Ford Motor Company has started 2016 with record-breaking sales in China, with 130,832 vehicles sold in January, up 36 percent compared to January 2015. Record sales of the Escort, the new Mondeo, and its sport utility vehicle (SUV) lineup helped boost January sales.

“We are honored that customers are responding so positively to our vehicles,” said John Lawler, chairman and CEO of Ford Motor China. “The combination of great performance and great value is clearly bringing more people into Ford showrooms.”

Changan Ford Automobile (CAF), Ford's passenger car joint venture, also broke sales records, with 111,856 vehicles sold, up 58 percent compared to January 2015.

The Escort helped drive January’s strong performance, with a record 28,980 vehicles sold, a six-fold increase compared to January 2015. The new Mondeo was another record breaker, with more than 15,000 vehicles sold, up 33 percent compared to January 2015.

January was also a record-breaking month for Ford SUVs. Monthly sales of the EcoSport, Kuga, Edge, Explorer and Everest totaled 37,411 vehicles, up 75 percent compared to January 2015.

Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China, sold 17,255 vehicles in January, down 24 percent compared to January 2015 reflecting continued weakness in the overall commercial vehicle industry.