Taipei, Nov. 25 (CNA) Ford Lio Ho Motor Co. Ltd., a Taiwansubsidiary of the U.S.-based Ford Motor, said Thursday it will rollout its 2 millionth car in the local market next week after 38 yearson the island.

Ford Motor Group Vice President and President for Asia Pacificand Africa Joe Hinrichs, Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiangand Director General of the Industrial Development Bureau DuhTyzz-jiun will attend the ceremony to unveil the new car.

Ford Lio Ho, a 70 percent-owned subsidiary of the U.S. car maker,is a joint venture with the Lio Ho Group. It was set up in 1972, andhas become one of Ford Motor's important overseas production bases,according to the local company.

The company said the year of 2010 has a special meaning for FordMotor as the number of the cars it produces in Taiwan will reach the2 million mark, symbolizing the tremendous sales that the automakerhas generated in Taiwan.

In the first 10 months of this year, sales posted by Ford Lio Ho,which owns the Ford and Mazda brands in Taiwan, rose 29 percent froma year earlier, while sales of the Ford brand alone grew 20.1 percentyear-on-year.

In October, Ford Lio Ho accounted for 11 percent of the Taiwanauto market, compared with 11.1 percent recorded a year earlier.

The Taiwanese unit said its 2 millionth car is a brand-new Mondeopassenger model equipped with Ford Motor's energy efficient EcoBoostengine, which is being introduced in the Taiwan market for the firsttime.

According to the company, the EcoBoost engine technology, whichFord Motor unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in2008, delivers up to 20 percent better fuel economy and cuts carbondioxide emissions by 15 percent.

Ford Lio Ho said more than 80 percent of its cars will beequipped with EcoBoost engines by 2013.

(By Chao Hsiao-hui and Frances Huang)
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