Ford is mulling the introduction of electric cars and launching the luxury Lincoln brand in China, says CEO Alan Mulally.

“As we move to more electrification, you’re going to see more hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all-electric” cars, Mulally said in a Bloomberg Television interview in Chongqing. 

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Mulally was in China for the ground-breaking of an engine transmission plant at Ford’s joint venture with Changan Automobile Group. Both Daimler and GM have already announced EV plans for China which aims to have 1m EVs on the road by 2015 as it bids to reduce emissions.

A roll-out of electric vehicles depends largely on infrastructure and advances in battery technology, Mulally said. Ford will also consider introducing its Lincoln luxury brand in China to tap the growing high-end market, he added.

“We have a luxury brand in Lincoln, which we have recommitted ourselves to,” Mulally said. “There’s going to be tremendous pull from China to have access to these vehicles.”

Ford is spending US$1.6bn to build four factories in China, where it plans to triple its line-up by offering 15 models by mid-decade. Ford’s share of China’s passenger car market is 2.7%; GM has a 10% share.

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China’s demand for luxury cars is forecast to grow by around 35% this year, analysts at J.D. Power forecast. This compares with a 5% increase for overall auto sales predicted by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Ford also expects the market to grow at about 5%, Joe Hinrichs, group vice president and Asia chief, told reporters in Beijing.