Ford said its sales in Europe rose in April, marking the 11th
straight month of year-over-year sales improvement and fifth successive
month of market share gains.
Overall, Ford sold 99,700 vehicles in April in its European 20** main
markets, an increase of 6,200 compared with April 2013. Ford’s 6.6 per
cent improvement outpaced total industry growth of 4.2 percent in
Europe, and boosted Ford’s market share up by 0.2 of a percentage point
to 7.9 per cent.
“Vehicle sales in Western Europe are starting to improve modestly, and
we have been consistently outpacing the industry thanks to a very fresh
product line,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales
and Service, Ford of Europe. “At the same time, we continue to focus on
sales to retail and fleet customer, which are healthiest for our brand
and resale values.”
The Fiesta remained Ford’s best-selling car in April with 29,000
registrations – its best April sales performance since 2010. The Ford
Ranger – International Pickup of the Year – posted its best-ever April
sales since the Ranger was introduced in Europe in 1999.
Ford’s commercial vehicle sales continue to improve – up 7 percent
year-to-date. Ford’s commercial vehicle market share in Europe – 10.2
percent through April – is at its highest level since 1998. Transit is
now the No.1 best-seller in the combined one- and two-tonne commercial
vehicle segment in Europe.*
Ford sales in the UK – its largest European market by sales volume –
rose 11.6 percent in April, further extending its lead in the market.
Sales in Germany, Ford’s second-largest European market, were equal to
last year while the overall industry down for the month. Year-to-date,
Ford sales volume in Germany is up 16 percent, outpacing industry growth
of 3.2 percent.
* Data available for January to March 2014
** Effective January 2014, Ford of Europe reports its sales for the 20
European main markets where it is represented through National Sales
Companies. Previously, Ford referenced 19 countries. Romania has been
added as the 20th market. Ford of Europe also has introduced
a market share for the total of the 50 European markets within which it
operates. A detailed list of markets is below.
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader
based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across
six continents. With about 181,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide,
the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more
information about Ford and its products worldwide please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and
servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs
approximately 47,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and
approximately 67,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated
businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford
Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 22
manufacturing facilities (13 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture
facilities and nine unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first
Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor
Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
For news releases, related materials, photos and video, visit www.fordmedia.eu
or www.media.ford.com.
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Copyright Business Wire 2014