Ford Lio Ho Motor

Ford Lio Ho Motor (Chinese: 福特六和汽車) is a Taiwanese-based automaker and the primary dealer of Ford vehicles in Taiwan, formed in 1972. It is 70 percent owned by Ford Motor Company.[1] The remaining 30 per cent is owned by investors in the former Lio Ho Automotive Industrial Corporation, which previously assembled Toyota vehicles.[2]

Ford Lio Ho Motor Company, Ltd.
TypeJoint venture
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1972 (1972)
Headquarters
Zhongli District, Taoyuan City
,
Taiwan
ProductsAutomobiles
OwnerFord Motor Company (70%)
Liou-ho Spinning (30%)
Websiteford.com.tw

History

The company began operations in 1973, assembling Ford models like the Cortina, Escort, and Granada.[3] In 1974 assembly of the Philippine-made Ford Fiera AUV began, although sales were slow as it was more expensive than its more comfortable Japanese competitors.[4] In the 1980s, it began assembly of Mazda-based models, such as the Laser (Mazda 323), Telstar (Mazda 626) and Festiva (Mazda 121).[5]

1990s Taiwan Ford Laser Nobel

The Taiwan-built Laser hatchback was exported to Canada in the late 1980s, badged as the Mercury Tracer.[6]

Former Ford models unique to Taiwan include the "Ford Tierra", based on the Mazda 323 sedan, later rebadged as the facelifted Ford Laser in other Asian markets, the "Ford Activa", a rebadged Mazda 323 sedan and hatchback, and the "Ford Mondeo Metrostar" which later also sold in China, based on the European Mondeo sedan.[7]

Taiwan-market Ford and Mazda vehicles include locally assembled Ford Mondeo, Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, Ford Escape, Mazda3, Mazda5, and Mazda Tribute. Also, all 2007 model year Asia/Pacific (except Chinese and South Korean markets) Ford Escapes are assembled by Ford Lio Ho. The Taiwan-assembled Mondeo is also exported to China and Saudi Arabia. After the ban on diesel-engined passenger cars was lifted in Taiwan in 2004, Ford Lio Ho became the first local manufacturer to build a diesel car. This was a diesel Focus, introduced in August 2007.[8]

Before Ford divested Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008, and significantly reduced share-holding of Mazda in 2010, the Taiwanese units of these brands were organised under Ford Lio Ho.

Design Technology Centre
Ford Lio Ho Motor
Chinese福特六和汽車

Ford Lio Ho Design Technology Centre or Ford Design & Research Centre was built and established by the end of 2002 in Taipei. The Design Technology Centre was in charge of products sold mainly within the Asian Pacific markets including Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, and Russia.[9]

Noticeable products include the 2005 Ford Equator Concept which later spawned the Asian Pacific Ford Escape (ZC),[10] Ford Tierra, Ford Ixion, Ford Mondeo M2000 facelift, Ford Mondeo Metrostar, Ford Escape ZC extensive facelift, Ford Explorer and Ford i-Max. With the i-Max being one of the latest products designed by Lio Ho, the Design Technology Centre was shut down due to the one Ford strategy.

  • Ford Tierra Aero
    Ford Tierra Aero
  • Ford Mondeo Metrostar V6
    Ford Mondeo Metrostar V6
  • Ford Escape (ZC)
    Ford Escape (ZC)
  • Ford Ixion
    Ford Ixion
  • Ford Escape (ZD)
    Ford Escape (ZD)
  • Ford I-Max
    Ford I-Max

See also

References
  1. "Ford Lio Ho rolls out 2 millionth car". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. 20 November 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  2. Multinational corporations and United States foreign policy: Hearings, 93rd Congress [94th Congress, second session], Part 3, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1973, page 180
  3. Directory of Taiwan, 1980
  4. "福特 六和 利大 報紙廣告兩則" [Two Ford Lio Ho Fierra newspaper advertisements]. 7car (in Chinese). 2009-02-25. Archived from the original on 2017-04-29.
  5. Japanese Motor Business. Economist Intelligence Unit. 1994. p. 56. Ford's Taiwanese affiliate, Ford Lio Ho, has been involved in the alliance. Ford Lio Ho makes the Ford Festiva (based on the previous generation Mazda 121), the Ford Laser and the Ford Telstar, as well as commercial vehicles based on the Mazda Bongo.
  6. Trade Opportunities in Taiwan, Volume 15, Issues 1-26, Far East Trade Services, Incorporated, 1987, page 19
  7. Chamberlin, Billy (2001-08-10). "Ford's Mondeo Metrostar takes lead". The China Post.
  8. "Ford Lio Ho Motor, Yulon Motor, China Motor in Taiwan planning to expand exports of complete vehicles". Automotive Information Platform. MarkLines (625). 2007-11-23. Archived from the original on 2012-03-15. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  9. Ford Lio Ho Design Technology Centre Planned, 邵長玲 Shao Changling, Auto Net 9 February 2001
  10. 2005 Ford Equator Concept, "Net car Show"
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