BRENTWOOD, Essex, 4 April, 2008 – New car buyers showed their enthusiasm for Ford's exciting new model range by helping to set another sales record during March's changeover to the "08" plate.
New Focus, Mondeo and C-MAX led the strikingly designed Ford cars which attracted over 67,600 customers to the blue oval brand last month. Ford's total in March, including new commercial vehicle registrations – principally Transit and Transit Connect, topped 83,600.
This sets a new record since bi-annual number plate changes were introduced in 1999, and underlines the desirability of the new 'kinetic design' models filling Ford showrooms. Dealerships are benefiting as a result of the surge in Ford sales to private customers, with rising numbers visiting showrooms.
Almost 37,000 Ford cars were delivered to private customers last month – an increase of more than six per cent on a year ago. Ford Focus continues its reign as the UK's top selling car. Ford Mondeo models sporting "08" plates were ordered by a massive 80 per cent more private individuals than in March 2007. Ford's C-MAX, also refreshed last year, surged 27 per cent in the retail market.
Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: "Last month was the first true test of the public's response to the new Ford range. A record sales month is the loud and clear answer I wanted to hear – and we still have the new Ford Kuga crossover, Ford Fiesta and Ka to come."
Customers are increasingly drawn to flagship models such as Titanium and specifying high-tech options including Bluetooth for a wireless mobile-phone-to-car-audio connection. The majority of private new Mondeo sales are Titanium badged (56 per cent). One in three customers specify Bluetooth in a new Ford Focus.
Drivers looking for the greenest Fords have driven up registrations of Ford Fiesta, Fusion and Focus models with emissions under 120g CO2/km by a third. Rising demand for the cars' ultra-frugal 1.4 and 1.6-litre TDCi engines – assembled at Dagenham Diesel Centre – has prompted the wind-powered plant to order a third turbine to ensure its continued renewable energy supply.Ford Focus, along with C-MAX, also makes up 70 per cent of Ford's Motability business with disabled drivers – another sector led by Ford last month and where Ford's latest exciting models are increasing demand.
March sales data
2008 |
2007 |
|||
Volume |
% share |
Volume |
% share |
|
Total car market |
451,642 |
100.0 |
449,287 |
100.0 |
Ford car sales |
67,676 |
15.0 |
66,712 |
14.8 |
Ford retail car sales |
36,857 |
14.3 |
34,663 |
13.4 |
Total CV market |
59,739 |
100.0 |
56,466 |
100.0 |
Ford CV sales |
15,935 |
26.7 |
14,924 |
26.4 |