Ford Fiesta (
- Ford achieved its ninth month-on-month European sales volume growth in February, 1.8 per cent or 1,600 units higher than February last year
- Italy was Ford's top-selling European market in February, while Spanish sales were up 53 per cent, and French sales increased by 17 per cent
- Ford remains No.1 in the UK, Hungary and Turkey, both in February and year-to-date
- In the UK, Ford leads all major segments year-to-date with Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo and Galaxy, while Transit was the best-selling commercial vehicle
- Fiesta sales momentum continues: 675,000 sold globally since the car was launched
- Fiesta remains Europe's No.1 small car and No.2 best-selling car overall in February and year-to-date. Highest February Fiesta sales volume since 1998, and up over 24 per cent year-to-date
- Strongest February share for Ford Ka since 1999
- European share at 8.4 per cent: less than 0.1 percentage points than February 2009, even with continuing aggressive discounting by some competitors
COLOGNE, March 15, 2010 – For the ninth month running, Ford of Europe maintained its positive sales momentum in February 2010, selling 93,200 new vehicles across its 19 main European markets – an increase of 1.8 per cent (or 1,600 units) on the same month last year.
"It's great to see that there's still very strong demand for our latest products, and that our market share was pretty stable in February despite aggressive discounting by some of our competitors," said Ingvar Sviggum, Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.
"We understand the need to be competitive in the market, but we will not engage in actions that jeopardise the sustainability of our business or that devalue our brand. Such strategies are self-defeating in the longer term. Our aim is to create a strong business which provides our customers with great products at an affordable price."
Italy led Ford's European sales charts for February, having increased volume by 3,800 units to 22,000 units, with a market share of 10.1 per cent. In Spain, Ford's February volume increased by 53 per cent versus the same month last year, or 3,000 units to 8,800 units, while in France volume grew by 1,800 units to 12,200 units, more than 17 per cent higher.
Ford was the No.1 best-selling brand in the UK, Hungary, and Turkey, and increased its market share in eight of its 19 main European markets. Fiesta sales were the highest in February since 1998, further strengthening the model's position as Europe's No.1 small car and No.2 selling car overall in February and year-to-date. Among other sales successes was Ka, having grown by more than 47 per cent year-on-year.
"February is traditionally a slower month in the UK as the market prepares for the March registration change, but Ford remained No.1 in the country," Mr. Sviggum said. "We also retained leadership in the market segments where the Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo and Galaxy compete, while Transit was the best-selling commercial vehicle.
"We expect a strong March in the UK and to continue our sales momentum across Europe," Mr. Sviggum continued. "We've increased the number of vehicles we were intending to build in the First Quarter by 20,000 units, though we still expect some decline in the European market during the course of the year as scrappage schemes are phased-out."
Ford vehicle sales year-to-date in the main 19 European markets
Year-to-date, Ford has registered 198,500 vehicles in its 19 European markets, 5,800 units or three per cent more than in 2009. Market share in the main 19 European markets was 8.6 per cent, down 0.3 percentage points, partly due to aggressive discounting by some competitors. Ford's share was up in four of its main 19 European markets in the first two months of 2010.
Ford vehicle sales year-to-date across all 51 European markets
Across its 51 markets, Ford of Europe sold 105,300 in February and 219,600 vehicles year-to-date. Compared to 2009, these sales were 3.3 and 2.1 per cent lower respectively, primarily due to continuing weakness in the Eastern European markets and Russia.
February Highlights
Ford Market Performance:
- Increased share in 8 of Ford's main 19 European markets.
- Market leader in the UK, Hungary and Turkey.
- Ford was No.1 imported brand in Italy, where share was at 10.1 per cent, up 0.1 ppts on February 2009. Sales volume there soared to 22,000, up by 3,800 units – the highest monthly registrations within the five largest markets (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain), and the highest February volume for Italy since 1998.
- Spain's February volume was up by 53 per cent versus the same month last year or 3,000 units to 8,800. Ford's market share in Spain increased by 0.5 ppts to 8.6 per cent, marking the highest share gain within the five largest markets in February.
- In France, Ford increased volume to 12,200, up by more than 17 per cent or 1,800 units. Share was at 5.7 per cent, up by 0.2 ppts - the strongest February share and registrations results there since 1999.
- Ford was the leading import brand in the Czech Republic and France.
- In Switzerland, Ford's February registrations of 1,200 were 16 per cent over 2009, resulting in the highest February volume there since 2002. Share was at 6.1 per cent, up by 0.8 ppts, the highest of Ford's main 19 markets and the best February share for Switzerland since 1999.
- Other highest share gains were delivered in Poland (up 0.6 ppts; market share at 7.8 per cent, the highest share since February 2005), and Sweden (up 0.3 ppts; share at 6.8 per cent; the best February share since 2006).
Model Performance:
- Fiesta (32,500), Focus (19,100), and Ka (7,800) were Ford of Europe's three top-selling vehicles (19 main European markets).
- Fiesta monthly sales were the highest in February since 1998, up by more than four per cent on 2009, maintaining the Fiesta Europe's No.1 small car and No.2 best-selling car overall in February, an achievement which external sources are expected to confirm later this month.
- Fiesta and Focus continued as the No.1 and No.2 best-sellers respectively in the UK. Fiesta was also the best-selling foreign vehicle for the month in Italy and in France.
- 15 months after its debut, 675,000 customers have purchased the new Fiesta around the world, as Ford continues to launch this global car in the U.S. and other key Asian Pacific markets in 2010.
- Ka continues its success: 7,800 units sold in February, up by 5,100 or more than 11 per cent – the best February for Ka since 2002.
- C-MAX and S-MAX were the best-selling foreign vehicles in their segment in France.
- Retail sales accounted for 72 per cent of new Kuga, 70 per cent of new Ka, 69 per cent of Fiesta and 66 per cent of Fusion sales in February 2010.
February Year-to-Date Performance:
- Ford's share increased in 4 of its main 19 European markets.
- Market leader in the UK, Hungary and Turkey.
- Spain's year-to-date sales volume increased by 3,300 to 15,800, up by 26 per cent versus the first two months in 2009.
- No.1 imported brand in France, with registrations at 23,400, up by 2,300 or more than 10 per cent on 2009 – the best year-to-date volume since 2000.
- Italy's share in the first two months of 2010 was at 10.1 per cent, up by 0.4 ppts on 2009, the highest share gain in the five largest markets, and the highest year-to-date February registrations and share in Italy since 1996.
- Scandinavian markets continue to perform well in 2010. Sweden had registrations of 2,400, up by 500 units, or an increase of 25 per cent, the highest February year-to-date volume since 2007.
- The highest share gains of all 19 markets in the first two months of 2010 were in Italy (+0.4 ppts), Poland (+0.4 ppts to 7.0 per cent – the highest since 2006), and Portugal (+0.3 ppts to 8.0 per cent, the best February year-to-date share since 1998).
Model Performance:
- The three best-selling vehicles year-to-date 2010 were the new Fiesta (71,600), Focus (39,600) and Ka (16,300).
- In the first two months of 2010, new Fiesta sales were up 14,300 or more than 24 per cent on 2009, the best February sales and share for this model since 1998. Fiesta also remained best-selling foreign vehicle in Italy year-to-date 2010.
- 16,300 new Ford Ka vehicles have been delivered to Ford customers so far this year, up 5,100 units or more than 47 per cent versus the first two months of 2009. Share and sales volume were the best since 2003 and 2002 respectively.
- In the first two months of 2010, Ford was segment-leading in the UK with Fiesta and Focus (22.5 per cent respectively), plus Mondeo (21.6 per cent) and Galaxy (53.1 per cent).
- C-MAX and S-MAX were the top-selling imported products in their segment in France.
- Fiesta remained No.1 best-selling car in the UK year-to-date, ahead of the Focus in No.2 position, while Transit was the best-selling commercial vehicle in the UK in the first two months of 2010.
