The FINANCIAL — Growing demand for Ford’s passenger cars and SUVs as well as continued strong sales of commercial vehicles drove Ford total vehicle sales in Europe for the first 11 months of the year to their highest level since 2009.
Ford total vehicle sales are up 6 percent to 1,248,800 in its 20 traditional European markets for November year to date. Ford’s November sales in the same markets accounted for 104,700 vehicles, up 4 percent compared with the same period last year, according to Ford.
Ford market share in the first 11 months was marginally down 0.1 percentage point at 7.9 percent, while market share for November was down 0.2 percentage points at 7.7 percent in the Europe 20 markets.
Across all of Ford’s 50 markets in Europe, sales volume was up 5 percent at 1,414,800 year to date, and up at 125,300 vehicles in November. Ford market share in these markets was flat in the first 11 months at 7.7 percent, and down marginally at 7.5 percent in November.
“November was another strong month for Ford as we continued making progress towards increasing high-revenue sales, such as commercial vehicles, SUVs, performance cars and higher-spec vehicles,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “Our strategy helps build a sustainable business, strengthen the Ford brand and improve residual values.”
Passenger cars
Ford passenger car sales grew 2.7 percent to 948,900 year to date through November, marking their best first 11 months of the year since 2011. Ford has sold 274,300 Fiesta cars in Europe this year through November, meaning customers buy a new Fiesta every two minutes on average. That popularity is poised to continue with the next-generation Fiesta – the world’s most technologically advanced small car – offering an expanded range with upscale Vignale, sporty ST-Line, stylish Titanium and Active crossover.
Commercial vehicles
Ford was Europe’s No. 1 commercial vehicle brand yet again in November and remained the market leader year to date in its European 20 markets. Sales rose by 17 percent with 300,000 commercial vehicles sold in the first 11 months, setting a record for Ford year-to-date CV sales. Commercial vehicle sales in November were up 13 percent at 28,000 units sold. Market share grew 0.2 percentage points to 13.2 percent in November – setting a record as Ford’s best CV November market share – and 0.6 percentage points to 13.3 percent year to date.
Ranger enjoyed its best year-to-date and November sales since launch, and remains Europe’s No.1 top-selling pickup as of end of October, according to the most recent industry data. So far this year, 35,300 Rangers have been sold, and year-to-date October share of its segment is 26.8 percent. The total Transit family also set records, with 247,800 sold through November year to date and 22,700 in November.
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs)
Ford sold 173,300 SUVs in the first 11 months of 2016 – a 35 percent improvement compared with the same period last year. EcoSport compact SUV sales were up nearly 50 percent in the first 11 months with more than 53,400 sold. Ford Kuga medium SUV sales year to date were up 21 percent with 112,200 units sold, making it the best year-to-date Kuga sales since launch.
Performance cars
Combined sales of Ford’s performance line-up – Fiesta ST, Focus ST, Focus ST diesel, Focus RS and Mustang – were up 67 percent in the first 11 months at 40,800 units sold. In November, performance model sales were up 18 percent at 3,000 vehicles.
High-specification model sales
Sales of higher-specification Ford models continue to be strong in the first 11 months of the year. Ford’s high series models – Titanium specification models, the Vignale family, Fiesta ST, Focus ST petrol and diesel, and ST-Line derivatives – accounted for nearly 60 percent of the sales year to date, up 1.3 percentage points. Titanium models alone accounted for 38.9 percent of car sales year to date, up 1.5 percentage points versus same period last year.
