Asia Pacific Policy

In Ford’s Asia Pacific and Africa region, sales in China are growing rapidly. Economic growth is a key priority of the Chinese government, to be balanced with energy security and a cleaner environment.

The China Automotive Technology and Research Center released for comment a draft national standard on Stage III fuel economy limits for passenger cars, with phase-in of implementation targeted for the 2012 model year. During the phase-in period, the ratio of the Corporate Average Fuel Consumption to the Target Corporate Average Fuel Consumption of all automakers must decline from 109 percent in 2012 to 100 percent in 2015.

The Chinese government provides limited incentives for the purchase of “new energy vehicles” (including plug-in electric vehicles) made by Chinese manufacturers for fleets under local government control. The program applies to vehicles in 13 cities initially, with plans to expand to others up to 2012. Diesel use is discouraged in passenger car applications in the near term, due to fuel availability concerns.

Japan, South Korea and Taiwan have released new or modified fuel economy limits, while Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan have linked tax incentives to fuel economy and carbon dioxide targets.

Ford is actively involved in dialogues with governments across Asia Pacific and Africa in a number of areas, including sustainable mobility, energy security and environmental protection.