Ford Grows ASEAN Sales Without EVs, Hybrids in Play

Ford says infrastructure is one of the big considerations as it decides on the timing of its introduction of hybrid and electric cars in Thailand and other areas of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“In order for electrification to take off, we need easy access to plug-ins as well as a power-grid system that produces electricity with cleaner methods than dirty coal,” Chairman Bill Ford tells reporters in Bangkok.

“I'm optimistic about this technology, but it's also frustrating with the (lack of) infrastructure.”

The English-language The Nation newspaper quotes Bill Ford as saying the Focus EV recently was offered as a fleet demonstration in China, but has not been marketed there commercially.

Ford ASEAN President Matt Bradley says the auto maker has raised its market share in the region dramatically in the past two years thanks to the introduction of “One Ford” models such as the Fiesta, Focus and Ranger.

“In ASEAN, our share rose from 1.9% in 2010 to slightly more than 3% in 2012,” he says, noting Ford’s market share in Thailand has risen from 1.6% in 2010 to 4% this year.

He says Ford posted record sales in six of the first 10 months of this year, and expects a best-ever result for the full year, driven by deliveries of the Fiesta subcompact that qualifies for the government's first-car buyer program.

Ford’s next major product for the region is the EcoSport small SUV in 2013 or 2014. The auto maker’s EcoBoost engines also will be offered in future models in this region.

Bill Ford says the company’s strength as a global operation allows it to take any product from around the world and offer it in Southeast Asia. “We're happy with sales and production in Thailand and ASEAN,” he says.