Ford to launch 2 new models in July

Manila, Philippines -  Ford Philippines is expected to introduce two more new models in July to strengthen its presence in the local market.

In a statement released late Friday, Ford Philippines said it would launch the all-new Focus and the Mustang sports car in July, with customer deliveries starting in September. 

During the first quarter of the year, Ford Philippines launched the all-new Ranger and the Explorer 2.0 liter GTDi with EcoBoost. Ford said customer delivery of the all-new Ranger and the Explorer would begin in July.

“We’re gearing up for a strong second half of the year, and are looking forward to driving even more excitement with the market launch of so many, new and segment-leading One Ford vehicles,” said Ford Philippines president Randy Krieger.

To support the expansion of its vehicle lineup, Ford Philippines is also adding 12 new dealership hubs in the country this year to expand its sales network. By the end of the year, Ford should have 35 locations nationwide.

Ford reported overall May sales of 675 units, down from 817 units in May 2011.

Ford said sales of the five-door hatchback Fiesta accounted for more than half of its May sales at 356 units, up 34 percent from April.

Sales of the all-new Ford Explorer 3.5 liter SUV also rose 15 percent from last month to 84 units.

Ford expects sales of the SUV model would rise as deliveries of the all-new Ford Explorer 2.0 liter GTDi with EcoBoost begins in July.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) has not yet released the official sales report of its member companies for May.

Ford Philippines distributes the passenger cars Fiesta and Focus; the SUVs Escape, Everest, Explorer and Expedition. Also the truck models Ranger and E-150.

Ford’s P4-billion plant in Sta. Rosa Laguna has a production capacity of 25,000 vehicles per year and is capable of producing at least four different vehicle platforms. The plant currently assembles the Escape SUV for domestic consumption. It also manufactures the Tribute SUV and Protege sedan for export to Thailand and Indonesia.