As Chinese demand for cars loses steam, more automakers post falling monthly sales. Ford says on Tuesday that it sold 34,916 vehicles in China last month, 7% less than a year ago. Yet for the first eight months of this year, sales gained 11% on year to 341,746, outpacing the overall market.

"Growth of Chinese auto sales has been slowing down in recent months. But we continue to see strong interest in our vehicles, as consumers are attracted by their advanced technology, high fuel efficiency and quality," says He, Junjie, Vice President of Ford China in marketing.

In the first eight months, the passenger car joint venture Changan-Ford-Mazda delivered 205,855 Ford-brand vehicles, up 7% from a year ago, including 125,209 units of Focus (up 16%) and 36,534 units of Mondeo (up 10%). Sales of the commercial vehicle joint venture of JMC (Jiangling Motor), which makes Ford Transit vans, rise 14% on year to 133,810.

To increase local capacity and sales, Ford and its Chinese partners are building or plan to build two new vehicle assembly lines (in Chongqing and Nanchang), a new engine plant and a transmission plant (both in Chongqing).