BRENTWOOD, Essex, 4 December, 2008 – Ford's share of new car sales rose by over five percentage points in November – the second significant increase in the blue oval's slice of the market in consecutive months.
Demand for Ford's exciting car range, led by latest newcomer the Ford Fiesta, sealed a 18.5 per cent share of November's registrations. This was 5.2 percentage points higher than November last year and follows an October 2008 performance over three percentage points up on a year ago.
Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show how the acclaimed Ford Mondeo, as well as new Fiesta, grew November sales in a lower overall market. Ford Fiesta was the UK's top-selling car last month, with Focus placed second and Mondeo fourth.
Ford car deliveries to private (non-fleet) buyers jumped by 5.5 percentage points last month – proof of the blue oval's growing appeal among retail customers. The stylish new Ford Fiesta, on sale since October, attracted 1,000 more retail buyers last month than bought the prior model in November 2007.
Ford commercial vehicles are similarly enjoying retail success among sole traders and owner/operators, who purchase their own vehicles and are not part of fleet deals. Light Ford CVs such as Fiesta Van and short-wheelbase Transit Connect saw their November retail registrations leap by 11.3 percentage points.
Roelant de Waard, Ford Britain chairman and managing director, said: "The best Ford range ever is cushioning us against the worst of the market downturn. We're seeing how unprecedented market conditions are not applying to all players equally. The deck of cards is being reshuffled in favour of Ford's combination of head-turning exterior styling, high-spec interiors plus low fuel consumption and CO2 output."
The arrival of new Ford Fiesta and Ka, on sale next month, brings the total number of Ford models emitting under 120g CO2/km to over 50. Sales of these cars are up by half so far this year.
Total Ford sales year-to-date stand at 384,230 cars and CVs accounting for 16.3 per cent of the market – half a point higher than the same time last year.
