Ford new vehicle sales got off to a flying start in its two largest European markets – UK and Germany – in January.

Ford has accelerated into 2014, beating overall market growth and increasing sales and shares of its cars and commercial vehicles (CVs), compared with January 2013.

Ford Motor Company’s increased commercial vehicle sales in 2013 – driven by all-new products – drove the company to its highest share of the CV market since 2007.

Ford has appointed Charlotte Ward as chief product press officer with key responsibility for Ford’s industry-leading small cars, including the UK’s most popular car, the Fiesta and the new EcoSport compact SUV.