Ford Maintains Market Leadership with Strong CV Sales and Launch of All-New Fiesta Models | Great Britain

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 5 September, 2017 – Ford total vehicle sales exceeded 59,000, as the UK market leader recorded strong CV sales and an acceleration of retail car sales as additional all-new Fiesta models are launched.

Highlights of the September sales figures issued today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) include:
September 2017 highlights:

Ford total vehicle sales 59,507
Ford total vehicle sales share 12.3 per cent, 3.5 percentage points ahead of nearest rival
Fiesta led retail sales, with Fiesta and Focus 3rd and 4th in total sales
Transit Custom is the UK’s fifth best-selling vehicle
Transit Custom led CV sales, with sales more than double those of nearest rival

Third quarter 2017 highlights:

Ford total vehicle sales 327,886
Ford maintained its retail car sales lead – 3.8 percentage points ahead if nearest rival
Ford CV sales extended further, up 3.9 per cent compared to the same period in 2016

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: "Ford sales benefited from our comprehensive scrappage scheme, with over 5,000 vehicles scrapped since launch last month. We’re seeing around 50 per cent of customers coming to us from other brands, with the new Fiesta being their most popular purchase.”

Launched earlier this year with Zetec and Titanium derivatives only, the new Fiesta will be joined this autumn by the sporty ST-Line and range-topping Vignale variants the keenly anticipated ST and the all-new Active crossover following next year.

According to the official SMMT figures, September car sales in the UK were down 9.3 per cent at 426,170 registrations, compared with September 2016. Ford sold 39,696 cars in September, leading by 3,364 sales over the nearest rival.

Ford remains the clear leader in retail car sales, which most accurately reflect the preferences of private buyers. At 10.3 per cent, Ford’s September retail car sales share remained comparable to the same period last year and is 2.5 percentage points ahead of its nearest rival.

The Ford Fiesta has been the UK best-seller for eight years and it is maintaining that position by a significant margin with 75,814 sales and a 3.6 per cent market share for the year-to-date, 0.8 percentage points of market share ahead of its nearest competitor. Fiesta also leads UK retail sales in September with 9,036 registrations, 1.6 percentage share points ahead of its nearest rival.

The strength and breadth of the Ford model range is demonstrated by Fiesta (1st), B-MAX (3rd), Focus (2nd), C-MAX (2nd), EcoSport (6th), Kuga (3rd), and Galaxy (1st) all featuring near, or at, the top of their segments in September. Kuga in particular outperformed in it segment, recording an increase of almost 50 per cent compared to September 2016.

UK light commercial vehicle sales in September were down 4.2 per cent at 57,368, compared with September 2016. Year to date Ford’s CV market share is 32.3 per cent, up from 30.8 per cent for the same period 2016.

Ford commercial vehicle sales are headed by the industry-leading Ford Transit Custom, with sales of 8,892 in September, and for the year-to-date sales were up from 39,480 to 40,760, up 3.2 per cent.

Ford leads the commercial vehicle retail and net fleet sales, with retail sales increasing 17.4 per cent in September, to 21.2 per cent compared to 2016.

Transit Connect, Transit Custom, Transit and Ranger are all first in their respective market segments

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 201,000 employees and 62 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.

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