Ford, which expects a US$2bn loss in Europe this year, expects regional sales will be at the low end of the company’s sales forecast during the first half of the year.

But, for now, the automaker is maintaining its 2013 European vehicle sales outlook of between 13m and 14m, Stephen Odell, head of European operations, told Reuters during a media roundtable at the Geneva show.

In January, Ford said it expects to lose $2bn in Europe in 2013 due to a punishing economic downturn in the region that has curtailed consumer spending and sales.