Ford Sees Strong Sales in UK and Russia in May; Overall Sales Declined as Market in Europe Remains Weak

COLOGNE, GERMANY – June 15, 2012: Ford’s May vehicle sales in the UK – Ford’s largest European market – increased by 11.7 per cent to 30,300 vehicles and its market share rose 0.5 percentage points to 16.1 per cent.

In Russia, Ford sales grew by 11.1 per cent in May and 24.5 per cent year-to-date, with the company’s share rising by 0.3 percentage points to 4.3 per cent for the first five months this year. Russia was Ford’s fifth-largest sales market by volume in May and May year-to-date.

Ford’s market share in May in its traditional 19 Western European markets decreased by 0.2 percentage points to 8.1 per cent year over year on total sales of 102,100 vehicles. Year-to-date, Ford’s market share is 8.2 per cent in the region, down 0.1 percentage points compared with the first five months of 2011.

Ford strengthened its position as the No. 2 best-selling European auto brand both in May and year-to-date for both total vehicles and passenger cars.

“May sales confirm that the market remains weak in Europe and that this will be a challenging period for the industry for some time to come,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “It is more important than ever to offer customers a strong, exciting product portfolio, which is why we are fortunate to be launching acclaimed vehicles such as the Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost, Focus ST and the all-new Ford B-MAX multi-activity vehicle.”

In its total 51 European markets, Ford sold 130,000 vehicles in May, 9.3 per cent or 13,500 units lower compared with May 2011. In the first five months of the year, Ford sales in these markets totaled 630,500 vehicles, a reduction of 7.6 per cent on the same period last year.

In Eastern Europe, Ford’s sales were 4,200 units in May and 20,600 year-to-date, up 7.3 and 12.8 per cent on the same periods 2011, respectively.

Ford increased its share in Turkey by 1.2 percentage points to 16.4 per cent in May, making Turkey the company’s third-largest European market by volume behind the UK and Germany, and ahead of Italy and Russia. In France, Ford’s fourth-largest market year-to-date, Ford increased its share by 0.2 percentage points to 5.3 per cent in May.

Ford’s sales in Germany were 21,500 in May and 103,600 year-to-date, a reduction of 2,500 and 4,400 units versus last year. Share was 6.8 per cent in May, down from 7.1 per cent in May last year. Year-to-date, Ford’s share in Germany was 7.1 per cent, 0.3 percentage points lower than in the same period in 2011.

Ford retained market leadership in the UK, Turkey and Hungary in both May and for the year. The Ford S-MAX had its best May sales volume and share since 2008; similarly, the Ford Galaxy saw its highest May sales volume since 2008 and its best May share since 2005. Ford’s commercial vehicles ended the month with a share of 9.2 per cent, the best share for the month of May since 2008.