China is an emerging market for automakers, with each trying to establish their market share in the rapidly-developing nation. American company Ford got some good news, as their sales in the first half of the year in China broke their previous record.

According to the Associated Press, Ford sold 301,524 vehicles in China during the first six months, up 53 percent from the same time in 2009. In China, Ford sells its companies through two sources: the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile company, a joint venture with Mazda, and Jiangling Motors, a Chinese automaker that provides Ford with an additional dealer network for the Ford Transit van.

Jiangling sold 88,363 Fords, while Changan Ford Mazda sold 205,563. Both were records for the respective companies, as well as a record for Ford overall.

Ford still lags behind GM in China, although it is slowly gaining market share. GM sold 1.2 million cars in China during the same period, actually outpacing its American sales for the first time.

Automakers are still trying to figure out Chinese preferences in automobiles. It appears that compact and performance-oriented vehicles are popular, and Ford’s new Fiesta subcompact led the way. Ford will also debut a compact Focus in the Chinese market later this year.