• Ford leads car market with over 22,100 January registrations – up on same month last year.
• Continuing scrappage incentives and Ford VAT discount offer increase Fiesta and Focus sales.
• Ford takes 15.7 per cent of January vehicle purchases.

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 5 February 2009 – Ford grew its January car sales figures by almost 1,200 units according to industry figures released today.

Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus continued as the first and second best sellers respectively in the UK market.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders confirms pole position for Ford after the first month of 2010 trading. The Blue Oval's 22,128 car sales in January were over five per cent up on 12 months ago. Ford's total was 6,122 cars ahead of its nearest rival.

Adding commercial vehicle results brings total Ford January registrations to 24,907 – more than the same month last year and accounting for 15.7 per cent of cars and commercial vehicles sold.

The Government's scrappage incentive scheme has triggered an extra 38,500 orders for Ford vehicles since it launched in mid-2009. Official figures show most car and commercial vehicle scrappage customers were buying Fords.

Nigel Sharp, Ford Britain managing director, said: "This will be another year of challenges but Ford and its dealers have the vehicles and expertise to maintain our strong sales momentum. We have further enhanced Ford's offer by paying this year's VAT rise and look forward to new Ford S-MAX and Galaxy models on sale this spring."