BRENTWOOD, Essex, 5 October, 2006 – Ford is on course for 30 years as Britain's top selling car brand thanks to surging sales of the new "56" plate models to private buyers.
For the first time in 2006, the Ford Fiesta became the UK's favourite car, displacing the Ford Focus to second place. In total over 70,000 "56"-plated Ford cars and commercial vehicles took to the road last month, taking 15 per cent of the market – a full percentage point up on a year ago.
Ford, which has been the country's favourite marque every year since 1977, has seen a significant increase in private, or retail, buyers in September, and this is propelling the blue oval towards its 30 th successive year of leadership.
Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: "The greater proportion of private sales with in a bigger overall share of the UK vehicle market is a significant double whammy for Ford. We are increasing profitability and market share in tandem – a trend which we are determined to continue with the introduction of further new models such as the Ford Focus Coupe Cabriolet alongside recently launched vehicles such as the S-MAX, Galaxy, Transit and Ranger."
Ford highlights for the crucial September registration month include:
- Total vehicle retail for September 2006: 30,117 (vs 26,924 September 2005)
- Total vehicle, retail + fleet, also up in September: 70,130 (vs 66,209 in 2005)
- Car market leadership for Fiesta in September and a near 20 per cent hike in year-to-date sales.
- Fiesta, S-MAX, Fusion and Focus C-MAX together help deliver a two per cent increase in retail sales for September.
- Car market leadership by a 34,520-unit margin in Ford's 30 th successive year on top.
- Continued trio of successes for Ford Focus, which is Britain's top-selling car overall, as well as favourite diesel choice and number one among company car drivers.
- Ford Fiesta Van and short wheelbase Transit and Tourneo Connect enjoy a five per cent rise in share of the light commercial vehicle market to 23 per cent