Ford Motor Co, the second largest US carmaker, said on Wednesday it sold 602,627 vehicles in China last year, up 6.1 percent from 2019.

This marked the carmaker's first annual sales growth in the world's largest car market since 2017, despite the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.

"Ford's sales momentum is a reflection of our continued focus to grow in China and deliver on our 'Best of Ford, Best of China' commitment," said Anning Chen, president and CEO of Ford China, in a statement.

Ford sold 190,916 vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2020 in China, up 30.3 percent from the same period last year. It registered sales growth of 3 percent and 25.4 percent in the second and third quarter, respectively.

The carmaker said the positive results reflect the company's favorable product mix that more strongly aligns with Chinese consumers' preferences for SUVs and premium vehicles.

The company's popular models includes several new vehicles such as Ford Explorer and Escape, as well as Lincoln's Corsair and Aviator.

Lincoln saw a full-year record in 2020 in China. Its fourth-quarter sales reached more than 22,600 units, up 74.9 percent, while full-year sales exceeded 61,700 units, up 32.5 percent.

In China, Ford makes cars through Jiangling Motors Corp Ltd, in which it has a stake, and a joint venture with Chongqing Changan Automobile Co Ltd.

China sold 19.29 million passenger vehicles in 2020, down 6.8 percent from 2019, according to the China Passenger Car Association.