Ford’s European Sales Volume and Market Share Rise in April; Ford Outpaces Industry Growth for Fifth Straight Month

Ford’s European sales rose 6.6 percent in April, marking the fifth straight month of year-over-year market share improvement and 11th straight month of sales improvement Ford total market share up by 0.2 of a percentage point to 7.9 percent Ford sales in healthier sales channels, such as retail and fleet, continue to be better than the industry average Ford Transit is Europe’s best-selling commercial vehicle in the combined one- and two-tonne market segment*

COLOGNE, Germany--May 14, 2014: Ford said its sales in Europe rose in April, marking the 11th straight month of year-over-year sales improvement and fifth successive month of market share gains.

“Vehicle sales in Western Europe are starting to improve modestly, and we have been consistently outpacing the industry thanks to a very fresh product line”

Overall, Ford sold 99,700 vehicles in April in its European 20** main markets, an increase of 6,200 compared with April 2013. Ford’s 6.6 per cent improvement outpaced total industry growth of 4.2 percent in Europe, and boosted Ford’s market share up by 0.2 of a percentage point to 7.9 per cent.

“Vehicle sales in Western Europe are starting to improve modestly, and we have been consistently outpacing the industry thanks to a very fresh product line,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “At the same time, we continue to focus on sales to retail and fleet customer, which are healthiest for our brand and resale values.”

The Fiesta remained Ford’s best-selling car in April with 29,000 registrations – its best April sales performance since 2010. The Ford Ranger – International Pickup of the Year – posted its best-ever April sales since the Ranger was introduced in Europe in 1999.

Ford’s commercial vehicle sales continue to improve – up 7 percent year-to-date. Ford’s commercial vehicle market share in Europe – 10.2 percent through April – is at its highest level since 1998. Transit is now the No.1 best-seller in the combined one- and two-tonne commercial vehicle segment in Europe.*

Ford sales in the UK – its largest European market by sales volume – rose 11.6 percent in April, further extending its lead in the market. Sales in Germany, Ford’s second-largest European market, were equal to last year while the overall industry down for the month. Year-to-date, Ford sales volume in Germany is up 16 percent, outpacing industry growth of 3.2 percent.

* Data available for January to March 2014

** Effective January 2014, Ford of Europe reports its sales for the 20 European main 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 also has introduced a market share for the total of the 50 European markets within which it operates.