2010-07-27 09:06

NEW YORK - Ford CEO Alan Mulally said here on Monday that serving Chinese customers is one of their  highest priority, promising to bring all of Ford vehicles to China.

"We have great operation in China, we are expending our operations in China, and bringing all of Ford vehicles to China as quickly as we can," Mulally told Xinhua in an exclusive interview after unveiling its new-generation 2011 Explorer in New York.

"It's a wonderful market, with wonderful customers, and we are really looking forward to serving them even better," the CEO said.

Ford Motor company on Friday posted a 13 percent rise in second quarter profit to $2.6 billion on the back of better sales during the period. The auto-maker posted a 27 percent sales increase in the Asia-Pacific and Africa.

During the first six months of 2010, Ford has delivered its best-ever first-half new vehicle sales results in China. It sold a record 301,524 units in China during this period, up 53 percent compared with the same time a year ago.

Included in these results was Ford's passenger car joint venture in China, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile, which delivered record sales of 205,563 units in the first half, up 46 percent year-on-year.

On Monday, Ford rolled out the new Explorer around the country and on Facebook. The new version weighs 100 pounds less than the last Explorer, and it's more aerodynamic.

"As you know Explorer is in China now, and I think Chinese customers are going to like the improvement, the quality and the capability .... and we will try to get Chinese customers the new Explorer as earlier as next year," said Mulally.

The company noted that it is on track to deliver solid profits this year and continued improvement in 2011. By the end of 2011, Ford expects to move from automotive net debt position to a net cash position.