• Ford opened its sixth assembly plant in China, increasing annual capacity by 250,000 vehicles
• New plant is based in Hangzhou, giving Ford a manufacturing base in eastern China
• The new plant features a flexible production line capable of building up to six different vehicle models at a speed of one vehicle every 72 seconds

• The first new vehicle produced at the new plant will be the new Ford Edge

Hangzhou, China, March 24, 2015 – Going further to realize its accelerated China growth plan, Ford and its joint venture Changan Ford (CAF) today opened a new assembly plant in Hangzhou, China.

The Changan Ford Hangzhou Plant represents a US$760 million (RMB 4.9 billion) investment and is the sixth assembly plant producing Ford vehicles in China, increasing capacity for the automaker by 250,000 vehicles. With a new manufacturing base in eastern China, the Hangzhou plant will help Ford meet rapidly growing demand from customer across the country.

“This world-class facility will help us accelerate the delivery of high-quality, innovative products to our customers in China,” said Mark Fields, Ford president and CEO. “The new 3-row Edge demonstrates Ford’s commitment to producing quality, safe, fuel-efficient and smart vehicles.”

Located at Qianjin Industrial Park, Da Jiangdong District , the new plant is a key part of the company’s plan to increase global sales by 45 to 55 percent to approximately 9.4 million vehicles per year by 2020. With the launch of the Hangzhou plant, total annual capacity of Ford’s China joint venture, Changan Ford, will be 1.4 million vehicles.

The plant uses Ford’s best-in-class global technologies, including a flexible production line that can produce up to six different vehicle models. The highly efficient production line is capable of producing one vehicle every 72 seconds.

The first vehicle being manufactured at the plant is the new Ford Edge, part of Ford’s commitment to bring 15 new vehicles to China by 2015. The new Ford Edge is a global product, which made its global debut at the 2014 Guangzhou Auto Show. The vehicle features a third row which was specifically designed to meet the needs of Chinese customers. As Ford’s latest seven-seat vehicle to become available in China, the new Ford Edge demonstrates the world-class quality, excellent fuel economy, exceptional roominess and class-leading safety for which the brand is known.