Ford Of Europe Year-To-Date Market Share Holds Steady Despite Industry Decline

COLOGNE - October 13, 2008: Ford of Europe sold 1,149,800 vehicles in its main 19 European markets in the first nine months of this year. Ford's market share was 8.7 per cent, unchanged from last year, despite a four per cent decline in total industry sales.

"While the global economic downturn is continuing to impact vehicle sales in some areas, our year-to-date share in the main 19 markets is continuing to hold steady," said Ingvar Sviggum, vice president, marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe.

"That is because we have an outstanding range of new products and, together with our dealer partners, we are working hard to give customers the high quality vehicles and service they want. We expect general economic concerns to continue in the months ahead, but we are focused on bringing more new models to market, including our all-new small cars, the Fiesta and Ka."

"The gradual but steady improvement in our performance in Germany is particularly pleasing," Sviggum added. While sales in some major markets were weaker, there were significant year-to-date increases in a number of countries, including Germany (+5.6 per cent), France (+11.8 per cent), Belgium (+8.9 per cent) and the Netherlands (+6.8 per cent).

Across all of its 51 European markets, the Company has sold 1,414,500 units so far this year.

Britain has been the company's top performing market this year, selling 336,000 vehicles giving it a market share of 16.1 per cent. Germany sold 179,800 vehicles (up 5.6 per cent) and France 110,100 (increase of 11.8 per cent). Ford retained year-to-date car market leadership in Spain with a share of 9.5 per cent, up by one per cent on 2007.

Ford sales in Russia and the European Direct Markets continued to be strong. Year-to-date sales in Russia increased by 17.7 per cent, to 140,800, with the EDM markets rising more than 38 per cent to 66,000.

September
Ford of Europe sold 136,700 vehicles in September across its main 19 European markets, gaining a market share of 9.3 per cent.

While Ford sales reflected lower total industry volumes, it made gains in several major markets. In particular, Ford sales rose seven per cent in Germany, to 22,300, and 25.3 per cent in France, to 12,000.

Ford of Germany had a total vehicle market share in September of 7.7 per cent, putting it ahead of GM Opel for the second month in a row - last month this happened was January 2002.

Among other September highlights, Ford was market leader in Britain, and Ireland. It was also the leading non-domestic brand in France.

"Ford of Europe sold 161,700 vehicles, down 12.3 per cent in September versus the same month last year, as falling consumer confidence and credit tightening across the whole industry affected markets," added Ingvar Sviggum.

"But despite these challenging times, we are continuing to hold market share thanks to our well-regarded new models."