Ford Lio Ho Motor

Ford Lio Ho Motor is the Taiwanese automotive company responsible for Ford vehicle production, distribution, sales, and after-sales support in Taiwan. It was formed in 1972 through a partnership between Ford Motor Company and interests associated with Taiwan's Lio Ho Automotive Industrial Corporation. Ford owns 70 percent of the company, while the remaining 30 percent is held by investors from the former Lio Ho automotive business. The company is based in Taoyuan and operates as both a local vehicle manufacturer and the principal Ford dealer in the Taiwanese market. Operations began in 1973 with local assembly of Ford models including the Cortina, Escort, and Granada. In 1974, the company added assembly of the Philippine-produced Ford Fiera utility vehicle, although that model faced weak demand because its price was relatively high compared with more comfortable Japanese alternatives. During the 1980s, Ford Lio Ho expanded into Mazda-derived products, reflecting the close Ford–Mazda relationship of that period. Locally assembled or marketed vehicles included the Laser, based on the Mazda 323; the Telstar, related to the Mazda 626; and the Festiva, derived from the Mazda 121. The company subsequently developed a number of vehicles and derivatives for Taiwan and wider Asia-Pacific markets. Taiwan-specific or regionally distinctive products included the Ford Tierra, based on the Mazda 323 sedan; the Ford Activa, a rebadged Mazda 323 sedan and hatchback; and the Ford Mondeo Metrostar, derived from the European Mondeo and later sold in China. The Taiwan-built Laser hatchback was also exported to Canada and sold there under the Mercury Tracer name. Other locally assembled or regionally supplied Ford and Mazda vehicles included the Mondeo, Focus, Fiesta, Escape, Mazda3, Mazda5, and Mazda Tribute. Ford Lio Ho also assembled Asia-Pacific Ford Escape vehicles for the 2007 model year, excluding the Chinese and South Korean markets. Taiwan-assembled Mondeo vehicles were exported to China and Saudi Arabia. The company played a notable role in the development of diesel passenger vehicles in Taiwan. After Taiwan lifted its prohibition on diesel-powered passenger cars in 2004, Ford Lio Ho became the first local manufacturer to build a diesel passenger car. The diesel Ford Focus entered the market in August 2007, extending the company's manufacturing role beyond conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. Ford Lio Ho also maintained a regional product-development capability. Its Design Technology Centre, also referred to as the Ford Design and Research Centre, was established in Taipei by the end of 2002. The centre worked on products intended for Asia-Pacific and nearby markets, including Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, the Middle East, Japan, China, and Russia. Associated design and development work included the Ford Equator concept, regional Ford Escape work, the Tierra, Ixion, Mondeo facelift programs, the Mondeo Metrostar, the Escape ZC facelift, the Explorer, and the i-Max. The centre was later closed as Ford moved toward its global One Ford product strategy. Before Ford divested Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008 and reduced its Mazda shareholding in 2010, the Taiwanese operations of those brands were organized under Ford Lio Ho. Today, the company remains focused on the Ford brand in Taiwan, combining vehicle manufacturing and market distribution with dealer, maintenance, parts, and customer-support functions. Its historical significance lies in linking Ford's global vehicle programs with Taiwan-based assembly, regional engineering, and market-specific product adaptation.

Ford Lio Ho Motor was established in Taiwan in 1972 as a joint venture involving Ford Motor Company and interests connected with Lio Ho Automotive Industrial Corporation. Lio Ho had previously been associated with Toyota vehicle assembly, while the new company was created to develop Ford's manufacturing and commercial presence in Taiwan. Ford holds a 70 percent interest, with the balance held by investors connected to the former Lio Ho automotive enterprise. The company began assembling Ford vehicles in 1973. Its early product range included the Cortina, Escort, and Granada, giving Ford a local manufacturing base in Taiwan. In 1974, Ford Lio Ho added the Philippine-built Fiera AUV to its assembly activities. The Fiera was not a strong commercial success because its price compared unfavorably with more comfortable Japanese competitors. During the 1980s, Ford Lio Ho's activities reflected the broader Ford–Mazda industrial relationship. The company assembled and marketed Mazda-based Ford models such as the Laser, Telstar, and Festiva. These vehicles enabled Ford to offer products suited to Asian markets while using platforms and engineering associated with Mazda. The Taiwan-built Laser hatchback was exported to Canada in the late 1980s and sold as the Mercury Tracer, demonstrating the company's capacity to contribute vehicles to markets outside Taiwan. Ford Lio Ho later produced or supported several products designed specifically for Taiwan or for regional markets. The Ford Tierra was based on the Mazda 323 sedan, while the Ford Activa used Mazda 323 sedan and hatchback designs under Ford branding. The Ford Mondeo Metrostar was derived from the European Mondeo and eventually reached the Chinese market as well. The company's Taiwan-market portfolio also included Ford and Mazda models such as the Mondeo, Focus, Fiesta, Escape, Mazda3, Mazda5, and Mazda Tribute. It assembled Ford Escape vehicles for much of the Asia-Pacific region for the 2007 model year, with China and South Korea excluded from that arrangement. Taiwan-assembled Mondeo vehicles were exported to China and Saudi Arabia. A significant technical milestone came after Taiwan ended its ban on diesel-powered passenger cars in 2004. Ford Lio Ho became the first local manufacturer to build a diesel passenger vehicle, introducing a diesel Focus in August 2007. This positioned the company as an early participant in Taiwan's newly opened diesel passenger-car market. The company also developed regional design and engineering capabilities. A Ford Design and Research Centre, commonly called the Design Technology Centre, was established in Taipei by the end of 2002. It supported vehicles and concepts intended for Asia-Pacific, Middle Eastern, and other markets. Work associated with the centre included the Ford Equator concept, Ford Escape programs, the Tierra, Ixion, Mondeo facelift work, Mondeo Metrostar, Escape ZC development, Explorer-related work, and the i-Max. The centre was eventually closed as Ford adopted the One Ford strategy and consolidated product development around more globally shared vehicle programs. Ford Lio Ho's corporate scope was previously broader than the Ford brand alone. Before Ford sold Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008 and substantially reduced its Mazda shareholding in 2010, Taiwanese operations for those marques were organized under Ford Lio Ho. The company now serves primarily as Ford's Taiwanese manufacturing, distribution, sales, and service organization. Its history combines local assembly, cross-border exports, Mazda-derived product programs, regional design work, and the adaptation of Ford's international portfolio to Taiwan's market.

• 2010

  Ford reduced Mazda shareholding

  [1]Ford Lio Ho Motoren.wikipedia.org

  Ford significantly reduced its shareholding in Mazda, ending an important phase of the corporate relationship that had shaped several Ford Lio Ho products.

• 2008

  Jaguar and Land Rover separated from Ford

  [1]Ford Lio Ho Motoren.wikipedia.org

  Ford divested Jaguar and Land Rover; before the divestiture, the Taiwanese operations of those brands had been organized under Ford Lio Ho.

• 2007

  Diesel Focus introduced

  [1]Ford Lio Ho Motoren.wikipedia.org

  Ford Lio Ho introduced a diesel Ford Focus in August, becoming the first local manufacturer in Taiwan to build a diesel passenger car.

• 2004

  Diesel passenger-car market reopened

  [1]Ford Lio Ho Motoren.wikipedia.org

  Taiwan lifted its prohibition on diesel-powered passenger cars, creating the market conditions for Ford Lio Ho's subsequent diesel Focus program.

• 2002

  Taipei design centre established

  [1]Ford Lio Ho Motoren.wikipedia.org

  Ford's Design Technology Centre, also known as the Ford Design and Research Centre, was established in Taipei by the end of the year.

• 1974

  Fiera assembly added

  [1]Ford Lio Ho Motoren.wikipedia.org

  Assembly of the Philippine-made Ford Fiera AUV began in Taiwan, although the vehicle experienced slow sales.

• 1973

  Ford assembly begins

  [1]Ford Lio Ho Motoren.wikipedia.org

  The company began assembling Ford models including the Cortina, Escort, and Granada.

• 1972

  Company formed

  [1]Ford Lio Ho Motoren.wikipedia.org

  Ford Lio Ho Motor was established in Taiwan as a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and interests associated with Lio Ho Automotive Industrial Corporation.

Mass-market Ford automotive manufacturer, distributor, and service organization for Taiwan, with a historical role in regional assembly and Asia-Pacific product development.

• Passenger car

  Ford Cortina

  One of the early Ford models assembled by Ford Lio Ho after operations began in Taiwan. The Cortina helped establish the company's initial local manufacturing portfolio alongside the Escort and Granada.

• Passenger car

  Ford Escort

  An early locally assembled Ford passenger car in Taiwan. It formed part of the company's first production group when Ford Lio Ho began operations in 1973.

• Utility vehicle · 1974

  Ford Fiera

  A Philippine-produced Ford AUV whose assembly in Taiwan began in 1974. The model had limited commercial success because its price was considered high relative to more comfortable Japanese competitors.

• Passenger car

  Ford Laser

  A Mazda 323-based Ford model assembled and marketed by Ford Lio Ho during the Ford–Mazda relationship. A Taiwan-built hatchback was exported to Canada and sold under the Mercury Tracer name.

• Passenger car

  Ford Telstar

  A Mazda 626-related Ford model assembled in Taiwan during the 1980s as Ford Lio Ho expanded its Mazda-derived product programs.

• Small passenger car

  Ford Festiva

  A Mazda 121-derived Ford model associated with Ford Lio Ho's 1980s assembly and marketing activities.

• Passenger car

  Ford Tierra

  A Taiwan-specific Ford model based on the Mazda 323 sedan. The Tierra was one of Ford Lio Ho's distinctive locally adapted products and was also associated with the company's regional design work.

• Passenger car

  Ford Activa

  A Ford-branded sedan and hatchback derived from the Mazda 323. It was developed for the Taiwan market as part of Ford Lio Ho's locally tailored product range.

• Midsize passenger car

  Ford Mondeo Metrostar

  A regional derivative of the European Ford Mondeo. The Metrostar was associated with Ford Lio Ho's Taiwan production and later reached the Chinese market.

• Compact passenger car

  Ford Focus

  A major Ford passenger-car line assembled and sold in Taiwan. Ford Lio Ho introduced a diesel Focus in August 2007 after Taiwan reopened its passenger-car diesel market, making it the first locally built diesel passenger car in Taiwan.

• Sport utility vehicle

  Ford Kuga

  A Ford sport utility vehicle offered by Ford Lio Ho in Taiwan. It represents the company's modern SUV-oriented product portfolio and is identified as one of its flagship offerings.

• Sport utility vehicle

  Ford Escape

  A Ford SUV assembled or supported by Ford Lio Ho for Taiwan and wider Asia-Pacific markets. The company handled Asia-Pacific Escape production for the 2007 model year, excluding the Chinese and South Korean markets, and contributed to regional Escape design and facelift programs.

• Midsize passenger car

  Ford Mondeo

  A midsize Ford passenger car assembled and marketed in Taiwan. Taiwan-built Mondeo vehicles were exported to China and Saudi Arabia, giving the program a regional role beyond the domestic market.

• Small passenger car

  Ford Fiesta

  A Ford small-car line included among the vehicles assembled or marketed through Ford Lio Ho's Taiwan operations.

• Concept vehicle · 2005

  Ford Equator Concept

  A 2005 Ford concept associated with the Taipei Design Technology Centre. The concept illustrated Ford Lio Ho's contribution to Asia-Pacific-oriented vehicle design and product development.

• Multi-purpose vehicle

  Ford i-Max

  One of the later products associated with Ford Lio Ho's Taipei design centre. It exemplified the centre's role in creating or adapting products for Asian and Pacific markets before its closure under Ford's One Ford strategy.

• Closure of the Taipei Design Technology CentreStrategy

  Background

  Ford's Taipei-based design centre had supported products developed for Asia-Pacific and nearby markets, including regionally adapted Ford vehicles and concepts.

  Action taken

  The centre was shut down as Ford moved toward the One Ford strategy and greater reliance on globally shared product programs.

  Aftermath

  The closure ended Ford Lio Ho's dedicated regional design-centre role, although the company continued its manufacturing, distribution, sales, and service activities in Taiwan.

  Source

1. 1Ford Lio Ho Motoren.wikipedia.org
2. 2Ford Taiwan official websiteford.com.tw