- Ford remained No.2 best-selling car brand in its traditional 19 European markets for the fifth consecutive year
- Ford sales increased 3 per cent in the UK market where it was No.1 in car sales for the 36th consecutive year, and commercial vehicle leader for the 47th successive year
- Russia is now Ford’s third-largest market in Europe after sales increased 11 per cent last year; Ford was the market leader in Turkey for the 11th consecutive year
- Ford sold just over 1.1 million vehicles in its traditional 19 European markets in 2012, and 1.4 million vehicles across its total 51 European region markets
- Strong momentum for new Ford vehicles, including the new B-MAX with more than 15,000 units sold since launch in October
- Ford continues its product offensive in 2013 with major product launches continuing, including new Fiesta, Fiesta ST, Kuga, Transit, Transit Connect, Tourneo Connect and EcoSport
Ford remained Europe’s No. 2 best-selling car brand for the fifth consecutive year in 2012, boosted by a strong performance in the UK and growth in Russia.
“While 2012 was a very challenging year for the entire industry, we’re pleased with customer reaction to our newest products and we’re poised to build momentum in 2013 with a huge wave of new vehicles coming to market,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Ford of Europe Marketing, Sales and Service.
In 2012, Ford sold more than 1.1 million vehicles in its traditional 19 European markets, including 60,000 in December, and more than 1.4 million vehicles across the full European region of 51 markets, including 100,000 in December. Ford’s market share in its traditional 19 markets was 7.9 per cent for the year, down 0.4 percentage points on 2011.
In the UK, Ford sales increased by 3 per cent to 347,000 units. With a total vehicle market share of 14.9 per cent, Ford completed 2012 as the UK’s car market leader for the 36th consecutive year and best-selling commercial vehicle brand for the 46th successive year. Fiesta remained the UK’s best-selling car for the fourth consecutive year.
In Germany, Ford’s second largest market by volume, full year share was 6.8 per cent, with a sales volume of 230,900 for the year. “We maintained a disciplined approach in 2012 amid some very deep discounting in the marketplace and we will continue to take a balanced approach in 2013,” de Waard said. “We will stay competitive and fight for share but also protect our brand image and residual values.”
Ford’s sales in Russia grew 10.8 per cent to 130,800 vehicles last year, making the country Ford’s third-largest market by volume in the European region. In Turkey, Ford retained its market leadership for the 11th consecutive year, while in Eastern Europe, Ford sales were up 2.5 per cent at 50,900 vehicles.
Growing new vehicle momentum
Ford’s new vehicles continue to develop strong momentum in the market, with sales of the new B-MAX surpassing 15,000. B-MAX was recently voted AUTOBEST 2013 by leading auto journalists from 15 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, and is also on the shortlist of the 2013 European Car of the Year.
The Fiesta remains Ford’s top-selling car with 302,000 sold in 2012. The new Fiesta, already on sale in markets such as the UK and Germany is now – like the B-MAX, Focus, and C-MAX – equipped with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, the International Engine of the Year 2012.
“With the new Fiesta, Fiesta ST, Kuga, Transit, Transit Connect, Tourneo Connect and EcoSport, and new technologies like MyKey and SYNC with Emergency Assistance, we’re in an unprecedented expansion of new vehicle and technology launches. We’re bringing 15 global vehicles to Europe within five years. We expect 2013 will be challenging for the entire European auto industry, but the vehicle and brand actions we are taking this year will help to strengthen our business,” de Waard concluded.
