JANUARY UK SALES - FORD - The Blue Oval continues to dominate UK sales for the 7th Decade running

Ford was the clear leader in total vehicle, car and CV sales in January as it commenced its 39th consecutive year of UK car sales leadership and is on track to complete 50 consecutive years of UK commercial vehicle (CV) sales leadership.

According to the official sales figures issued today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT):

• Ford leads UK overall, car and CV sales in January.
• Fiesta leads sales in its seventh successive year as the UK best seller.
• Fiesta sales exceed the total sales of all but five rival car makers.
• Ford CV sales and share up in January.
• Transit nameplate sales would place it third in total vehicle sales.

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said:  "Ford’s strong sales start to 2015 builds on the momentum sustained through 2014 and is a direct result of the continued investment in exciting products and industry-leading technologies.

“Following the complete re-vamp of our CV range last year, we will renew around 60 per cent of our passenger cars this year, including the new Focus ST, C-MAX, S-MAX, Mustang and Vignale models. The recently-announced Ford GT and Focus RS will be our future technological and performance flagships.”

According to the official SMMT figures, January car sales in the UK were up 6.7 per cent at 164,856 registrations, compared with January 2014.  Ford sold 21,480 cars, 4,545 registrations ahead of its nearest rival.

Ford Fiesta’s January registrations of 8,674 made it the clear UK best-seller and this sales total would place it seventh in the list of top-selling car manufacturers, meaning that Fiesta on its own outsells the car ranges of all but five of Ford’s rival car makers.

Ford’s broad customer appeal across its car range is demonstrated by Fiesta, B-MAX, Focus, C-MAX, Kuga and Galaxy all occupying top three places in their respective market segments.

UK commercial vehicle sales in January were up 23.4 per cent at 24,646, compared with January 2014.  Total sales of Ford CVs were up 27.9 per cent at 6,481, compared with January 2014.  Ford light commercials sales in January were up from 604 to 1,740 registrations, compared with January 2014, and its LCV market share increased from 12.3 to 25.5 per cent. 

Ford Transit has led the UK CV sector from its launch in 1965 and the full availability of Ford’s extended CV family has helped deliver these significant Ford light commercial sales and share increases.

However, to underline that Ford’s CV models are a success across the whole range, it should be noted that Fiesta Van, Transit Courier, Transit Connect, Transit Custom, Transit and Ranger are all placed in the top three in their respective market segments.

JANUARY USA SALES - FORD - U.S. Sales Up 15 Percent in January; Best U.S. January Since 2004

• Ford Motor Company U.S. sales for January increase 15 percent, for a total of 178,351 vehicles sold; retail sales performance for January is best since 2004 
• F-Series, America’s best-selling truck for the 38th straight year, posts best January sales performance since 2004; Transit Connect reports another record month, driving best January van sales since 2001 
• Escape delivers its best-ever January sales performance; Explorer sales best since 2005 
• Mustang has best January performance since 2007 
• Lincoln has best January sales results in five years 

Ford Motor Company posted a 15 percent sales increase in the U.S. in January, with sales of 178,351 vehicles. Retail sales of 128,666 vehicles marked a 13 percent increase, providing the best retail January results since 2004. Retail passenger car sales were up 6 percent, utilities saw a 10 percent increase, and trucks gained 23 percent. 

“Customer demand is strong for our newest vehicles, driving retail sales gains across our lineup in January,” said Erich Merkle, U.S. sales analyst. “Momentum is especially strong for our F-Series pickup, with the all-new F-150 the hottest product on our dealer lots in January.” 

F-Series, America’s best-selling truck for the 38th straight year, posted sales gains of 17 percent in January, with 54,370 trucks sold last month. This was F-Series’ best January sales volume since 2004 – an all-time annual record sales year for F-Series. Part of F-Series’ strength is the all-new F-150. It is the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever, with best-in-class payload, towing and gasoline fuel economy and recently named 2015 North American Truck of the Year. 

It is averaging just 12 days on dealer lots. High-end Platinum and King Ranch F-150 are turning even faster, averaging just 9 and 10 days on dealer lots, respectively. Transit Connect sales also increased 72 percent last month, for record January sales with 3,689 vehicles. Combined, Ford sales of Transit, E-Series, and Transit 

Escape sales of 20,054 vehicles increased 3 percent last month versus a year ago, for the utility’s best-ever January. Explorer sales of 14,995 vehicles were up 28 percent, marking its best January sales since 2005. Mustang sales more than doubled last month with sales of 8,694 vehicles. This represents a 124 percent increase versus last year and marks Mustang’s best January sales since 2007. 

Lincoln sales increased 11 percent last month versus January 2014, with 6,619 vehicles sold, providing Lincoln with its best January results in five years. MKC continues to build Lincoln momentum, along with Navigator, which realized a 144 percent sales increase for the month.