sales and service operations of Jiangling Ford and Changan Ford, in response to declining sales and significant losses in the electric vehicle sector [1][6][8] Group 1: Strategic Adjustments - The newly formed Ford Sales Service Company will manage marketing, sales, and service for Ford's passenger cars and pickup trucks in China, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience [3][9] - The integration of Jiangling Ford and Changan Ford channels is expected to consolidate approximately 300 dealerships, improving profitability for dealers [3][9] Group 2: Market Performance - Ford's sales in China have been declining, with Changan Ford experiencing a drop in sales for several consecutive months, leading to the closure of some dealerships [6][7] - In Q2 2025, Ford reported revenue of $50.184 billion, a 4.97% increase, but net profit turned to a loss of $36 million, marking a downward trend for two consecutive years [6][7] Group 3: Electric Vehicle Challenges - Ford's electric vehicle business has faced substantial losses, with a reported loss of $5.1 billion in 2024 and $1.3 billion in Q2 2025 [6][7] - The company is accelerating its electric vehicle strategy, investing an additional $5 billion to develop new electric platforms and models, but has fallen behind competitors in the EV market [8][9] Group 4: Future Outlook - Experts suggest that while the channel integration may reduce internal conflicts and enhance dealer profitability in the short term, Ford must invest in product development tailored to the Chinese market and improve supply chain efficiency for long-term success [9]

Core Insights - Ford China announced the establishment of Ford Sales Service Company in Shanghai, merging the sales and service operations of Jiangling Ford and Changan Ford to address ongoing challenges in the Chinese market [1][3] - The integration aims to reduce internal competition and enhance dealer profitability, but experts suggest that Ford must also invest in product strength and optimize supply chains to achieve long-term success [1][10] Group 1: Strategic Adjustments - The newly formed Ford Sales Service Company will manage marketing, sales, and service for Ford's passenger cars and pickups in China, with Jiangling Ford entrusting the company for distribution services [3] - The integration will consolidate approximately 110 Jiangling Ford dealerships and 270 Changan Ford dealerships into around 300, depending on future planning [3][10] Group 2: Market Performance - Ford's sales in China have been declining, with Changan Ford experiencing a drop in sales for several consecutive months, leading to the closure of some dealerships [7][8] - In Q2 2025, Ford reported revenue of $50.184 billion, a 4.97% increase, but net profit turned to a loss of $36 million, marking a downward trend for two consecutive years [7] Group 3: Electric Vehicle Challenges - Ford's electric vehicle segment has faced significant losses, with a reported $5.1 billion loss in 2024 and $1.3 billion in Q2 2025 [8][9] - The company is investing an additional $5 billion to enhance its electric vehicle offerings, including a new electric vehicle platform and models [9] Group 4: Future Outlook - Experts emphasize the need for Ford to improve product strength and develop electric or hybrid models tailored to the Chinese market, while also enhancing brand marketing and exploring direct or online sales models [10]

Core Viewpoint - Ford is restructuring its operations in Europe, particularly in its Cologne electric vehicle plant, due to lower-than-expected demand for electric vehicles, leading to a shift from a two-shift to a single-shift operation and potential layoffs of up to 1,000 employees [3][6][10] Group 1: Restructuring and Workforce Adjustments - Starting January 2025, Ford will reduce the Cologne plant's operations to a single shift, with plans to cut up to 1,000 jobs primarily through voluntary departures and buyouts [3][6] - This decision is part of a broader restructuring plan initiated in late 2024, aiming to optimize approximately 4,000 positions in Europe by 2027, with Germany and the UK being the most affected regions [3][8] - Ford attributes the layoffs to weak electric vehicle demand, necessitating adjustments in production capacity and workforce [3][10] Group 2: Market Conditions and Strategic Shifts - The Cologne plant was initially seen as a model for Ford's electric vehicle strategy in Europe, having received around $2 billion in investments for its transformation into an electric vehicle hub [7][12] - However, the actual sales figures have fallen short of expectations, influenced by insufficient charging infrastructure and a lack of government incentives [6][13] - Ford's earlier commitment to exclusively sell electric vehicles in Europe by 2030 has shifted to a more flexible approach, allowing for a mix of fuel and hybrid models based on market demand [18][19] Group 3: Product Line Adjustments - Ford continues to sell the Mustang Mach-E, which targets brand and performance, while introducing new models like the Puma Gen-E to cater to entry-level price points [14][18] - The company has also localized battery pack assembly in Cologne to enhance logistics and quality stability [12][19] - Despite an overall increase in electric vehicle registrations in the EU, Ford's individual performance has been impacted by market dynamics, leading to a reassessment of production schedules [17][19]