Growing demand for Ford’s performance cars and SUV vehicles as well as continued strong sales of commercial vehicles drove Ford of Europe’s total vehicle sales year-to-date up 6.0 percent at 1,144,200 in its 20 traditional European markets.

Hot hatches – sporty small cars with powerful engines – were once the preserve of “petrol head” car fans, but are fast becoming a mainstream choice for car-buyers who are a far cry from the stereotypical “boy racer”, Ford data shows.

The new Ford Kuga delivers an even more technologically advanced, refined and affordable sports utility vehicle (SUV), making driving simpler, safer and more enjoyable for growing numbers of SUV customers in Europe.

It may not be the first country that first comes to mind for sports cars, but drivers in Belgium have fallen head over heels for the new Ford Mustang. Of more than 21,000 new Mustangs that Ford has now sold across Europe, 1,600 went to Belgian enthusiasts. That’s one for every 4,693 of the country’s 7,659,000 drivers – a far higher proportion than anywhere else in Europe

Sales of Ford performance cars and SUVs are at their highest levels ever in the first nine months of 2016.

The Ford Fiesta ST compact performance hatchback is for the first time available to order in Europe in 5-door bodystyle alongside the 3 door model.

Sales of Ford’s performance cars in Europe have almost doubled so far in 2016, with close to 31,000 sold in the region August year-to-date – 98 per cent up on 2015.

Sales of Ford vehicles in August reached their highest level since 2007 in its 20 traditional European markets with 74,800 vehicles sold, up 5,900 units from August 2015. Ford’s year-to-date sales in the same markets accounted for 898,000 vehicles, up 59,600 compared with the same period last year.

Ford posted its best July total vehicle sales since 2009, best July passenger car sales since 2011 and best commercial vehicle sales since 1993 in its 20 traditional European markets.

Ford of Europe today announced that a new Kuga ST-Line version of the popular mid-size sports utility vehicle (SUV) will go on sale later this year, offering sporty styling inspired by Ford Performance models alongside powerful and efficient EcoBoost petrol and TDCi diesel engines, and sports-tuned driving dynamics.