Ford of Europe Increases Market Share Despite Weaker Industry

- August market share for Ford's Euro 19 markets increased by 0.4 percent to 8.0 percent

- In the first eight months, Ford of Europe sold 1,253,600 vehicles across its 51 markets, an increase of 0.4 percent

- Ford of Britain achieves its best market share in August since 2003

- Highest monthly share for Ford of Germany so far this year

COLOGNE, Germany, Sept. 15, 2008 - Ford of Europe improved market share for August across its major 19 countries by 0.4 percent to 8.0 percent, despite continued weakening of the industry in many key markets. Market share for the first eight months of 2008 remained stable at 8.6 percent.

Ford of Europe's total sales in its main 51 markets increased to 1,253,600 in the first eight months this year - an increase of 0.4 percent or 5,500 units.

Strong momentum in markets such as Russia and Ford's European Direct Markets (EDM) region helped to offset weaker sales in some of the traditional 19 countries. Ford's sales in Russia increased by more than 36 percent to 11,900 units, while Ford EDM sales gained 21.8 percent to 7,500 units.

"We are pleased to see our market share growing substantially in many markets despite lower overall volumes because of the general weakness in the industry," said Ingvar Sviggum, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.

"Given the difficult economic conditions and changing vehicle mix it is even more important that we offer customers an unbeatable portfolio of products, and the new Fiesta and Ka models will be valuable additions to our range," Sviggum said. "Also, with our new, class-leading ECOnetic line of low CO2 emission vehicles we are able to meet growing customer demand for more fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly cars."

Highlights for the Month

In the Euro 19 markets, Ford of Europe sold 72,300 vehicles (down 14.5 percent). When sales from Turkey, Russia and its 30 Direct Markets are added, Ford of Europe's August total sales were 98,400 units (down 10.3 percent).

The top selling Euro 19 models were the Focus (18,000), Fiesta (14,900) and Transit (9,400). In France, the Fiesta, S-MAX and C-MAX were the best-selling imported vehicles in their segments.

Ford of Germany and Ford of Britain performed well in August, despite the tough economic conditions.

Germany became Ford of Europe's largest single market in August with sales of 18,000 units. Ford's monthly share in this market went up 0.7 percent to 7.6 percent - Ford of Germany's highest share this year.

Britain's August share was 16.1 percent, up by 2.2 percent versus the prior year and the highest August share since 2003, with sales of 12,600 vehicles.

Despite difficult market conditions in Spain, the company's market share improved by 0.4 percent to 8.7 percent with sales of 5,800 units, the best August since 1997. Italy achieved sales of 6,800 units and 7.8 percent share, up 0.5 percent versus 2007, and the highest August since 2002.

The Year So Far

In the first eight months of this year Ford of Europe sold 1,013,400 vehicles in the Euro 19 markets with eleven of those markets posting increases. Sales for the company's main 51 countries increased by 0.4 percent to 1,253,600 units.

Britain was the company's top performing market, selling 280,400 vehicles with a share of 16.4 percent. Germany sold 157,700 vehicles, up 5.5 percent, and France sold 98,100 vehicles, an increase of 10.4 percent. Ford retained year-to-date market leadership in Spain for the first year ever with a share of 9.6 percent, up by 0.2 percent on 2007.