FORD OF EUROPE RECORDS HIGHEST JULY AND YEAR-TO-DATE MARKET SHARE IN A DECADE

 
  • Ford of Europe achieved its highest July and year-to-date market share since 1999: Euro 19 share up for seventh consecutive month, by 0.6 percentage points to 9.0 per cent; year-to-date share up 0.5 by percentage points to 9.1 per cent
  • For the second month in a row, and in contrast to industry, Ford's 2009 new vehicle sales volume increased versus 2008; brand now firmly established as Europe’s no. 2 best-seller
  • New Fiesta remained Ford of Europe's best-selling car in July, achieving best month since 1996, and, for the first time since launch, leading its segment in Germany
  • July sales up 45 per cent in Germany; monthly share at 8.2 per cent, the highest since June 2004
  • Ford was market leader in the UK, Ireland and Hungary in July and year-to-date; 7.8 percentage points share gains in Hungary in July, highest since 1994
  • Market share was up in 13 of Ford's main 19 European markets in July, and up in 17 of the main 19 European markets year-to-date 2009
  • Ford sales in Europe add to the company's global sales momentum following gains in the US, Canada and China

COLOGNE, August 12, 2009 – Ford of Europe set a new sales record in this century in July. The No.2 best-selling new vehicle brand in Europe increased its market share for the seventh consecutive month, by 0.6 percentage points to 9.0 per cent, resulting in the company's highest share in a July and July year-to-date since 1999.

For the second month in a row in 2009, Ford increased its sales volume compared to the same month a year ago. In total, Ford sold 125,200 new vehicles in its 19 main European markets in July, up by 6,000 units or 5.0 per cent. This sales success was driven by strong customer demand for the latest Ford products across the line-up, including the Fiesta, new Ka, and best-selling Focus. Ford's 5.0 per cent volume increase contrasts to a 1.5 per cent industry decline in the same month.

The news from Ford of Europe complements positive sales performance achieved in other key Ford markets around the world in July, including China, the US and Canada. In Canada the company maintained market leadership for the second consecutive month after 50 years.
Ford of Europe achieved further market share gains in 13 of its main 19 European markets in July. In the first seven months of 2009, Ford of Europe registered 871,400 vehicles in its 19 main markets, down by 68,900 vehicles, or 7.3 per cent over the same period in 2008. This compares with a total industry decline of 12.2 per cent in that period. As a result,Ford's share rose by 0.5 percentage points to 9.1 per cent, and was up in 17 of the 19 markets.

Year-to-date in its 51 markets Ford of Europe sold 977,200 vehicles, a reduction of 176,700 or 15.3 per cent versus the same period 2008.

"As we are moving into the second half of the year, we are encouraged to see Ford at a ten year high market share for July and, as a result of this, firmly established as Europe's second best-selling new vehicle brand in Europe," said Ingvar Sviggum, Ford of Europe's vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service. "We're also pleased to have increased sales volume for the second consecutive month, while the industry is still declining. The industry figures show, however, that despite the positive impact of various national vehicle scrappage schemes, the overall trend is still negative and the underlying market weak."

"We strongly believe that these incentive schemes should continue for as long as practically possible, and then be phased out in an orderly manner to avoid any dramatic reduction in market demand that could damage the still fragile improvement we have seen in recent months," Sviggum added. "In addition to continuing the successful scrappage schemes, national governments and the EU need to continue to support all industries in the automotive value chain through innovative tools until the economic crisis has ended."

Market and Model Sales Highlights

July

  • Markets:
    • Ford was market leader in the UK, Ireland and Hungary; in Hungary, share was at 17.8, up by 7.8 ppts. on the same period 2008, the highest share since 1994.
    • Ford’s sales volume in Germany increased by 45 percent (while industry grew 24 per cent) in July, and had highest monthly share there since June 2004.
    • Similarly, Ford Austria's July sales were up by 45 per cent, to a record high for the month of July since 1994.
    • Continues to be leading imported brand in Italy, with volume up by 35 per cent there, despite the Italian industry being up by only 3 per cent in July.
    • 61 per cent of Ford passenger cars sold went to retail customers in the Euro 19 markets, up from 47 percent in July 2008.
    • Ford was among the three best-selling brands in 13 of 19 European markets.
  • Models:
    • Ford of Europe's three top-selling vehicles (19 main markets) were the Fiesta (39,900), the Focus (28,700), and new Ka (10,500).
    • New Fiesta:
      • In Germany, the Fiesta became segment leader in July, the first time since the vehicle's market entry there in October 2008.
      • In the UK, where Fiesta sales were up by over 26 per cent vs. the same month 2008, Fiesta remained the industry's best-selling vehicle.
      • In June, Fiesta was both Europe's second best-selling car and the leader in the small car segment, two achievements which external sources are expected to confirm later this month for both the month of July and year-to-date.
      • In July, 39,900 Fiestas were delivered to customers in Europe -14,500 units more than the previous Fiesta model sold in July 2008.
    • New Ford Ka continues to be a success in the market despite the economic downturn. Ford sold 10,500 units in July (up 7,500 on July last year).
    • Ford Focus remained No 2 best-selling vehicle across the industry in the UK, behind the Fiesta.
    • The Ford C-MAX was the best-selling foreign vehicle in its segment in France.
    • Transit had its best July performance since 2003 (Euro 19 markets).

    July year-to-date

  • Markets:
    • Market leader in the UK, Ireland and Hungary.
    • Italy (share up by 2.0 ppts. to 9.7 per cent) and the UK (up by 1.5 ppts. to 17.9 per cent share) with highest share gains in the five largest markets in the first seven months of 2009.
    • Year-to-date sales volume increased by 37 per cent in Germany (vs. an increase of 21.3 per cent for the industry).
    • Ford was among the three best-selling brands in 12 of its Euro19 markets.
  • Models:
    • The three best-selling vehicles in the first seven months of 2009 were the new Fiesta (277,700), Focus (183,600) and Transit (70,300).
    • In the first seven months of 2009, Fiesta sales were up 75,000 over the same period 2008. To be confirmed as the No.2 best-selling car in Europe later this month. Approximately 340,000 Fiestas have been sold since the car was launched last autumn. 74 per cent of all Fiestas sold year-to-date were to retail customers (Euro19 markets).
    • 62,300 Ford Ka vehicles were delivered to Ford customers this year. 80 per cent of all Ka sales (Euro 19 markets) year-to-date were to retail customers.
    • The Ford C-MAX was leading its segment in Italy, as was the Focus Wagon.
    • Ford S-MAX, Focus and Mondeo were among the top three sellers in their segments in Spain for the first seven months of 2009.
    • Kuga saw highest sales growth in the compact SUV segment year-to-date in Spain.
    • Focus was best-selling industry vehicle in the first seven months in Hungary in 2009.

    July 2009 sales volume (in registrations)

     

    July 09

    July YTD 09

    Industry Euro 19 1

    1,397,400
    down 21,800 / (1.5) % vs. 07/08

    9,541,300
    down 1,322,900 / (12.2) % vs. 07/08

    Ford Euro 19 1

    125,200
    up 6,000 / 5.0 % vs. 07/08

    871,400
    down 68,900 / (7.3) % vs. 07/YTD 08

    Industry 21
    (Euro 19 + Russia,Turkey)

    1,543,600
    down 207,600 / (11.9) % vs.07/08

    10,745,600
    down 2,304,700 / (17.7)% vs. 07/08

    Ford Euro 21
    (Euro 19 + Russia,Turkey)

    135,900
    down 8,700 / (6.0) % vs. 07/08

    968,200
    down 136,000 / (12.3) % vs. 07/YTD 08

    Total Ford EURO 512
    (Euro 21+ EDM 30)3

    136,500
    down 13,400 / (8.9) % vs. 07/08

    977,200
    down 176,700 / (15.3) % vs. 07/YTD 08

    1 The Euro 19 markets are: Austria, Belgium, Britain, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Ford reports sales for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania through our Finnish National Sales Company, so sales data for the Baltic states is also included within Euro 19.
    2 Total Euro 51 composed of EURO 21 registrations and EDM 30 retail sales, as total EDM 30 registrations figures are not available. Industry retail sales data not available.
    3 EDM 30 or European Direct Markets are: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Georgia, Gibraltar, Kazakhstan, Kyrgysztan, Libya, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

    July 2009 market share 4

     

    July 09

    July YTD 09

    Euro 19

    9.0 %
    up 0.6 ppts. vs. July 08

    9.1 %
    up 0.5 ppts. vs. July YTD 08

    Total EURO 21
    (incl. Russia and Turkey)

    8.8 %
    up 0.6 ppts. vs. July 08

    9.0 %
    up 0.5 ppts. vs. July YTD 08

    4 Not available for EDM, where we base our share on non-domestic sales volumes.

    Ford Top 5 markets ranked by July volume (in registrations) plus Russia

     

    July

    July year-to-date

    July 09

    o(u) July

    July 09

    o(u) July

    July ytd

    o(u) J ytd

    July ytd

    o(u) J ytd

    Volume

    o(u) 08

    Share

    o(u) 08

    Volume

    o(u) 08

    Share

    o(u) 08

    1. Germany

    29,400

    9,100

    8.2 %

    1.2 ppts

    192,000

    51,800

    7.6 %

    0.9 ppts.

    2. UK

    28,500

    (3,700)

    16.3 %

    (1.7)

    217,100

    (50,700)

    17.9 %

    1.5

    3. Italy

    21,400

    5,500

    9.6 %

    2.3

    142,300

    16,700

    9.7 %

    2.0

    4. France

    12,200

    (600)

    5.5 %

    (0.1)

    88,400

    (200)

    5.7 %

    0.3

    5. Spain

    10,000

    (300)

    8.4 %

    1.1

    53,500

    (39,800)

    8.7 %

    (0.9)

    7. Russia

    5,300

    (13,800)

    4.6 %

    (2.1)

    54,400

    (62,400)

    6.1 %

    (0.2)

    Top 5 markets ranked by Ford's share in July

     

    July

    July year-to-date

    July 09

    o(u) July

    July 09

    o(u) July

    July ytd

    o(u) J ytd

    July ytd

    o(u) J ytd

    Share

    o(u) 08

    Volume

    o(u) 08

    Share

    o(u) 08

    Volume

    o(u) 08

    1. Turkey

    17.8 %

    3.8 ppts

    5,400

    (800)

    13.6 %

    (0.9) ppts.

    42,400

    (4,700)

    2. Hungary

    17.6 %

    7.8

    800

    (800)

    14.4 %

    2.7

    7,300

    (5,600)

    3. UK

    16.3 %

    (1.7)

    28,500

    (3,700)

    17.9 %

    1.5

    217,100

    (50,700)

    4. Ireland

    15.6 %

    2.4

    800

    (1,700)

    15.5 %

    2.0

    9,100

    (13,900)

    5. Czech Rep.

    11.0%

    3.2

    1,700

    200

    10.0 %

    2.4

    11,000

    1,200

    July sales (in registrations) by vehicle line (Euro 19) 5

    Model

    July 09

    o(u) July 08

    July YTD 09

    o(u) Jul. YTD 08

    New Ka

    10,500

    10,500

    62,300

    62,300

    Total Ka (prev./new)

    10,500

    7,500

    64,000

    30,300

    New Fiesta

    39,900

    39,900

    277,700

    277,700

    Total Fiesta (prev./new)

    40,000

    14,500

    282,000

    76,800

    Fusion

    4,100

    (1,200)

    33,700

    (10,800)

    Focus

    28,700

    (2,700)

    183,600

    (52,200)

    Focus CC

    700

    (300)

    6,300

    (1,400)

    C-MAX

    6,800

    (1,200)

    47,900

    (24,000)

    Kuga

    5,900

    2,400

    35,500

    26,400

    Mondeo

    8,900

    (4,200)

    69,800

    (35,900)

    S-MAX

    3,800

    (1,200)

    25,400

    (11,600)

    Galaxy

    2,300

    (500)

    16,400

    (4,800)

    Transit

    8,600

    (5,400)

    70,300

    (40,500)

    Transit Connect

    3,300

    (1,200)

    23,000

    (15,700)

    Ranger

    800

    (200)

    8,200

    (2,100)

    5 Figures do not include vehicles such as the Fiesta van, Maverick, Explorer imports and Turkish-built Cargo heavy trucks. Data are based on registrations.

    Notes to Editors:

    • Ford of Europe's market share refers to the traditional main 19 European markets (Euro 19) - excluding Turkey and Russia (as the other main markets) and excluding the 30 European Direct Markets (EDM), where we base our share on non-domestic sales volume and hence no total industry share figures are available.
    • Sales data (reference: registrations) for specific car lines refer to the Euro 19 markets.
    • We also report our sales performance (passenger cars and commercial vehicles) for the total region for which Ford of Europe is responsible (51 markets in total), here however as retail sales (as total industry registrations numbers are not available).
    • The Euro 19 markets are: Austria, Belgium, Britain, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Ford reports sales for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania through our Finnish National Sales Company, so sales data for the Baltic states is also included within Euro 19.
    • European Direct Markets are: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Georgia, Gibraltar, Kazakhstan, Kyrgysztan, Libya, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

    # # #

    Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 51 individual markets and employs approximately 69,400 employees. Ford is Europe's No.2 best-selling vehicle brand. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford of Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 22 manufacturing facilities, including joint ventures. The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 - the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.