Ford Sales in China Plunge 38%

Ford Motor Co. says its sales in China plummeted to 62,100 vehicles in June from 100,300 units in the same month last year.

The company’s deliveries in China through the first half of 2018 tumbled 25% to 400,400 units. The decline follows a 6% drop last year. Ford concedes its problem is a lack of new models that should be remedied next year as refreshed designs flow into showrooms.

Ford also has lacked a formal head of its Chinese operations since January, when Jason Luo quit for personal reasons after only five months in the position. Peter Fleet, the president of Ford Asia Pacific, has filled in pending a permanent replacement.

LMC Automotive adds that increasing competition from domestic Chinese carmakers also is taking a toll on Ford sales. The market research company notes that other mainstream foreign brands, such as Hyundai, Kia and Peugeot, also have struggled in China over the past two years.