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.

22.2% of all cars sold in the UK last year were White, the biggest proportion since records began.

• White is now the UK’s favourite new car colour after a surge in popularity in recent years.
• Almost a quarter of new cars registered in 2014 were white, the highest proportion since records began and up from less than 1% a decade ago.

Figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that white was the most popular colour for new cars registered in the UK in 2014 for the second year running. Of the 2,476,435 new cars registered in 2014, 22.2% were white – representing the highest proportion of white cars registered in any year since records began in 1996.

The colour’s record-breaking popularity follows a strong upturn in the uptake of white cars, over the past decade. In 2010, white cars accounted for just under 10% of new car registrations, making it the sixth most popular car colour, with black and silver cars the best-selling. In 2005, less than 1% of the UK’s new car buyers chose white.

In 2014, black cars took second place followed by grey, taking 19% and 14% of the market respectively. Silver – the second most popular colour in 2010 with almost a quarter of registrations – has now slipped to sixth place, accounting for 13% of the total new car market.

Colour of new cars registered 2014 vs 2010

All white now

White became the UK’s most popular choice in 2013, but for many years it was one of the least-favoured choices of car colour.

Demand for white cars saw exponential growth from 2008 to 2012, with the number of units registered growing from 1.1% in 2007 to 20.9% in 2012.

Best-selling white cars by year

Year	Make	Model	Registrations
1996	Citroën	Xantia	2,489
2000	Vauxhall	Astra	4,775
2005	MINI	MINI	3,827
2010	Fiat	500	13,049
2014	Ford	Fiesta	25,845

BusinessCar Awards Ford's Fiesta & S-Max two awards, Best MPV & Best Supermini 2015.

Two popular Ford models have been honoured in this year’s BusinessCar Awards – for the eighth consecutive year for the S-MAX.

The stylish and sporty Ford S-MAX tightened its grip on the award for Best Multi-Purpose Vehicle – held since 2008.  Ford Fiesta, the UK’s top-selling car, took BusinessCar’s Supermini of the Year prize.

The only awards decided by fleet managers themselves, the BusinessCar honours are highly prized within the industry and underline Ford’s popularity among fleets.

Ford S-MAX – due to be renewed this Summer – has enjoyed a remarkable run of success both in the annual BusinessCar Awards and combined fleet and retail market, reaching over 82,000 UK registrations since its 2006 debut.

Paul Barker, BusinessCar editor, said:  “Ford’s S-MAX has been a class apart since launch, bringing people-carrying practicality without boxy people-carrying looks. Though this generation is soon to be replaced by an even classier new model, it is going out with a bang and still looks great compared to rivals.”

The Ford Fiesta earned its Best Supermini honour because it is “high on quality as well as quantity”.  Paul Barker added:  “Driving enjoyment, efficiency, good running costs and clever technology all combine to make it a popular choice. Our readers – the people choosing these models for their business – have picked the Fiesta as their favourite mainstream supermini, and that’s testament to the car’s all-round ability.”

Incoming new Ford of Britain fleet director Nick Themistocleous, said:  “The seven-seat coupé that is the Ford S-MAX deserves its superb run of success in the BusinessCar Awards and its 2015 replacement will enjoy an equally positive response from readers.  Ford Fiesta adds another significant accolade to its vast collection of honours.”

JATO announces winner and losers for 2014, the usual suspects win again.

• European new car sales grew 5.0% in December compared with the same month last year
• Volkswagen remains the dominant brand by volume, 67% ahead of its closest competitor
• Renault and Dacia gain most sales during the year

According to the latest new car sales analysis from JATO Dynamics, the world’s leading provider of automotive intelligence, annual new car sales in Europe increased by 5.3% in 2014, with monthly salesgrowth throughout the year compared to 2013. December sales were 5.0% higher than a year earlier,suggesting the trend remains positive.

JATO’s headline market analysis:

• Volkswagen’s Golf consolidated its lead in the new car market, with sales up 11.1% for the year
• Ford’s Fiesta took second place in overall sales for the year, while Renault’s Clio claimed second place inDecember
• Volkswagen, Ford and Opel/Vauxhall were the best-selling brands for the year, while Renault achievedsecond place in December

The new car market ended 2014 at almost 13 million units, with sales 5.3% higher than in 2013. December sales totalled almost one million units, 5.0% higher than a year earlier. Of the 29 markets analysed, 24 recorded volumes higher in 2014 than in 2013. Portugal and Ireland recorded the greatest percentage increases, while the greatest unit growth occurred in Great Britain and Spain. 

The remaining Big 5 markets of France, Germany and Italy also recorded increased sales for the full year, although France grew only 0.3% and its December volumes fell below those of a year earlier.

European Monthly Sales Volumes Year-on-Year Comparison

 

All of the top 10 brands recorded greater volumes in 2014 than in 2013. Volkswagen remains the dominant brand by volume, recording just over 1.6 million units for the year and 67% ahead of second placed Ford, despite a small loss of market share. 

Opel/Vauxhall, Peugeot and Renault complete the top 5 for the year. Renault claimed second place in December, and recorded the greatest annual increase in unit sales for the year of all brands thanks to the success of its Captur small crossover and fourth generation Clio small car.

Outside the top 10, Dacia came second only to sister brand Renault for increased sales, recording 72,057 (24.6%) more units sold than in 2013.

Mitsubishi increased its annual volume by 24.4%, with the Space Start/Mirage, ASX and Outlander all contributing. Jeep saw its volume increase by 67.9% due to new product offerings of the Cherokee and Renegade. 

Tesla sales grew by 121.2% as the number of outlets and market acceptance of its all-electric Model S increased. Maserati recorded growth of 267.7% as the new Ghibli and latest Quattroporte models attracted new customers to the brand, helped significantly by the availability of the brand’s first diesel engine. MG’s new MG3 model widened the brand’s appeal, leading to 357.6% more sales.

Top 10 Brands – FY 2014

Make	Yr_14	Yr_13	% change Yr
VOLKSWAGEN	1,612,895	1,552,376	+3.9%
FORD	961,844	922,011	+4.3%
OPEL/VAUXHALL	885,714	824,609	+7.4%
RENAULT	875,476	802,022	+9.2%
PEUGEOT	785,235	740,755	+6.0%
AUDI	724,388	694,165	+4.4%
BMW	673,655	639,798	+5.3%
MERCEDES	658,322	622,806	+5.7%
CITROEN	609,358	602,421	+1.2%
FIAT	585,758	575,518	+1.8%

Top 10 Brands – December 2014

Make	Dec_14	Dec_13	% change Dec	Yr_14	Yr_13	% change Yr
VOLKSWAGEN	126,333	124,156	+1.8%	1,612,895	1,552,376	+3.9%
RENAULT	75,499	69,854	+8.1%	875,476	802,022	+9.2%
FORD	68,396	65,842	+3.9%	961,844	922,011	+4.3%
OPEL/VAUXHALL	68,045	64,764	+5.1%	885,714	824,609	+7.4%
PEUGEOT	59,983	55,298	+8.5%	785,235	740,755	+6.0%
BMW	56,599	50,645	+11.8%	673,655	639,798	+5.3%
MERCEDES	51,856	44,190	+17.3%	658,322	622,806	+5.7%
AUDI	47,516	46,375	+2.5%	724,388	694,165	+4.4%
SKODA	42,852	43,229	-0.9%	578,331	512,229	+12.9%
CITROEN	42,639	44,439	-4.1%	609,358	602,421	+1.2%

The Volkswagen Golf consolidated its lead of the market, held since 2008, and increased full-year sales by 11.1% over 2013. Second place was more closely fought, with the Ford Fiesta taking the position for the full year, ahead of the Renault Clio, Volkswagen Polo and Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, while the Clio and Polo placed ahead of the Fiesta in December.

Only two of the year’s top 10 models, the Ford Focus and Peugeot 208, recorded lower sales than in 2013, with the 208 slipping out of the monthly top 10 chart in December. Meanwhile Peugeot’s newer and larger 308 model continued its climb up the chart in December, demonstrating the demand for new products and the continued strength of the Peugeot brand. 

The Renault Captur’s appearance in the December top 10 shows how strong the market for small crossovers has become, this being backed up by strong sales throughout the year of the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka and Peugeot 2008.

Seat’s Leon, with the addition to the latest generation of both 3dr hatchback and estate body types to the previous 5dr hatchback, has recorded sales up 57.4% on 2013. Dacia’s Duster SUV increased sales by 46.1%, while the brand’s Logan saloon and estate recorded an increase of 92.2%.

Citroën’s C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso family of MPVs recorded sales up 36.3% on 2013 as the second generation models enjoyed their first full year in the market. Other new-generation products that recorded much stronger sales in 2014 than their predecessors did in 2013 include the Nissan Note (+94.2%), Mazda3 (+89.2%) and BMW X5 (+122.4%).

Top 10 Models – FY 2014

Make & Model	Yr_14	Yr_13	% change Yr
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF	520,958	468,850	+11.1%
FORD FIESTA	308,999	293,398	+5.3%
RENAULT CLIO	300,924	286,453	+5.1%
VOLKSWAGEN POLO	280,378	266,484	+5.2%
OPEL/VAUXHALL CORSA	252,420	239,872	+5.2%
FORD FOCUS	222,834	224,139	-0.6%
PEUGEOT 208	215,312	237,968	-9.5%
SKODA OCTAVIA	206,362	169,075	+22.1%
NISSAN QASHQAI	204,200	201,784	+1.2%
AUDI A3/S3/RS3	200,157	167,779	+19.3%

Top 10 Models – December 2014

Make & Model	Dec_14	Dec_13	% change Dec	Yr_14	Yr_13	% change  Yr
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF	37,265	36,969	+0.8%	520,958	468,850	+11.1%
RENAULT CLIO	25,653	23,842	+7.6%	300,924	286,453	+5.1%
VOLKSWAGEN POLO	21,057	21,489	-2.0%	280,378	266,484	+5.2%
FORD FIESTA	19,547	21,804	-10.4%	308,999	293,398	+5.3%
OPEL/VAUXHALL CORSA	19,526	18,010	+8.4%	252,420	239,872	+5.2%
SKODA OCTAVIA	17,338	15,888	+9.1%	206,362	169,075	+22.1%
FORD FOCUS	15,878	15,845	+0.2%	222,834	224,139	-0.6%
PEUGEOT 308	15,412	8,748	+76.2%	162,127	100,332	+61.6%
RENAULT CAPTUR	15,359	13,497	+13.8%	165,600	86,715	+91.0%
NISSAN QASHQAI	14,966	12,247	+22.2%	204,200	201,784	+1.2%

“The Golf’s continued domination of the European new car market is impressive and it was the best-selling car for the 7^th consecutive year,” commented Brian Walters, Vice President of Data at JATO Dynamics, “but the market is still receptive to new entrants, as the strong performance of small crossovers such as Renault’s Captur has demonstrated. Meanwhile, a full calendar year of growth in the market shows there is continued consumer confidence in Europe. “

Sales by Market

Country	Dec_14	Dec_13	% change Dec	Dec YtD_14	Dec YtD_13	% change YtD
Austria	17,391	20,831	-16.5%	303,318	319,035	-4.9%
Belgium	26,990	25,081	+7.6%	482,939	486,065	-0.6%
Croatia	1,690	1,786	-5.4%	33,409	27,915	+19.7%
Cyprus*	669	535	+25.0%	7,925	6,246	+26.9%
Czech Republic	16,688	14,539	+14.8%	192,314	164,733	+16.7%
Denmark	15,418	14,255	+8.2%	188,929	182,113	+3.7%
Estonia	989	1,002	-1.3%	21,135	19,694	+7.3%
Finland	7,088	5,902	+20.1%	106,179	103,301	+2.8%
France	163,354	175,319	-6.8%	1,795,885	1,790,456	+0.3%
Germany	229,700	215,320	+6.7%	3,036,773	2,952,431	+2.9%
Great Britain	166,198	152,918	+8.7%	2,476,435	2,264,737	+9.3%
Greece	6,383	4,248	+50.3%	70,847	58,662	+20.8%
Hungary	6,093	5,047	+20.7%	67,930	56,472	+20.3%
Ireland	350	212	+65.1%	96,339	74,302	+29.7%
Italy	92,920	90,390	+2.8%	1,369,772	1,311,702	+4.4%
Latvia	1,000	818	+22.2%	12,452	10,636	+17.1%
Lithuania	1,023	929	+10.1%	14,461	12,163	+18.9%
Luxembourg	3,636	2,555	+42.3%	49,793	46,624	+6.8%
Norway	12,668	11,405	+11.1%	145,948	143,921	+1.4%
Poland	29,165	26,435	+10.3%	304,382	290,046	+4.9%
Portugal*	10,512	8,643	+21.6%	141,468	105,990	+33.5%
Romania	5,595	5,569	+0.5%	70,172	57,710	+21.6%
Serbia*	1,440	1,695	-15.0%	18,048	20,437	-11.7%
Slovakia	6,216	5,575	+11.5%	70,569	64,252	+9.8%
Slovenia	3,373	2,599	+29.8%	53,296	50,878	+4.8%
Spain	74,717	61,408	+21.7%	867,979	723,916	+19.9%
Sweden	27,144	26,423	+2.7%	303,948	269,599	+12.7%
Switzerland	32,287	29,493	+9.5%	299,240	305,875	-2.2%
The Netherlands	36,513	39,162	-6.8%	393,512	420,739	-6.5%
Grand Total	997,210	950,094	+5.0%	12,995,397	12,340,650	+5.3%

NOTE: * denotes estimated data included for December 2014