Ford remains most popular vehicle brand in bumper sales months

Ford has added the key September registration month to its March sales result to outperform the industry in each of the twice-yearly number plate change months that dominate UK vehicle registrations.

Over 70,800 "57"-plated Ford cars and commercial vehicles were collected from dealerships last month – an increase of almost 700 compared with September 2006. March and September together account for around one third of total UK annual vehicle registrations.

Ford has grown its market penetration in the UK in recent years with successful new models that have enabled the company to increase its profitable share of the retail market and to improve residual values.

The 2007 Ford S-MAX, for example, has recorded 9,620 sales so far in 2007, 40 per cent of which are retail and comprise a majority of customers new to Ford. CAP determined that a "56" plate Ford S-MAX 1.8 TDCi will retain a remarkable 81.6 per cent of its new value after one year and 12,000 miles, according to data from this leading independent residual value expert.

The Ford Galaxy and the Ford C-MAX are also demonstrating the growing demand for Ford's latest models, while the all-new Ford Mondeo already has almost 13,000 sales and a full order book to its credit.

This outstanding sales figure for a freshly launched car has been achieved thanks to retail and high value fleet business, rather than supplying Mondeo to vehicle rental companies and other short-cycle businesses.

Mondeo sales for September alone were around 7,500, with retail sales (to private buyers) accounting for 35 per cent of registrations compared with 18 per cent in September 2006 for the prior model.

Ford Focus continues as the top-selling model in the UK, with 95,500 registered so far this year and 16,500 sales in September. A new Focus range due in early 2008 will accelerate Ford's established strategy of profitable, retail-led growth and improved residual values.

Ford commercial vehicles have been at the core of this strategy, recording the best sales results for six years.

Performing at their strongest since 2001, Ford commercial vehicles include the iconic Southampton-built Transit – International Van of the Year 2007. In the first nine months of this year over 73,200 CV buyers have chosen new Ford Transit, Transit Connect, Fiesta Van and Ranger pick-up models.

In September this sales record was underlined with total commercial vehicle sales of more than 12,800, most of these accounted for by the Southampton-built Ford Transit. Ford's commercial vehicle market share through 2007 is 24.6 per cent, almost a percentage point ahead of last year.

Ford also continues as the UK's favourite car brand with a total of 283,500 sales to the end of September, up 5,335 from last year and accounting for 14.6 per cent of the market. Ford's total vehicle sales of over 356,700 in 2007 equate to 15.9 per cent of the market, beating 2006 year-to-date sales.

Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and MD, said: "Our sales performance in 2007 proves the strong consumer appeal of Ford's model line-up, as well as the hard work and commitment of our dealer network. Especially pleasing is the growth in our retail market share, which confirms that our models are winning over more customers from rival brands while securing the loyalty of existing customers."