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.

Ford enters 2015 knowing it will one of the busiest in its history, lots of new cars and tech to come.

• Ford says 2015 will be one its busiest years ever in terms of new product launches in the UK – broadening the appeal of the Ford brand to more customers
• Ford last year strengthened its UK market lead while recording 38 consecutive years of car sales leadership and 49 years of commercial vehicle leadership on strong demand for its new, all-new and refreshed cars, commercial vehicles and remarkable technologies
• In 2015, all-new Mondeo will be joined by the all-new Ford Galaxy and S-MAX and versatile new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX
• Ford debuts upmarket product and ownership experience this year with the new Ford Vignale Mondeo
• The all-new Ford Mustang will go on in the UK, and with right-hand drive, this year for first time in the iconic vehicle’s 50-year history; new Focus ST and Focus diesel ST also debut
• Ford will extend all-new Mondeo range to include the first Mondeo Hybrid, and models equipped with Intelligent all-wheel drive, and the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost
• Production to start for advanced all-new Ford Edge SUV in late 2015, joins Kuga and EcoSport as Ford continues to leverage global SUV strength

Ford of Britain – which last year strengthened its UK market lead while recording 38 consecutive years of car sales leadership and 49 years of commercial vehicle leadership on strong demand for its new models – said 2015 will be one of the busiest years for new product in the company’s history.

Ford confirmed for the first time that an all-new Ford Galaxy seven-passenger vehicle will go on sale about mid-year. Other new models coming in 2015 include the all-new S-MAX, C‑MAX, Grand C-MAX and Mustang. All-new Edge SUV will go into production in late 2015. 

In addition, Ford will complete the rollout of the all-new Mondeo with variants equipped with Intelligent all-wheel drive, high-powered diesel and petrol engines, and the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost. The new Focus family is also being expanded to include a new Focus ST and Focus diesel ST, followed by refreshed versions of EcoSport and Ranger.

“In 2014, our new passenger cars, commercial vehicles and remarkable technologies helped us outperform the market and increase our market share in Europe,” said Jim Farley, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. “In 2015, we’re excited to build on this momentum and reach new customers with everything from larger, more upscale cars and utilities to new performance vehicles to vehicles designed for families of every size. These new vehicles reflect a more emotional and upmarket vision for Ford products in Europe.”

This year Ford expects to launch new or significantly refreshed versions of passenger cars that last year accounted for around 45 per cent of total sales.

Here is a closer look at Ford’s product plans for 2015:

Vignale

Ford will debut its upscale Vignale product and ownership experience in 2015 with the Vignale Mondeo. Vignale will be sold from select FordStores across the UK.

Among bespoke services available to customers who have bought a new Ford Vignale from the FordStores will be collection and delivery for vehicle servicing – from a home address or office location – alongside servicing scheduled to suit the owner. Vignale customers will be able to make all arrangements, and make any Vignale-related enquiries via a single, free telephone number. Vignale vehicles will always be handled with care and, with a premium valet, handed back to owners waxed, cleaned, and vacuumed.

SUVs

Ford’s expansion of its SUV range was led by the introduction of the new Kuga, first revealed in late 2012. Last year, the company introduced the all-new EcoSport compact SUV, combining the practicality and affordability of a small car in a spacious, flexible SUV package.

This year Ford will start production of the all-new Edge, Ford’s most advanced SUV, which will go on sale to European customers for the first time. The company also will introduce enhancements for EcoSport for a fresh, comprehensive range of small, medium and large SUVs.

Ford Performance

A mouth-watering year for performance vehicle enthusiasts includes the arrival of an icon. After more than 50 years, the all-new Ford Mustang will go on sale in the UK for the first time and Fastback and convertible models will be offered equipped with Ford’s new 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, and the latest generation of Ford’s legendary 5.0-litre V8.

In early 2015, Ford will introduce the new Focus ST. Offered as a five-door model, and estate, the new Focus ST will for the first time offer a powerful diesel option – the most fuel‑efficient and lowest CO₂ Ford performance car ever.*

Only last month, Ford confirmed it will be launching an all-new Focus RS. The 30^th RS model produced by Ford since 1967 will be the first to go on sale globally, and is among more than 12 new performance vehicles that Ford is bringing to customers worldwide through 2020.

Family vehicles

The all-new Ford Galaxy that will join Ford’s family vehicle line-up this year, is the fifth generation of one of Europe’s most popular seven-seat family movers.

For families, Ford will deliver a wide spectrum of new models including, in spring, an all-new version of the trail-blazing S-MAX sports activity vehicle. At the same time, the stylish new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX multi-activity vehicles will enhance a MAX family that also includes the B-MAX multi-activity vehicle to ensure the broadest choice of family vehicles in Europe.

All-new Mondeo

Ford will extend the all-new Mondeo range which includes, for the first time, the Mondeo Hybrid Electric Vehicle. There also will be a first Mondeo 1.0-litre EcoBoost, equipped with the engine that achieved an unprecedented third consecutive victory when it was named 2014 International Engine of the Year. Ford will introduce to the line-up Intelligent all-wheel drive, and a new twin-sequential turbocharged 210PS 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine.

Remarkable technologies

All-new Mondeo and S-MAX customers will this year be able to specify technologies including:

• Intelligent all-wheel drive, which measures how the car’s tyres are gripping the road surface every 16 milliseconds, and can adjust power delivery to individual wheels in 100 milliseconds
• Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, which can detect people in the road ahead – or that could cross the vehicle’s path – and automatically apply the brakes if the driver does not respond to warnings
• Active Park Assist with Perpendicular Parking technology, which can detect and reverse the car hands-free into spaces alongside other cars as well as parallel to the road; technology first offered on the new Ford Focus

All-new S-MAX will debut in Europe Ford Adaptive Steering, which continually changes the ratio between the steering and road wheels according to vehicle speed. It also will introduce Front Split View Camera technology to the segment, which makes negotiating junctions or parking spaces with restricted visibility easier through the use of a 180deg camera system installed at the front of the vehicle.

Finally, all of the vehicles being launched in 2015 will feature SYNC 2 – Ford’s connectivity system with advanced voice control and eight-inch colour touchscreen. This enables drivers to operate phone, entertainment, climate and navigation systems using simple conversational language. Drivers can even bring up a list of local restaurants by using the command: “I’m hungry”.

“Our entire product development team around the world, and especially here in Europe, have been working harder than ever to deliver on the product promises that we have made as part of our revitalisation plan,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “From performance cars that deliver outstanding on-road performance to family vehicles that deliver great quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology, 2015 promises to be one of the most exciting years for Ford of Europe and its customers.”

UK SALES - FORD - The Blue Oval continues to dominate the UK market for nearly four decades.

Ford strengthened its UK market lead in 2014 while recording 38 consecutive years of car sales leadership and 49 years of UK commercial vehicle (CV) sales leadership.  Ford’s sales lead increased in all sectors: total vehicle, cars and commercial vehicles.

Highlights of the official full-year 2014 figures issued today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) include:

• Ford is the number one UK car brand for 38 successive years.
• Ford commercial vehicles have been the UK's favourite for 49 years.
• Ford CV sales and share up in 2014, LCV share up from 10.1 to 18.9 per cent.
• Fiesta is the UK best seller for the sixth successive year.
• Focus is second in total vehicle sales, Transit nameplate sales would be fourth.
• Fiesta sales exceed the total sales of all but five rival car makers.

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said:  "Ford’s commitment has been consistently to provide UK customers with the best vehicle range and after-sales support supplied through the strongest dealer network.  Our long-standing market leadership is the reward for delivering on this promise.

“In 2014, Ford extended its sales lead in a fiercely competitive market and launched a number of award-winning vehicles and technologies. In 2015, following the recent launches of the new Focus and Mondeo, we will be strengthening our vehicle range further with new Focus ST, S-MAX, Mustang and Vignale models and providing a transformed customer experience in partnership with our dealers, who invested significantly in their dealerships during 2014, with more planned in 2015."

According to the official SMMT figures, full year car sales in the UK in 2014 were up 9.4 per cent at 2,476,435 registrations, compared with 2013.  Ford sold 326,643 cars in the UK last year, up from 310,865 in 2013.  Ford’s car sales lead in 2014, over its nearest rival, increased by 10 per cent to 57,466.

Ford Fiesta’s total registrations of 131,254 in 2014, up from 121,929 in 2013, made it the UK best-seller by a significant margin.  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 being placed in the top three in their respective market segments.

Ford Transit has led the UK CV sector from its launch in 1965 and Ford’s CV range secured a 23.5 per cent share in 2014, up from 20.9 per cent in 2013.  Ford’s CV sales lead of 52,884 in 2014 increased by 27.6 per cent compared with 2013, while Ford’s UK total vehicle 2014 sales lead of 109,075 units was up by 18 per cent compared with 2013.

The full availability of Ford’s extended CV family helped deliver Ford light commercial sales and share increases in 2014 (18,030 and 18.9 per cent versus 9,482 and 10.1 per cent in 2013).  In the new Ford light commercial range, the Ford Transit Courier has quickly taken leadership in its segment, joining the Ford Fiesta Van as further LCV segment leader for Ford.

The December registration figures released by the SMMT show that UK car sales were up by 8.7 per cent at 166,198 units, compared with December 2013.  Ford car sales were 20,509, up from 19,496 in December 2013.

UK commercial vehicle sales in December were down 10.6 per cent at 29,389, compared with December 2013.  Total sales of Ford CVs were up 25.3 per cent at 6,359, compared with December 2013.  Ford light commercials increased sales and share in December, compared with December 2013, up from 437 to 1,827 registrations and from 6.8 to 27.4 per cent, respectively.