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Ford sales in Europe grew 12 percent in March and 11 percent in the
first quarter, marking the 10th straight month and fourth
successive quarter of year-over-year sales gains
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Ford market share at 8.9 percent in March and 8.0 percent for the
first quarter rose by 0.2 and 0.3 percentage points, respectively,
compared with the same periods last year
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Ford sales to higher quality sales channels – such as retail customers
and fleets – was higher than the industry average in March and
year-to-date
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Ford commercial vehicles sales rose 10 percent in the first quarter;
CV share at 10.4 percent, was up 0.2 percentage points and was the
highest quarterly figure since 1998
Company Website:
http://corporate.ford.com/
COLOGNE, Germany -- (Business Wire)
Ford is off to a strong sales start in Europe in 2014, posting
year-over-year sales improvements for the tenth straight month in March
and the fourth consecutive quarter.
While industry sales volumes grew by 10 percent in March and 8 percent
in the first quarter, Ford outpaced the overall market with 12 and 11
percent sales volumes increases, respectively*.
“Our first quarter sales results show that our plan to invest in product
and launch more new vehicles – 10 alone in 2014 – is beginning to have a
very positive impact with customers,” said Roelant de Waard, vice
president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “Just as
important as absolute sales growth, we are growing our business with
retail customers and desirable fleet customers.”
Ford sales volumes to European retail and fleet customers increased by
one percentage point to 73 percent of total sales in the first quarter*,
two percentage points above industry average. Likewise, Ford sales in
less profitable market segments – such as daily rentals and dealer
registrations – declined year-over-year to 27 percent in the first
quarter, down from 28 per cent a year ago.
Ford sales in the UK – Ford’s biggest European market by sales volume –
grew by 13 percent in March and 11 percent in the first quarter, making
Ford again the clear market leader. In Germany, Ford sales improved by
19 percent in March and 24 percent in the first quarter, while market
share was up 0.8 of a percentage point in March and 1.0 percentage point
year-to-date.
Ford’s commercial vehicle sales totalled about 50,000 in the first
quarter, up 10 percent. CV market share was 10.4 percent*, up 0.2
percentage points and the highest for Ford since 1998.
More than 326,000 vehicles were sold by Ford in its main 22 European
markets in the first quarter of the year. Fiesta and Focus were the No.
1 and No. 2 top-selling Ford vehicles for the first three months of the
year. Fiesta sales were up by 7 percent, and Ford recently announced it
had increased daily production of the car at its Cologne plant by 200
units to 1,850 units to cope with the increased demand.
The Ford Kuga was the third best-selling Ford vehicle in Europe, with
sales of 23,400 (main 22 European markets) up by 56 percent compared to
the first three months of last year.
* Effective January 2014, Ford of Europe reports its sales for the 20
European markets where it is represented through National Sales
Companies. Previously, Ford referenced 19 countries. Romania has been
added as the 20th market. Ford of Europe has also introduced
a market share for the total of the 50 European markets it operates in.
Ford Motor Company,a global automotive industry leader
based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across
six continents. With about 181,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide,
the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more
information about Ford and its products worldwide please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and
servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs
approximately 47,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and
approximately 67,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated
businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford
Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 22
manufacturing facilities (13 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture
facilities and nine unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first
Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor
Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
For news releases, related materials, photos and video, visit www.fordmedia.eu
or www.media.ford.com.
Follow www.twitter.com/FordEuor www.youtube.com/fordofeurope
Contacts:
Ford of Europe
John Gardiner, +49 (0) 221 901 9985
jgardin2@ford.com
Source: Ford Motor Company
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