Ford's Strong Sales Momentum Continues in European Growth Markets

 
  • Ford's total European 50 market sales volume was stable at 104,700 units in February on February 2010
  • Ford sales in its traditional 19 European markets were 85,500, and share was 7.6 per cent, down 0.8 percentage points
  • Ford sales were the highest-ever for the month of February in Turkey, up by 110 per cent, while sales in Russia and Eastern Europe gained 50 and 29.6 per cent, respectively year-on-year
  • Ford retained year-to-date market leadership in Britain, Hungary and Turkey, and remains the top-selling imported brand in Italy
  • Year-over-year Ford share increased in February in Spain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark Hungary, Norway, Russia and Turkey
  • The all-new C-MAX continues to sell well – more than 31,000 have now been sold since the models were launched late last year – making it Ford's third best-selling vehicle
  • S-MAX sales were up by 63 per cent in February, and 47 per cent year-to-date. Galaxy sales were up 8 per cent in February and 24 per cent year-to-date
  • Commercial Vehicle share of 7.7 per cent was up by 0.5 ppts - the best CV February share for Ford in its Euro 19 markets since 2008

COLOGNE, Germany, March 15, 2011 – Ford's overall European sales in its 50 markets remained stable in February. As in January, sales were particularly strong in the growth markets of Turkey, Russia and Eastern Europe.

Ford's sales in these markets were 104,700 units, unchanged versus February 2010.

Ford's Turkish sales increased by 110 per cent – from 4,400 last year to 9,300 this February – making it the highest-ever February sales month for Ford in the country. Ford's sales in Russia increased by 50 per cent, while Eastern European sales rose by 9.4 per cent in February.

The increased sales volume in these markets helped to offset a smaller volume in Ford's traditional 19 European markets. Sales were 85,500 units, down 7,700 units, and Ford's total vehicle share in these markets was 7.6 per cent, a reduction of 0.8 percentage points from February 2010.

"It's great to see the C-MAX having such a strong sales start," said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. "It's already our No. 3 best-selling model after the Fiesta and Focus, and we've already sold over 31,000 C-MAX models in just a  few months after launch."

"We're also just starting the launch of the all-new Ford Focus five-door across Europe, with the four-door and wagon derivatives due in May. This is a great car, a class-leader in so many areas, and we fully expect it to do extremely well in the market.

"In terms of the UK, Ford is the clear top-selling brand year-to-date, with the Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta No.1 and No.2 best-selling cars in the market respectively. The February market accounts for just three per cent of annual sales, and is effectively a curtain raiser for the high volume of sales during the important registration plate change month of March, when Ford customers have the chance to experience first-hand the exciting, new Ford Focus," said de Waard. 

Ford already has one of the freshest product ranges in the European auto industry, and this year it is anticipated that around 40 per cent of Ford's sales volume will be of all-new or significantly freshened products. Over the next three years, Ford will launch at least 20 new or freshened products in Europe, and is also looking at ways to leverage Ford's extensive product portfolio. Ford's first electric vehicle – the Transit Connect Electric – also goes on sale in Europe this year.

February sales highlights (Euro 19 plus Russia and Turkey)

Market Performance:

  • February sales in Russia were at 6,600 units, an increase of 50 per cent or 2,200 units on 2010, while Turkey reported a sales gain of 110 per centto 9,300, up by 4,900 versus February 2010. This has been the best February volume for Ford in Turkey ever. Eastern European sales were up 24 per cent.
  • Market leader in Hungary and Turkey.  
  • Ford was No.1 imported brand in Italy.  
  • Ford's share in its 19 European markets was 7.6 per cent for February, 0.8 ppts below last year.
  • Commercial Vehicle market share of 7.7 per cent was up by 0.5 ppts - the best CV February share for Ford in its Euro 19 markets since 2008.
  • Increased share in six of Ford's main 19 European markets, including Spain, Austria, Belgium, Norway, Finland and Hungary, plus in Russia and Turkey.  
  • Germany reported sales of 17,600 for the month of February, up by 2,100 units or 13.4 ppts on 2010 - the highest share increase for the six major markets (Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and Spain).
  • Highest share gains in the 19 European region were delivered in Norway (up 2 ppts, with share at 8.9 per cent, the highest February share since 2008), Hungary (up 1.4 ppts; share at 12.1 per cent, and the highest share since 2009) and Belgium (up 0.4 ppts; share at 6.4 per cent).

Model Performance:

  • New C-MAX sales soared to 9,100 in February, now totaling more than 31,000 units since its market entry in late 2010, making the car Ford's no 3 in Europe, the best February C-MAX volume since 2007.
  • Kuga is continuing to develop strong momentum with sales of 5,200, up by 200 units or 3.6 per cent on 2010 – the best February volume and share for Kuga since launch in February 2008.
  • S-MAX and Galaxy had another strong month in February, with S-MAX sales being up by 1,400 units to 3,700 or 63 per cent, the highest February volume since 2008, whilst Galaxy saw sales of 1,600, up by 100 units on 2010, an increase of eight per cent on February 2010.
  • Fiesta (24,100), Focus (13,100), and all-new C-MAX (9,100) were Ford of Europe's top-selling models in the Euro 19.
  • Fiesta was best-selling foreign vehicle for the month in Italy and France.
  • Since its market debut in October 2008, 1,178,400 customers have purchased the Fiesta around the world, with more than 1,027,000 cars having been sold in Europe. 
  • Transit sales soared to 8,700 units (up by 1,600 on February 2010) or an increase of 22 per cent, the largest February volume for Transit since 2008. 
  • Retail sales accounted for 76 per cent of Fusion, 65 per cent of Fiesta and Ka and 59 per cent of Kuga in the second month of 2011.

Year-to-date February 2011 performance (Euro 19 plus Russia and Turkey)

Market Performance:

  • Market leader in the UK, Hungary and Turkey.  
  • Ford's share was at 7.9 per cent, down by 0.7 ppts on the first two months of 2010.
  • Germany's volume year-to-date February 2011 grew to 34,800, up by 15.5 per cent or 4,700 units, the highest year-to-date February volume since 2009.
  • Ford's share increased in six of its main 19 European markets, plus in Turkey.
  • Leading import brand in the Italy for February year-to-date 2011.
  • Scandinavian markets are going from strength to strength in the first two months of 2011. Sweden had registrations of 3,100, up by 700 units, an increase of 30 per cent on 2009 and the highest year-to-date February volume improvement there since 1999. Norway's sales volume was at 2,300, up by 500, representing an increase of 25 per cent on the first two months 2010.
  • The highest share gains of all 19 markets year-to-date 2011 were in Hungary (+1.2 ppts at 12.5 per cent share), Norway (+ 0.7 ppts, at 8.5 per cent) and Austria (+0.5 ppts to 6.9 per cent).
  • For the first two months of 2011, Turkey's share was at 15.3 per cent, up by 0.8 ppts on the same period 2010. Sales in Turkey increased by 8,900 units to 16,600 in the first two months 2011 – a 115 per cent sales plus on the same period 2010. 2011 February year-to-date sales for Ford in Russia were at 10,300, up by 39.3 per cent or 2,900 units on the same period 2010.

Model Performance:

  • The three best-selling vehicles in the first two months of 2011 were the Fiesta (51,100), Focus (33,600) and Transit (19,200).
  • Year-to-date Transit share was the highest year-to-date February share since 2007. 
  • In the first two months of 2011, Fiesta remained the best-selling foreign vehicle in Italy.
  • Focus was the UK's No.1 best-selling car year-to-date and was leading its segment in Spain, while Transit was the best-selling commercial vehicle in the first two months of 2011 in the UK.
  • Still being launched across Europe, all-new C-MAX sales achieved 18,000 - the highest volume improvement of a Ford vehicle in the main 19 markets for the first two months of 2011.
  • C-MAX and S-MAX were the best-selling foreign vehicles in their segment in France.

 

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.fordmotorcompany.com.

Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 51 individual markets and employs approximately 66,000 employees. 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.