Ford Stretches UK Market Lead Heading Into Major September Sales Month

BRENTWOOD, UNITED KINGDOM – Sept 10, 2012: Market leader Ford has extended its sales advantage over its nearest rival through 2012 with increased car sales and share to the end of August, compared with the same period in 2011. This positions Ford ideally for September, when sales increase significantly due to the registration plate change.

Ford car sales for the year to date (end August) have increased by 3.3 per cent, compared with 2011. According to the official figures released on September 6 from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT):

Ford extends car sales lead over nearest rival by 78 per cent for the year to date

Ford car sales and share up through 2012

Ford Fiesta is the UK best seller in August and for the year to date

Ford Transit and Ford commercial vehicles (CVs) in 47th consecutive year of market leadership

The official figures released by the SMMT show that total car sales in August were up 0.1 per cent to 59,433 units, compared with August 2011. For the year to date (end August) total UK car sales were 1,260,997 up 3.3 per cent compared with 2011, while Ford car sales for this period in 2012 were 176,999, up 3.3 per cent compared with 2011.

Ford’s market leadership has been buoyed by rising sales of the Ford Fiesta, which was again the best seller for the month as well as for the year to date. Ford Fiesta sales for the year to date have increased from 61,551 to 70,096, compared with the same period in 2011, and its car market share is up from 5.1 to 5.6 per cent.

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain managing director, said: "In an intensely competitive market Ford has succeeded in extending its market lead over its nearest rival.

“A stream of exciting new Ford technology and products, including the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine in Focus, has been key to this success and in September the new Focus ST and B-MAX join the range for this important sales month. And there is more to come with the announcement yesterday of an aggressive product rollout that targets key growth opportunities for Ford, including large cars, sport utility vehicles and commercial vehicles."

Ford’s current CV market leadership remains unchallenged with a 21.9 per cent share for the year to date, compared with 10.9 per cent for its nearest rival. Ford medium commercials, headed by the industry-leading Ford Transit, have accounted for 31.3 per cent of sales in that segment for the year to date, up from 28.2 per cent in 2011.

Ford Transit is in its 47th consecutive year as the UK’s best-selling commercial vehicle. Transit holds 17.4 per cent of the CV market for the year to date compared with 5.7 per cent for its nearest challenger. In August, Transit accounted for 14.0 per cent of the total CV market.