Ford European Vehicle Sales Down to 813,756 Units For Year

BERLIN July 9, 2003; Dow Jones reported that Ford Motor Co. sold 813,756 cars and trucks in Europe in the first half of 2003, a decline of 1.2% compared with a year ago, Ford of Europe said Wednesday.

Despite the drop in sales, Ford said it grabbed market share as the European market contracted 2.7% in the period.

"In a time when the European car market is enduring one of its most challenging and competitive periods ever, Ford continues to outperform its competition," Earl Hesterberg, Ford of Europe's vice president of sales and marketing, said in a statement.

In the first half, sales of passenger cars fell 17,660 to 707,637, while commercial vehicles rose 7,957 to 106,239, a Ford of Europe spokesman said.

The Focus was Ford's most successful model, selling 261,900 units in the January-June period. The Fiesta followed with 184,200 cars sold.

Italy, Spain and France were Ford's best markets in Europe.

In June, total vehicle sales rose 2% to 135,000, the spokesman said.

Company web site: http://www.ford.com