Ford today outlined the next phase of its China expansion strategy, focused on SUVs, electric and connected vehicles, a streamlined business structure and closer connections to Chinese customers. 福特今日发布下一阶段的中国2025增长计划，聚焦SUV车型、电动车型和智能互联车型，打造更为精简的业务结构，与中国消费者建立更为紧密的联系。 Photo shows (left to right): Jason Luo, Chairman and CEO, Ford China, Jim Hackett, CEO, Ford Motor Company, Bill Ford, Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Company, Peter Fleet, Group Vice President and President, Ford Asia Pacific. 图中人物（从左至右）：福特中国董事会主席兼首席执行官罗冠宏先生, 福特汽车公司总裁兼首席执行官韩恺特先生，福特汽车公司执行董事长比尔·福特先生，集团副总裁兼亚太区总裁傅礼德先生

Ford has partnered up with e-retail giant Alibaba to explore opportunities in pre-sales, test drives and financial solutions in China.

Ford will collaborate with four of Alibaba’s divisions on areas including connectivity, digital marketing and retail.

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One of the units involved is Alibaba’s B2C platform Tmall, which since August has been experimenting with direct online car hire purchase.

Tmall’s system involves a customer browsing available cars on their phone and then having it delivered to the ground floor of a “vending machine”-like parking lot where the cars are stored.

Underwriting for the HP contracts relies on Sesame, Alibaba’s credit score assessment system. Additionally, monthly instalments need to be processed through payment platform Alipay.

In light of this, Ford could rely on Alibaba’s existing financing infrastructure for the sales process, rather than on Ford Automotive Finance China, though the carmaker is not commenting on the specifics at this point.

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Jim Hackett, Ford president and chief executive officer, said: “China is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic digital markets, thriving on innovation with customers’ online and offline experiences converging rapidly. Collaborating with leading technology players builds on our vision for smart vehicles in a smart world to reimagine and revolutionize consumers’ mobility experiences.’’

Alibaba chief executive officer Daniel Zhang added: “Alibaba is excited to redefine the consumer journey and user experience for automobiles together with Ford Motors. Our data-driven technology and platform will expand the definition of car ownership beyond just having a mode of transportation and into a new medium for smart lifestyle.”

In 2016, Ford sold 1.27m vehicles in China, up 16% from the previous year.