Executives from Ford and its joint venture Changan Ford pose besides the all-new Ford Taurus on Saturday. Photo: Courtesy of Changan Ford

Carmaker Changan Ford presented three new models on Saturday ahead of the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show. With a more complete product line, the company is expected to see greater growth in China this year.

The first new model, the All New Ford Edge, with a MSRP between 249,800 yuan ($40,300) and 429,800 yuan, is the first medium SUV model produced by the automaker, a joint venture between Ford and Chinese carmaker Changan Automobile. The SUV, designed for both family and business use, comes in seven models with five-seat and seven-seat options.

The commercial sale of the All New Ford Edge will expand Changan Ford's coverage to the medium SUV market. The company's Ford Kuga and Ford EcoSport SUV models are already popular offerings in the smaller SUV segment.

Zhang Yu, managing director at consultancy Automotive Foresight (Shanghai) Co, said that the All New Ford Edge is expected to be well received because the vehicle's design suits Chinese customers' taste and currently the market offers limited choices of seven-seat SUVs.

The second new model released on Saturday was Changan Ford's new flagship model, the all-new Ford Taurus, targeting China's business elite. "The new Ford Taurus is another example of the best Ford has to offer globally, designed and developed with the Chinese market in mind," said Marin Burela, president and CEO, Changan Ford Automobile Co. "More than just a premium business sedan, it's an elegant statement of what is possible under the One Ford plan."

Last but not least, Changan Ford has also brought another new model of sedans to the Shanghai fair. The All New Ford Focus, a refinement of the company's best-selling model, also made its debut on Saturday.

Many analysts in the auto industry predicted that the upgraded Ford Focus will further boost the model's immense popularity among Chinese consumers. Last year, domestic sales of the Ford Focus reached 391,800 units, topping all sedan models in the country for the third consecutive years. This month, Changan Ford was honored to deliver its 2 millionth Focus to the valued and excited customer.

As China's auto market surged in the last few years, Changan Ford has also intensified its efforts to capitalize on the growth by bringing new cars that excite Chinese customers. During the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show, Marin Burela, president and CEO of Changan Ford, shared the "1515 strategy" of Ford China and planned to roll out 15 new models in China by the end of 2015. This year, the company adheres to that plan by successfully bringing seven new models to China.

Changan Ford witnessed unparalleled growth after Burela took office as president at the end of 2010. Last year's total sales was an 18-percent jump from a year ago. With exciting new offerings and expanded capacity, Changan Ford's market share in China will strongly grow under the Ford brand spirit "Go Further."

Changan Ford has now an engine plant, a transmission plant and 4 assembly plants in China, with Chongqing as the largest Ford manufacturing base outside its home state Detroit. The company's state-the-art assembly plant, located in Hangzhou, East  China's Zhejiang Province, began operation last month, a testimony of the company's commitment to China.