Ford Extends Market Lead In Important September Sales Month

BRENTWOOD, UNITED KINGDOM – Oct 7, 2013: Market leader Ford has extended the sales gap over its nearest rival during the bumper September sales month, and through 2013.

According to the official figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT):

Ford extends car sales lead over nearest rival by 15.1 per cent in September and by 8.6 per cent for the year to date

Ford car sales up in September and for the year to date, compared with 2012

Ford Fiesta is the UK best seller in September and for the year to date

Ford retail car sales and share up in September and for the year to date

Ford Transit and Ford commercial vehicles (CVs) in 48th consecutive year of market leadership

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: "Industry sales have grown steadily in the UK this year and as Ford sales have increased so has our sales lead over our nearest rival. Ford’s market leadership is founded on our best-ever vehicle range supported by the expertise of Ford Credit and our outstanding UK dealer network. The strength of our appeal to private customers, who have driven up our share of more profitable retail sales, is testimony to the effectiveness of this combination.”

The official figures released by the SMMT show that total car sales in September, when registrations are boosted by the plate change, were up 12.1 per cent to 403,136 units, compared with September 2012. For the year to date (end September) total UK car sales were 1,794,924 – up 10.8 per cent compared with 2012.

Ford car sales in September were 51,084, up from 47,370 in September 2012. For the year to date Ford car sales were 249,017, up from 224,369 for the same period in 2012. Ford total vehicle sales, which include CVs, were 61,651 up from 57,818 in September 2012.

Ford’s share of retail car sales in September was up 0.1 of a percentage point at 12.6 per cent, compared with September 2012, and for the year to date retail share was up 1.0 percentage points at 13.3 per cent, compared with the same period in 2012.

Ford Fiesta was the UK best-seller in September with increased sales, compared with September 2012. Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus are the number one and two best-sellers for the year to date – both models have increased sales and share, compared with the same period in 2012.

Sales success across the Ford car range in 2013 has seen the Ford Ka, Fiesta, B-MAX, Focus, C-MAX and Kuga all increase sales and share for the year to date, compared with the same period in 2012.

UK Commercial Vehicle sales in September were up 12.4 per cent, compared with September 2012, and for the year to date were up 8.1 per cent. Total sales of Ford CVs for the year to date were up from 52,989 to 55,589.

Ford’s ongoing CV market leadership remains unchallenged with a 21.2 per cent share of the total CV market in September and a 21.9 per cent share for the year to date. This compares with 13.4 and 12.3 per cent, respectively, for the nearest rivals.

Ford Transit is in its 48th consecutive year as the UK’s best-selling commercial vehicle. Transit holds 14.7 per cent of the CV market for the year to date compared with 5.7 per cent for its nearest challenger. In September, Transit accounted for 14.0 per cent of the total CV market and sales of the recently launched Transit Custom have already exceeded 7,000, to add to that share.