Ford Of Europe Sets Sales Record In first Half of 2008

COLOGNE, July 15, 2008: Ford of Europe's sales in its main 51 markets rose by almost two per cent to a record 1,003,700 in the first half of this year.

"Surpassing the one million mark after only six months of the year is confirmation of how well our products are being received by an increasing number of customers," said Ingvar Sviggum, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. "We are also very pleased that despite a general softening of the industry and the challenging economic environment we could increase to 8.8 per cent our market share in the Euro 19 markets.

"With the new Kuga compact cross-over currently arriving in European dealerships, and the all-new Fiesta going into production next month, we have prepared the ground to further improve our market position," he added.

June
The top selling models in June across the Euro 19 markets were the Focus (33,200), Fiesta (30,600) and Mondeo (14,300). The Kuga continued its strong start with sales of 2,800.

The Fiesta was the best-selling imported car in Italy, selling 6,700 units, and Ford was Italy's best selling imported vehicle brand, achieving a 7.9 per cent market share. In France, the Fiesta, S-MAX and C-MAX were the best-selling vehicles in their segments.

Britain was the company's top market in June, selling 37,200 vehicles for a market leading share of 15.3 per cent.

Sales in Germany increased by 16.9 per cent, to 23,900 while France improved by 9.5 per cent to 15,700.

Half Year
In the first six months of this year Ford of Europe sold 823,400 vehicles in the Euro 19 markets. Twelve of those markets posted increases. Britain was the company's top region, selling 235,500 vehicles for a share of 16.2 per cent. Among other successes, Germany sold 118,500 (an increase of 5.8 per cent) vehicles and France 80,900 (plus 13.7 per cent). Ford leads the market in Spain this year, with a share of 10.0 per cent, up by 0.5 per cent on 2007.

First half sales in Russia increased 19.8 per cent to 97,300. Turkey improved by 3.8 per cent, to 38,700, while sales in Ford's 30 European Direct Markets soared by 39.4 per cent to 44,400.

In the first half of the year, Transit retails were up 7,500, to a record 99,400 in the Euro 19 markets.