Ford Motor Company sports car maker Aston Martin in 1989, later selling it on March 12, 2007, although retaining an 8% stake. Ford purchased Volvo Cars of Sweden in 1999, selling it to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in 2010. In November 2008, it reduced its 33.4% controlling interest in Mazda of Japan to a 13.4% non-controlling interest. On November 18, 2010, Ford reduced their stake further to just 3%, citing the reduction of ownership would allow greater flexibility to pursue growth in emerging markets. Ford and Mazda remain strategic partners through exchanges of technological information and joint ventures, including an American joint venture
Volkswagen Group China launched and the Chinese name was announced. Octavia, the first Shanghai Volkswagen Škoda model, hit the market on 6 June 2007. Following Octavia's success, Shanghai Volkswagen launched Fabia in 2008 and Superb in 2009. Established in February 1991, FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company (FAW-VW) is a large-scale carmaker jointly funded by China FAW Group subsidiary First Automobile Works, Volkswagen AG, Audi AG and Volkswagen (China) Investment Co., Ltd. It was the first modern car industrial base constructed with an economy of scale in China. With its development over the years, FAW-Volkswagen is producing thousands of vehicles on a daily basis. FAW-Volkswagen manufactures