MANILA, Philippines – American automaker Ford recorded its highest monthly sales ever in the Philippines last month as its cars and SUVs enjoyed strong demand from Filipinos.

In a statement Thursday, November 8, Ford said it sold 1,248 units in the Philippines in October, a 50% increase over last year.

The record sales come as Ford, the only auto exporter in the Philippines, prepares to close down its local manufacturing plant. Ford announced in June that it will shut down its assembly plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna in 2013 and will just import completely built units.

The move will affect some 250 jobs and will put the Philippines off the automotive manufacturing network map in Asia. This industry has been a key employment generator and has helped stimulate the economy through the supply chain.

Ford's plant in Laguna assembles one of its popular SUVs, the Escape, which it exports to affiliates in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Once it closes its Laguna plant, Ford will sell the Escape and other models through authorized dealers.

New dealerships

Ford Philippines opened an outlet in Cainta, Rizal – the first of 12 new authorized dealerships it will open in the country over the next 6 months.

The company said its record sales in October got a significant boost from the Ford Ranger product line, whose sales jumped 213% to 282 units.

Also in October, the Ford Everest posted its strongest monthly sales this year, with 311 units sold.

Other Ford SUVs such as the Escape and Explorer, as well as cars such as the Fiesta and Focus also registered higher sales. - Rappler.com