Ford strengthens UK market lead through first half 2012

Ford has extended its UK market leadership with increased car sales and share for the first six months of 2012, compared with the same period in 2011.

Ford car sales were up 3.6 per cent for the first half of 2012, compared with 2011, while the car market as a whole
was up 2.7 per cent, according to the official figures released from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The official figures released by the SMMT show that total car sales in June were up 3.5 per cent to 189,514 units, compared with June 2011. Ford car sales of 23,466 were down 4.1 per cent, from 24,461 in June 2011.  For the year to date (end June) total UK car sales were 1,057,680 up 2.7 per cent compared with 2011, while Ford car sales for this period in 2012 were 149,681, up 3.6 per cent compared with 2011.

Ford's strong performance in car sales through 2012 is underlined by the Ford Fiesta's clear No 1 position in the UK market in June and for the year to date.  Ford Fiesta sales for the year to date have increased from 51,643 to 59,570, compared with the same period in 2011.

This success has been backed up across the breadth of Ford's model range with the Ford C-Max, the Ford Mondeo and the Ford Galaxy all securing sales and share increases in June, while for the year to date Ford Focus, Ford Mondeo, Ford S-Max and Ford Galaxy have all recorded sales increases, compared with 2011.

Ford's combined sales in the UK light commercial vehicle and medium commercial vehicle segments were up 4.0 per cent in June, increasing to 6,362 from 6,118 in June 2011.

Ford medium commercials, headed by the industry-leading Ford Transit, accounted for 31.2 per cent of sales in that segment for the year to date, up from 27.9 per cent in 2011. Ford Transit's position as the UK's best-selling commercial vehicle remains unchallenged: Transit sales were up in June, increasing from 4,778 to 5,016, compared with June 2011.

"Competition is more intense than ever in the UK market so I am delighted that we have succeeded in increasing our car sales and share through the first six months of 2012," said Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain Managing Director.

"Our best-ever product range is a key contributor to our strengthened leadership position and with the new 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine in Focus and the new Focus ST now launched to considerable media and customer acclaim, we are keenly anticipating the new Ford B-Max and the new Ford Transit, due later this year."

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