Ford of Europe Hold Market Share In a Weaker Industry

COLOGNE, August 19, 2008: Ford of Europe's total sales in its main 51 markets rose by two per cent to 1,196,200 in the first seven months this year.

Strong sales in Russia and the company's 30 Direct Markets helped to offset lower sales in some of the traditional 19 European markets.

As a result of softening market conditions, sales in the Euro 19 markets declined by 6.6 per cent. While the drop was in line with overall industry decline, Ford's market share was stable at 8.4 per cent in July, and at 8.7 per cent in the first seven months.

"Despite the economic headwinds affecting the industry, we are on track to sell more vehicles than we did last year - and 2007 was already a record year for us", said Ingvar Sviggum, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe.

"At a time when consumers are more hesitant in their purchasing decisions, it is even more crucial to have convincing products", Sviggum added. "Early reactions to our all-new Fiesta make us confident that we are adding another cornerstone to continue the upwards trend of the Ford brand - despite adverse economic conditions."

Volume production of the new Ford Fiesta started at the company's plant in Cologne on August 14.

July
With consumers focused on holidays, July is traditionally one of the weakest months for vehicle sales. In the Euro 19 markets, Ford of Europe sold 117,200 vehicles (down 6.6 per cent). Adding sales from Turkey, Russia and its 30 Direct Markets, Ford of Europe's July total sales were 149,800 units.

Britain remained the company's largest single market in July, where sales rose by 4.3 per cent to 32,200. Market share went up by almost three per cent to 17.8 per cent. Ford's sales in Germany continued to gain momentum, increasing by 8.8 per cent to more than 21,000 units. This boosted the company's market share by 0.4 to 7.1 per cent. In France, a government environmental incentive continued to catalyse sales, with Ford sales up to 10,900 in July.

Sales in Russia soared almost 26 per cent, to 19,100 units, and in Ford's European Direct Markets by 85 per cent, to 8,700 units.

The top selling models in July across the Euro 19 markets were the Focus (31,200), Fiesta (24,600) and Transit (13,800).

Year-to-date
In the first seven months of this year Ford of Europe sold 940,600 vehicles in the Euro 19 markets. Ten of those markets posted increases. Ford of Europe sales in its main 51 markets increased by two percent in the first seven months to 1,196,200. Britain was the company's top performer, selling 267,700 vehicles for a share of 16.4 per cent. Among other successes, Germany sold 139,500 vehicles (an increase of 6.3 per cent) and France 91,800 (plus 12.8 per cent). Spain continues to lead the passenger car market this year, with a share of 9.6 per cent, up by 0.2 per cent on 2007.