Ford Growth Bucks UK Car Sales Trend and Extends Market Lead

BRENTWOOD, UNITED KINGDOM – Apr 6, 2012: UK market leader Ford has increased its car sales and share for the year to date. Ford’s car sales in the first quarter of 2012 were up 3.5 per cent, compared with 2011, while the UK car market overall was up 0.9 per cent.

Ford car sales were up 1.9 per cent in March, compared with March 2011, while Ford commercial vehicles (CVs) maintained overall leadership of the CV market, according to the official sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT):

First quarter 2012 highlights:

Ford leads UK market: total vehicle sales 99,403, share 15.6 per cent

Ford Fiesta UK bestseller, Ford Focus second

At 82,848 registrations Ford car sales are up 3.5 per cent compared with 2011

Ford has extended its UK car sales lead by 87 per cent over its nearest rival

Ford commercial vehicles lead both the LCV and MCV segments.

March 2012 highlights:

Ford total vehicle sales 64,207, or 15.3 per cent market share

Ford Fiesta leads UK car sales, Ford Focus is third

At 53,830 registrations Ford car sales are up 1.9 per cent compared with 2011

Ford extended its car sales lead by 35 per cent over its nearest rival

Ford commercial vehicles lead both the LCV and MCV segments.

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain managing director, said: "The important March sales month, when the number plate change boosts registrations, has provided some positive news for the market and Ford’s car range has continued its terrific 2012 sales record by extending our UK lead and significantly beating the market during the first quarter.

“The good news for Ford is that our best-ever range of vehicles is being strengthened even further this year with a slew of new vehicle launches such as B-MAX, 1.0-litre EcoBoost in Focus and B-MAX, Focus ST, Ranger and the new Ford Transit, which will make an even greater impact on the UK’s commercial vehicle market in its 46th year of UK CV leadership."

The official figures released by the SMMT today show that total car sales in March were up 1.8 per cent to 372,835 units, compared with March 2011. Ford car sales of 53,830 were up 1.9 per cent, from 52,829 in March 2011. For the year to date (end March) total UK car sales were 563,556, up 0.9 per cent compared with 2011, while Ford car sales for this period in 2012 were 82,848 up 3.5 per cent compared with 2011.

Ford Fiesta was the UK best seller in March, taking 6.1 per cent of the total car market with 22,667 sales, up from 5.4 per cent and 19,676 sales in March 2011. Ford Fiesta is also the UK best seller for the year to date; its sales have increased from 27,924 to 33,390, compared with the same period in 2011.

Ford Focus took third position in UK sales in March and was in second place for the year to date. Focus secured 4.0 per cent of the March market with 15,086 registrations up from 3.9 per cent and 14,370 sales in March 2011.

The UK light commercial vehicle (LCV) and medium commercial vehicle (MCV) segments combined were down 11.1 per cent, compared with March 2011. Ford’s combined sales in these segments were down 20.3 per cent. Sales of Ford commercials in March were down from 12,622 to 10,377, compared with March 2011.

Ford medium commercials, headed by the industry-leading Ford Transit, accounted for 23.9 per cent of sales in that segment for the year to date. Ford’s share of LCV sales for the year to date was 47.4 per cent, up from 21.9 per cent in 2011.