Changan Ford Mazda
Defunct Chinese automotive joint venture that manufactured and sold Ford and Mazda passenger vehicles before being divided into separate Changan Ford and Changan Mazda businesses in 2012.
Last updated October 12, 2026
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Overview
Changan Ford Mazda was a Chinese automotive manufacturing joint venture headquartered in Chongqing. Its principal business was the manufacture and sale of Ford- and Mazda-branded passenger cars in China. The company emerged from the expansion of Changan Automobile and Ford Motor Company's earlier Chinese manufacturing partnership and became a three-party venture after Mazda took an equity stake in the Ford–Changan operation. The venture's industrial roots lay in Changan Ford Automobile Co., Ltd., established in April 2001 as a 50:50 partnership between Ford Motor Company and Changan Automobile. Commercial production began in 2003, initially with Ford Fiesta vehicles assembled from knockdown kits. This approach allowed the partners to begin local production while progressively developing Chinese manufacturing capacity and supplier infrastructure. Output was increased from approximately 20,000 vehicles in the first production year to 50,000 units in 2004 and then to substantially higher capacity as additional models and facilities were introduced. Ford expanded the product range with models such as the Mondeo and the Escape-based Maverick sport-utility vehicle. The Ford Focus was selected for local assembly at the Chongqing operation, strengthening the venture's position in China's growing compact-car market. The partners also established a separate engine manufacturing venture, Changan Ford Mazda Engine, to support local production. Mazda became directly involved in the vehicle joint venture on 4 April 2006, when it acquired a 15% stake in Changan Ford from Ford. The company was consequently renamed Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. During the second half of the 2000s, the company expanded beyond its original Chongqing base. A new assembly plant in Nanjing opened in September 2007 with an initial annual capacity of 160,000 vehicles. The venture also produced Volvo vehicles under an arrangement involving Ford-owned Volvo Cars, beginning with the S40 sedan and later adding the China-specific S80L. Volvo production at the Changan Ford operation continued until the joint venture arrangement ended in late 2015, after Changan Ford Mazda itself had already been reorganized. Capacity expansion continued in the early 2010s. A second Chongqing assembly plant opened in February 2012, following a reported investment of US$490 million and planned annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles. The company also announced plans to invest in Chongqing expansion and to construct a new assembly plant in Hangzhou. These plans reflected the partners' expectation that Chinese demand for locally manufactured passenger vehicles would continue to grow. In late 2012, Chinese regulatory approval was granted for the separation of the combined Ford–Mazda business. In December, the activities of Changan Ford Mazda were divided between two new, independently structured joint ventures. Changan Ford Automobile, a 50:50 partnership between Changan and Ford incorporated in Chongqing, assumed the Ford-related operations. Changan Mazda Automobile, a 50:50 partnership between Changan and Mazda incorporated in Nanjing, assumed the Mazda-related operations. This restructuring ended Changan Ford Mazda as a unified operating company while preserving the manufacturing and distribution activities of both brands in China. The related engine venture underwent a later ownership change. In January 2019, Mazda acquired Ford's stake in Changan Ford Mazda Engine, which was renamed Changan Mazda Engine and became equally owned by Mazda and Changan. This subsequent transaction was separate from the 2012 division of the vehicle business but reflected the continuing reorganization of the partners' industrial relationships. Changan Ford Mazda is therefore best understood as a historical joint-venture entity rather than a current consumer-facing automotive brand.
History
Changan Ford Mazda's development began with the creation of Changan Ford Automobile Co., Ltd. in April 2001. The company was formed as an equal partnership between Changan Automobile and Ford Motor Company to manufacture Ford vehicles for the Chinese market. Production started in 2003, when the operation assembled approximately 20,000 Ford Fiesta vehicles. Early manufacturing relied on knockdown kits, meaning that partially assembled vehicles were imported and completed locally while the partners built up domestic production capabilities. The operation expanded rapidly. Capacity reached 50,000 vehicles in 2004 and later increased further as additional Ford models entered local production. The Ford Mondeo and the Escape-based Maverick sport-utility vehicle joined the range, while the Ford Focus was selected for assembly at the Chongqing plant. These additions gave the joint venture coverage across important passenger-car and SUV segments in China. In April 2005, Ford, Changan Automotive Group, and Mazda announced plans for a separate engine joint venture. Changan Ford Mazda Engine was intended to operate a new plant in Nanjing with an annual production capacity of 350,000 engines. Mazda's involvement in the vehicle business became more direct in April 2006, when it purchased 15% of Changan Ford from Ford. The company then adopted the Changan Ford Mazda name, reflecting its three-party ownership structure. The venture broadened its manufacturing footprint with the opening of a Nanjing assembly plant in September 2007. The facility was built at a reported cost of US$510 million and initially had annual capacity of 160,000 vehicles. Changan Ford also produced Volvo automobiles during this period through an arrangement connected with Ford's ownership of Volvo Cars. Production began with the Volvo S40 sedan in 2006, followed by the China-specific S80L in 2009. The Volvo arrangement ended in late 2015. Further expansion was announced between 2009 and 2012. In September 2009, Changan Ford Mazda announced a planned US$490 million investment in a second Chongqing assembly plant, designed for annual output of 150,000 vehicles. The facility opened in February 2012. In April 2012, the company announced a further Chongqing investment plan that was expected to add 350,000 units of capacity and raise total capacity to 950,000 vehicles. The same month, it announced plans for a Hangzhou assembly plant, with reported investment of US$760 million and initial capacity of 250,000 vehicles. The combined Ford–Mazda structure was short-lived as a final corporate arrangement. In late 2012, Chinese authorities approved the separation of the two brands' activities. In December 2012, the Ford business was transferred to Changan Ford Automobile, a 50:50 Changan–Ford joint venture based in Chongqing. The Mazda business was transferred to Changan Mazda Automobile, a 50:50 Changan–Mazda joint venture based in Nanjing. The separation dissolved Changan Ford Mazda as an operating vehicle company while allowing both brand partnerships to continue independently. The engine relationship was later reorganized as well. In January 2019, Mazda acquired Ford's stake in the engine joint venture. The company was renamed Changan Mazda Engine and became equally owned by Mazda and Changan. Changan Ford Mazda consequently remains a historical entity associated with the formation and expansion of Ford and Mazda vehicle manufacturing in China, rather than an active standalone company.
- 2019
Engine venture ownership is reorganized
[1]Mazda acquires Ford's stake in the engine venture, which is renamed Changan Mazda Engine and becomes a 50:50 Changan–Mazda company.
- 2012
Second Chongqing plant opens
[1]The second Chongqing assembly facility begins operations.
- 2012
Vehicle operations are separated
[1]The combined company is divided into Changan Ford Automobile and Changan Mazda Automobile, ending the unified Changan Ford Mazda vehicle operation.
- 2009
Second Chongqing plant announced
[1]The company announces a planned US$490 million investment in a second Chongqing assembly plant with annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles.
- 2007
Nanjing assembly plant opens
[1]A new Nanjing assembly plant opens with initial annual capacity of 160,000 vehicles.
- 2006
Mazda becomes a direct vehicle-joint-venture shareholder
[1]Mazda acquires 15% of Changan Ford from Ford, leading to the adoption of the Changan Ford Mazda name.
- 2005
Engine joint venture announced
[1]Changan, Ford, and Mazda announce a separate Nanjing engine venture planned to produce up to 350,000 engines annually.
- 2003
Commercial production begins
[1]The operation begins producing Ford Fiesta vehicles in China, initially using knockdown-kit assembly.
- 2001
Changan Ford Automobile is established
[1]Changan Automobile and Ford Motor Company establish a 50:50 vehicle manufacturing joint venture in China, creating the industrial predecessor of Changan Ford Mazda.
Products and positioning
A localized manufacturing and sales platform for Ford and Mazda passenger vehicles in China, with additional Volvo production during part of its operating history.
Passenger car · 2003
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta was the first significant locally assembled vehicle associated with the operation. Production began in 2003, with approximately 20,000 units assembled during the first year. Its introduction marked the transition from a newly established partnership to an active Chinese manufacturing operation.
Passenger car
Ford Mondeo
The Ford Mondeo was added as the joint venture expanded beyond its initial compact-car production. It represented the company's participation in the midsize passenger-car segment and formed part of the Ford-branded range manufactured for the Chinese market.
Passenger car
Ford Focus
The Ford Focus was selected for assembly at the Chongqing facility after an announcement in 2005. Its production supported the venture's presence in China's compact passenger-car market and contributed to the broadening of locally manufactured Ford models.
Sport-utility vehicle
Ford Escape-based Maverick
The Maverick, based on the Ford Escape, was among the early sport-utility vehicles produced by the Ford–Changan operation. It extended the company's product coverage beyond sedans and reflected rising demand for SUV-style vehicles in China.
Passenger car · 2006
Volvo S40
The Volvo S40 was the first Volvo automobile produced through the arrangement involving Volvo and Changan Ford. Production was announced for 2006 and added a premium European marque to the venture's manufacturing activities.
Luxury passenger car · 2009
Volvo S80L
The S80L was a China-specific long-wheelbase version of Volvo's S80 sedan. Production began in February 2009 and demonstrated the venture's role in producing locally adapted premium vehicles before the Volvo–Changan Ford arrangement ended in late 2015.
Automotive powertrain
Automotive engines
The associated Changan Ford Mazda Engine joint venture was established to manufacture engines in Nanjing, with planned annual capacity of 350,000 units. It was later renamed Changan Mazda Engine after Mazda acquired Ford's interest in 2019.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2019
Engine venture ownership changesM&ABackground
The separate engine manufacturing relationship remained linked to the former three-party structure after the 2012 separation.
Action taken
Mazda acquired Ford's interest in Changan Ford Mazda Engine and renamed the company Changan Mazda Engine.
Aftermath
The engine company became equally owned by Changan and Mazda, distinct from the successor vehicle joint ventures.
2012
Ford and Mazda operations are separatedStrategyBackground
The combined structure covered two distinct brand partnerships and had expanded across multiple Chinese manufacturing sites.
Action taken
The vehicle activities were reorganized into Changan Ford Automobile, owned equally by Changan and Ford, and Changan Mazda Automobile, owned equally by Changan and Mazda.
Aftermath
Changan Ford Mazda ceased to operate as a unified vehicle joint venture, while the Ford and Mazda businesses continued through separate successor companies.
2006
Mazda acquires a minority stake in Changan FordM&ABackground
Ford and Changan had operated the vehicle joint venture on an equal basis since 2001. Mazda's entry created a three-party structure for Ford and Mazda vehicle manufacturing in China.
Action taken
Mazda purchased 15% of Changan Ford from Ford, and the company adopted the Changan Ford Mazda name.
Aftermath
The renamed company continued expanding Ford and Mazda-related manufacturing and sales activities in China.
Recent events
- 2019
Mazda acquires Ford's stake in the engine joint venture[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Mazda acquired Ford's interest in Changan Ford Mazda Engine, which was renamed Changan Mazda Engine and became equally owned by Mazda and Changan.
- 2012
Second Chongqing assembly plant begins operations[1]
Other
A second Chongqing assembly facility opened after an announced investment of US$490 million and planned annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles.
- 2012
Changan Ford Mazda is divided into separate Ford and Mazda joint ventures[1]
M&A
The company's Ford and Mazda operations were separated into Changan Ford Automobile and Changan Mazda Automobile, ending the combined vehicle joint venture.
- 2007
Changan Ford Mazda opens Nanjing assembly plant[1]
Other
The joint venture opened a new Nanjing vehicle assembly plant with an initial annual production capacity of 160,000 vehicles.
- 2006
Mazda takes a stake in Changan Ford[1]
M&A · Other
Mazda acquired a 15% interest in Changan Ford from Ford Motor Company, and the venture was renamed Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd.
Sources2 sources
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