Detroit- Ford Motor CompanyChief Executive Jim Farley said late Thursday that the company’s operations in China earned about $600 million last year despite challenging market conditions.

“I’m happy to say Ford is making money in China, and I’m very proud of that because not many (automakers) can say that,” Farley said after showing off a vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show.

Farley said the revenues include exports of vehicles such as the Lincoln Nautilus, which is produced exclusively in China and sold to other markets such as the United States.

China has been an increasingly challenging market for automakers, especially traditional Western companies such as Ford and General Motors.

Ford doesn’t report earnings by region, but Farley has previously touted the company’s growing “asset-light” strategy in China.