BRENTWOOD, Essex, 5 October, 2016 – Ford was the UK market leader in total vehicle, car and commercial vehicle (CV) sales in September. Ford achieved its highest September CV volume on record with over 20,000 registrations.
According to the official September sales figures from the Society of Manufactures and Traders (SMMT):
Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: "Vehicle sales are boosted in September due to the number plate change, and in combination with March sales account for a third of the UK annual total. Ford’s best-ever car and CV ranges have contributed to Ford sales for March and September combined exceeding 150,000.
“Ford’s long-standing UK market leadership – 39 years for cars, 50 years for CVs – is testament to the exciting products and industry-leading technologies we continue to bring to the market. The Mustang and Focus RS continue to win plaudits, as do our new Mondeo, Fiesta and Focus ST-Line derivative series which will be joined soon by the Kuga ST-Line. “
The official figures released by the SMMT today show that total car sales in September were up 1.6 per cent to 469,696 units, compared with September 2015. Ford car sales were 49,078, 7,381 registrations ahead of its nearest rival. For the year to date (end September) total UK car sales were 2,150,495, up 2.6 per cent compared with the same period in 2015. Ford car sales for this period were 254,220, 51,264 registrations ahead of its nearest rival.
Ford is also the clear leader in retail car sales, which most accurately reflect the preferences of private buyers. For September, Ford’s retail car sales share was 10.7 per cent, 3.5 percentage points ahead of its nearest rival, and for the year to date, Ford’s retail car sales share was 12.1 per cent, a lead of 4.5 percentage points.
The Ford Fiesta is in its eighth year as the UK’s best-selling car and in September it recorded 19,769 registrations, 5,199 sales and 1.1 percentage points of share ahead of its nearest rival. With total registrations of 96,139 for the year to date, the Ford Fiesta is the UK top seller by a significant margin – 31,214 sales and 1.5 percentage points of market share ahead of its nearest competitor.
Ford’s broad customer appeal across its car range is demonstrated by Fiesta, Focus, C-MAX, Kuga and Galaxy all occupying top three places in their respective market segments. Ford Kuga sales are at the highest level since it was launched with September registrations of 5,904, up 16.1 per cent, compared with September 2015, and sales for the year to date of 29,215, up 14.1 per cent, compared with the same period in 2015.
UK commercial vehicle sales in September were up 1.9 per cent at 59,857, compared with September 2015. At 19,434, total sales of Ford CVs were at the highest level ever recorded for a September sales month, and the second highest monthly record of all time, exceeded only by the 20,735 sales recorded in March this year. Ford CV sales for the month and for the year to date are more than double those of its nearest rival.
For the year to date total UK CV sales were up 2.7 per cent at 291,714, compared with the same period in 2015. Total sales of Ford CVs for the year to date were up 19.2 per cent at 90,141 compared with 2015.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford aggressively is pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
