With demand
increasing for its stylish new models, Ford of Europe's sales soared by an
impressive 93,500 units in 2007 to a record 1,833,600, a rise of 5.4 per
cent on the previous year. Market share improved to 8.9 per cent.
Ford of Europe sold 1,463,630 cars in 2007, an increase of 4.1 per cent
across its main 21 markets. Commercial vehicle sales leapt 10.9 per cent to
a record 369,985, beating the previous record of 333,570 set in 2006.
The Focus and Fiesta were the top-selling Ford models in Europe last
year, retailing a total of 496,600 and 378,220 units respectively. The
Transit continued to set a brisk pace in the medium commercial vehicle
market and sold a record 224,915. Not to be outdone, its smaller sibling,
the Transit Connect, also set a new record selling 109,900 vehicles.
"I am delighted with our performance in 2007," said Stephen Odell, vice
president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. "Including sales
from our European Direct Markets, we sold close to 1.9 million vehicles
last year. That's about 110,000 vehicles more than we sold in 2006. In 2006
we sold some 80,000 vehicles more than we did in 2005, so in the past two
years we have added some 200,000 sales to our bottom-line.
"Selling over 100,000 more vehicles was a spectacular performance.
Transit was up by 30,000 vehicles, Mondeo increased by 17,000 as we started
to get full production of that model, S-MAX was up by 33,000 and Galaxy by
more than 41 per cent to 10,000 units."
Around the markets, Ford of Europe sold more vehicles in Britain last
year where it retained market leadership, than in any other single European
market. Overall, UK sales rose 1.6 per cent to 444,390. The company there
has been car market leader for 31 consecutive years and commercial vehicle
market leader for 42 consecutive years. Sales in Germany totalled 235,050,
with Italy close behind with 232,925. Spain sold 175,675, with France
selling 133,600. In Russia, sales increased by more than 50 per cent, to
174,650.
"Our share in France was up to 5 per cent, which is a great recovery
for us," said Stephen Odell. "Products like the C-MAX did very well, as did
S-MAX and Galaxy. We also had a great year in Italy, selling 23,900
vehicles more than in prior year and increasing our share. We also did very
well in Spain, especially with Mondeo and Fiesta. Turkey sold over 100,000
units, despite a lower industry in the first eight months of the year.
"To achieve record sales in a highly competitive market is testament to
the strength of our product range," he added. "We have increased our sales
every year since 2002 and it is clear that the performance, styling and
quality of our cars and commercial vehicles are continuing to attract
customers to the Ford brand. With more new models being launched this year,
we are optimistic that we will maintain our sales momentum in 2008."
A strong performance in December contributed to Ford of Europe's 2007
sales record. In its main 21 markets, the company sold 152,680 cars and
commercial vehicles in the final month of last year. Top-selling Ford
models in December were the Focus (38,715), Fiesta (27,310) and Transit
(22,440).
Ford's sales data includes both passenger cars and commercial vehicles
from its 21 major European Sales Companies, including Russia and Turkey.
Market share excludes Russia.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford
brand vehicles in 47 individual markets, including Russia and Turkey. The
first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 - the same year Ford Motor
Company was founded. Ford of Europe now employs approximately 66,000
people. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford of Europe operations
include Ford Customer Service Division and 22 manufacturing facilities,
including joint ventures.
SOURCE Ford Motor Company
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