Send to a friendbil September 24th, 2007 3:03 PM Link
Finally, Mulally is making some bold moves. Ford has become a holding company. Mazda egineered this car and now Nanjing is going to build it. Why does Ford even employ engineers and designers anymore?
Ford May Produce Verve in China for Worldwide Sale
Written By: Phil Floraday
Ford is considering building cars in China for export around the world, according to an Automotive News report. There are two Ford assembly plants in China and a new research and engineering center is due to open next month.
The Mazda2 production is currently underway at the Nanjing plant, which has an annual capacity of 160,000 units. A Ford-brand small car will also be produced at the plant by mid 2008. Ford CEO Alan Mulally said he could see the Verve concept being produced in China.
Chrysler announced plans to have Chery produce a small car in China, for sale in the U.S., earlier this year and Honda is already producing a small car in China for sale in Europe.
Producing cars in China allows manufacturers to save money in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Critics of the idea point to numerous quality issues with Chinese products. Will the quality issues be ironed out by the time Chinese built cars are sold in the U.S.?
+ Automotive News: Ford may export cars from China (subscription may be required)
16 Comments
Gianni September 24th, 2007 5:23 PM Link
It will be painted with lead-based paint and have lots of sharp edges… Badump, bump… Thanks, I’ll be here all week…
Ducati Minor September 24th, 2007 11:40 PM Link
The more sub-compacts, the better. This is a much finer trend than SUVs.
Myself September 25th, 2007 1:41 AM Link
Why not build a real sporty FWD car? Make a Scion tC like car, for once, vs these half-coupe-half-wagon things?
If they do this, I may consider a Ford. If not… there’s still Toyota/Scion.
Thanks.
Mike September 25th, 2007 9:47 AM Link
ChryCo, Ford, GM, listen up:
I WILL NEVER BUY A CHINESE MANUFACTURED VEHICLE. EVER. NO MATTER WHAT BADGE IS ON THE HOOD. NOT GONNA HAPPEN.
CHARLES G. September 25th, 2007 12:46 PM Link
Mike–wanna bet?
MikeK September 25th, 2007 1:07 PM Link
Absolutely. I have an ‘05 TJ that is going to be my kid’s first car. I have worked my way through a number of cherokee’s, etc. I have a ‘52 MG TD waiting in my garage for restoration.
I will rebuild/refurbish before buying a chinese built vehicle. I would rather spend an extra $5k (what, $100/mo?) to buy an american made vehicle.
Ducati Minor September 25th, 2007 1:40 PM Link
I wouldn’t. I don’t support the UAW.
Doug September 25th, 2007 1:47 PM Link
it because daddy had money right, ducati.
Steve K. September 26th, 2007 9:41 AM Link
Finally Ford makes something with some style……..too alas it is made in the wrong country, it could have been another sucess like the Escort or Focus.
Winding Road » Archive » 2 Down, 1 to Go: Ford unveils Verve Sedan Concept in China, Plans Another for Detroit November 19th, 2007 12:00 PM Link
[…] heard Ford was possibly eying China as a key market for its upcoming Verve subcompact, but this is a definite sign. The automaker unveiled today its second Verve concept - […]
Muscle Cars World » Blog Archive » Two Down, One to Go: Ford unveils Verve Sedan Concept in China, Plans Another for Detroit November 19th, 2007 3:44 PM Link
[…] was possibly eying China as a key market for its upcoming Verve subcompact, but this is a definite sign. The automaker unveiled today its second Verve concept - […]
Jon January 9th, 2008 4:39 PM Link
“Bold Promises” for an election year. If Obama takes it, then maybe this effort will get shut down in order to support bloated American union labor. Obama has promised, but probably can’t deliver, strengthening of American Union support.
I’m absolutely not in favor of American Unions, as they increase cost but don’t increase quality, they are pretty much an entitlement program. Unions, IMHO, are the reason that Ford, GM, Chrysler started foreign labor to begin with… to pay big pensions and health care to workers that get stressed if they work 4 hour days.
Anyway… this was inevitable. If Ford is going to pretend to survive in the new global market place then they have to do this… no other way.
Too bad this car looks so much like a Focus… I owned a Focus, and for me, it was my last new Ford. I hated it. Total Euro-crap.
Jon January 9th, 2008 4:39 PM Link
“Bold Promises” for an election year. If Obama takes it, then maybe this effort will get shut down in order to support bloated American union labor. Obama has promised, but probably can’t deliver, strengthening of American Union support.
I’m absolutely not in favor of American Unions, as they increase cost but don’t increase quality, they are pretty much an entitlement program. Unions, IMHO, are the reason that Ford, GM, Chrysler started using foreign labor to begin with… to pay big pensions and health care to workers that get stressed if they work 4 hour days.
Anyway… this was inevitable. If Ford is going to pretend to survive in the new global market place then they have to do this… no other way.
Too bad this car looks so much like a Focus… I owned a Focus, and for me, it was my last new Ford. I hated it. Total Euro-crap.
Winding Road » Archive » ‘08 NAIAS: Ford Shows Third Verve Concept; It’s Another Sedan January 13th, 2008 12:18 AM Link
[…] car is currently slated to launch in Europe in late 2008/ early 2009, with introductions in Asia and North America following in 2010. Seeing as the design is a breath of fresh air for Ford’s […]
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