This is a story that is not getting a lot of play in the U.S. but it is big news in China. Based on an article from The Epoch Times, the Ford Motor Company is recalling over 236,643 Focus sedan cars in China.
The problem is with the Ford Focus models made between August 2008 and May 28, 2010. About two percent of drivers had problems with the ignition that causes the vehicles to stall, especially at low speeds. The “fix” involves putting in new engine calibration software.
This is the second recall so far this year for Ford of Dearborn, Michigan. 17,600 vehicles were recalled in February for faulty breaking in its hybrid vehicles. This Focus recall is the largest so far for Ford in China.
These Ford Focus vehicles were made by a three-way joint venture comprised of Ford, Chongqing Changan Automobile and the Mazda Motor Corp of Japan. Changan owns 50% of the company. Ford owns a 35% stake, and Mazda the remaining 15% stake. Expect to see more cars produced for the Chinese market including the Ford Fiesta and the Ford Mondeo.
Just last March, the Changan plant produced its 500,000th Ford Focus, which has become a best seller in China with yearly sales rising 55 percent from a year earlier.
The new Ford Focus, a 1.8 liter, four-door sedan, is set to begin production in Europe and North America.
