The plan was announced by Ford just before the opening of the Shanghai Motor Show, and the ambitious Detroit carmaker intends to introduce up to 15 new models in China by 2015, as well as doubling its existing workforce in the country. China is a vital market for Ford, as the company expects 70 per cent of its growth over the next ten years to come from developing countries in the Asia-Pacific and Africa.

"Together with our partners, we are leveraging the strength of the One Ford plan and our global platforms to bring 15 new vehicles to China by 2015, reinforcing our commitment to offer a full portfolio of vehicles for our Chinese customers," said Joe Hinrichs, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa president. "The 15 new vehicles are part of Ford's plans to introduce 50 new products and powertrains to the Asia Pacific region by 2015," Hinrichs added.

To help Ford achieve its targets, the company will double the number of dealerships it has in China, from 340 currently, to 680. The first of the 15 new models that Ford will introduce for China will be the new Ford Focus, which will be built in the Chinese city of Chongqing in 2012 at a brand new factory that will cost $490 million and have a capacity of 150,000 units a year

Ford is also planning to double its workforce in China by adding another 1200 jobs. About 550 of the jobs will be in sectors like engineering, manufacturing, marketing sales and service, finance, IT, communications, government affairs and legal division. The new jobs will be located at the company's operations in Shanghai, Chongqing, Nanjing and Nanchang.

Source: Ford