- Ford leads the industry across Europe's main 19 markets with 9.9 per cent market share
- March sales across these Euro 19 markets was 187,400
- Including Turkey, market share was 10 per cent and sales were 195,100
- Across all Ford's 51 European territories, sales broke the 500,000 barrier during the first quarter of 2008
- Ford took first quarter sales leadership in the UK and Spain
- Record Ford commercial vehicle sales in the quarter
COLOGNE, April 15, 2008 – Ford of Europe gained market leadership in March across the main Euro 19 territories, with a market share of 9.9 per cent. Against the background of a weaker industry, Ford sold 187,400 vehicles in these 19 markets last month.When strong sales in Russia, Turkey and the 30 Ford European Direct Markets are added, total sales for the month were 221,100. Ford sales across all its 51 markets have grown by 7,500 during the first quarter of the year to reach 501,500 vehicles.
Market Highlights
The Company's top-performing market in March was the UK, where the March registration plate change boosted sales to 83,460 (+1,840), the highest Ford total there since the country's bi-annual plate change system was introduced in 1999.
Elsewhere, Ford was the leading imported brand in France in March, with sales up 13 per cent to 14,500. In Spain, Ford was market leader in the first quarter with a 10.3 per cent market share, up 0.8 per cent versus prior year. In the Netherlands, Ford took market leadership in March with an 8.8 per cent market share, up 0.5 per cent versus 2007.
Turkey and Russia also continued to grow, Turkey by 11 per cent to 7,700 units and Russia by 7.5 per cent to 17,800 units - a record March for Russia.
Best-Selling Vehicle Models in March
The Fiesta was Ford of Europe's top-selling model in March (46,800) across the Euro 19 markets followed by the Focus (44,600). Mondeo sales soared to 18,700.
And it was not only Ford cars that were in demand. March commercial vehicle sales increased across these same 19 territories to 34,700. The Transit led the sales charge, selling over 23,100 units.
First Quarter Sales and Market Share
Commercial vehicle sales reached an all-time record across the Euro 19 markets during the quarter (77,400), with Transit sales alone accounting for 51,000 of that total.
Ford of Europe first quarter market share across the main Euro 19 markets was 8.9 per cent.
The best-performing Ford market during the first quarter was the UK with sales of 131,340. Among other successes France boosted its sales by over 4,300, to 38,670.
"Despite last month's slowdown in the European market, we finished the first quarter with higher year-over-year sales. With our range of high quality new models continuing to resonate with both the media and the public, we are in a strong position to build on that positive start to the year," said Ingvar Sviggum, vice president, marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe.
"With more than 20 new or improved models, including the Kuga and, of course, the new Fiesta, arriving in showrooms this year, we are confident of maintaining our sales momentum in the months ahead," he added.
