Ford sales volume in the first month of 2010 increased by 4.2 percent in its main 19 European markets. Total vehicle sales were 105,300, vs. 101,000 in January a year ago.
"January marked the eighth consecutive month of sales volume growth for Ford," said Ingvar Sviggum, vice president for marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe. "While our market share was down on January 2009, this was partly the result of distortions in the market. Our fundamental sales story remains strong. We're pleased to be maintaining our positive sales volume momentum, and also welcome that the quality of our sales remained strong with 54 percent of our new cars sold to retail customers. We have to remember though that the market outlook for 2010 is still uncertain, especially with the run-out of some scrappage schemes in the near future. Our industry forecast is that the market will be down from the 15.9 million we saw last year."
Ford increased its share over January 2009 in Denmark, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Poland, and was the best-selling brand in the United States, Ireland, Hungary and Turkey. Fiesta monthly sales were the highest in January since 1998, up by more than 34 percent on 2009, making the Fiesta Europe's No.1 small car and second best-selling car overall in January. Ka also had a great month, with sales increasing by 57 percent year-on-year.
Sviggum said: "We are confident that as the year progresses Ford will not only maintain but boost its strong momentum in the European market. We are revealing 11 new or significantly freshened models and derivatives in Europe this year, plus a host of new advanced technologies."