Ford's retail sales strong through April 2008

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that Ford's total vehicle sales in April were up by 242 units for the month compared with 2007, although, in a stronger April market, share dipped 0.5 per cent to 15.5 per cent.

Within that, Ford's total UK vehicle retail sales to the end of April, compared with the same period in 2007, are ahead by 5,107 at 63,051 and retail share is up 1.2 per cent at 12.9 per cent.

"The increase in our retail share is particularly pleasing and reflects the appeal of our latest models, including the new Focus and Mondeo," said Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain Chairman and Managing Director. "We have made a strategic decision to limit even more severely our short-cycle business, and are focusing instead on strengthening our retail business based on the class-leading new products we have."

Thus, compared with 2007, there is a reduction of 1,469 in total UK vehicle sales to 163,754 and a 0.3 per cent reduction in total vehicle share to 16.4 per cent.

Ford car sales to the end of April 2008 follow a similar trend year on year with retail sales growing by 3,415 to 57,687, reflecting a 1.0 per cent increased share of 13.2 per cent. Compared with 2007, total car sales are down by 2,890 at 130,120 with overall share reduced by 0.4 per cent to 15.1 per cent – further evidence of the re-balancing taking place between short cycle and retail business.

In March, Ford hit a record number of commercial vehicle sales and this has helped establish a strong position for the year to date. Total commercial vehicle sales are up for the year to the end of April at 33,634, an increase of 1,421 compared with 2007, while share is reduced by 0.6 per cent at 24.5 per cent.

Ford remains particularly strong in medium commercials where April sales grew by 659, compared with 2007, to 5,531, resulting in a share of 26.2 per cent - up a full 3.0 per cent for the month.

To the end of April 2008, Ford's medium commercial sales are up by 1,750, compared with 2007, to a total of 27,961, representing an increase in medium CV share of 1.4 per cent to 29.7 per cent.

The launch of Ford's new crossover, the Kuga, will strengthen further the retail sales appeal of the blue oval, which has seen popularity rise by over six per cent with private car buyers. The Ford Kuga goes on sale next month and benefits from the lowest CO2 emissions in the expanding compact 4x4 segment.

Sales of Ford's low CO2 vehicles are also growing. In April the increase in registrations of sub-120g CO2/km vehicles compared with April 2007 was 1,057. The segment leading Ford Focus diesel accounted for the most sub-120 g registrations at 1,796, while total Ford Focus diesel sales in April were 3,744. So far this year (to the end of April) sub-120g Ford registrations have increased by 2,798, compared with the same period last year.

Roelant de Waard, said: "Our successful series of new model launches is continuing with Ford Kuga which, along with our other low carbon vehicles, delivers style with a green conscience."