Stronger retail sales keep Ford motoring

The Ford Fiesta is the UK’s best selling car so far this year.

NEW figures from the SMMT have revealed that new car registrations fell by less than expected in November.
The SMMT’s Chief Executive, Paul Everitt, said demand from the fleet sector helped to offset the market rebalancing following the end of the Scrappage Scheme.
He said: “Registrations are expected to fall next month, but demand may benefit from motorists looking to avoid the January VAT rise. This factor, coupled with the strength of the first half of 2010, means year-end volumes are expected to lift to over 2.03-million units, 2% up from last year. Next year will continue to be challenging as consumer spending tightens and government’s austerity measures take effect.”

Ford is one manufacturer which is pleased with its sales figures, claiming to have strengthened its share of UK car retail sales in November and retained its market leadership.
Ford’s car retail share of 11.3 per cent in November was up 0.7 percentage points compared with November 2009. The figures show that Ford has sold the most cars so far this year, was overall car sales leader in November and for the year to date, with 19,641 and 266,411 registrations respectively.  Ford’s overall share of car sales was 14.0 per cent for the month and for the year to date.
Nigel Sharp, managing director Ford of Britain, said: “Our clear UK market leadership is being maintained while at the same time we are strengthening our share of retail sales.  The all-new Ford C-MAX, the seven-seat Grand C-MAX and revised versions of the Ford S-MAX, the Ford Galaxy and the Ford Mondeo are significant introductions to our best-ever car range this year.”
Jon Wellsman, sales director Ford of Britain, said: “Ford Fiesta was again the UK best seller in November and for the year to date with Ford Focus No. 2 in sales in November and No. 3 for the year to date.  The new Ford S-MAX is also performing strongly.
“In its 45^th year of UK commercial vehicle (CV) sales leadership, Ford increased sales volume and share in November and for the year to date, compared with the same periods in 2009.  Ford CV sales in November of 5,304 were up from 3,959 in November 2009 and for the year to date sales were 57,639 up from 51,491 for the same period in 2009.  Ford CV share was 22.9 per cent in November up from 22.4 per cent in November 2009.
“Each model in Ford’s commercial vehicle range increased its sales volume and share in November, compared with the same month in 2009.  This was the case for the Ford Fiesta Van, the Ford Ranger, the Ford Transit Connect and the best-selling Ford Transit.”
Ford Transit sales were up from 3,029 in November 2009 to 3,837 last month and share increased from 22.1 per cent in November 2009 to 22.5 per cent last month.  Ford Transit sales for the year to date also increased from 33,941 to 42,682, compared with the same period in 2009.