Ford of Europe has boosted sales in its 51 markets 2.3% or 18,400 units year on year to 828,300 vehicles in the first five months of 2008.
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Ingvar Sviggum, the automaker’s sales head, said: “We are confident that we will continue to progress and sell more vehicles this year than we did in 2007, despite the challenging conditions in many markets.”
Ford finished May with a market share of 8.7% in the traditional Euro 19 countries, unchanged from a year ago, despite lower sales of 132,200 units, which declined from 139,100 units a year ago.
When sales in Russia, Turkey and the 30 European direct markets are added, Ford sales in May totaled 165,500 units, down slightly from 165,900.
In the first five months of this year, Ford sold 683,100 vehicles in the Euro 19 markets, for a market share of 8.7%. Sales in Russia, Turkey and direct markets added a further 145,200 units, taking the total to 828,300 units.
Ford’s success in Russia continued with sales rising by more than 36.6% to 18,600 vehicles in May.
The new Focus again was the top-selling model in May, selling 35,100 units across the Euro 19 markets, followed by the Fiesta, with 25,300 units. The Fiesta was the best-selling imported car in France and in Italy.
“We are seeing lower consumer confidence in some of our established markets because of the continued rise in fuel prices and overall economic uncertainty, but that is countered by buoyant economies in other regions, notably in Russia,” added Sviggum.
“In Russia, industry sales are up 362,000 units year-to-date, and Ford is in a very strong position to grow sales thanks to our modern St. Petersburg plant, where we will increase capacity from September on.”
