Ford dealers in Europe delivered 80,800 vehicles in the key 20 European markets in January 2014, representing a 9.2 percent year-over-year growth. The results mark the eighth consecutive month of sales growth for Ford, and are notable when taking into account the fact that the rest of the industry grew 4.7 percent — meaning that Ford grew at double the rate of its competitors. Sales in all 50 European markets totaled 90,700 units.
All three key market share metrics, including retail, commercial, and total, rose in January. On a year-over-year basis, total market share rose 0.3 percent to 7.5 percent, retail market share rose 0.4 percent to 7.8 percent (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain only) — the 12th consecutive months of retail share growth, while commercial market share was up 0.9 percent to 10.4 percent — the highest level since 1998.
Compared to January 2013, Ford sales to European retail and fleet (excluding rental customers) customers grew 4 percent to 78 percent of total sales, which itself is 6 percent above industry average. Conversely, Ford sales to rentals and dealer registrations declined to 22 percent from 28 percent in 2013.
“Our sales and share growth – particularly in the higher value retail segment of the market – speak to the strength of our new vehicles and products,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.
Going forward, Ford will launch more than 10 new vehicles in 2014, including the Tourneo Courier, Transit Courier, Transit, Mondeo family, Mondeo Hybrid, and the C-MAX Energi plug-in-hybrid.
To note: beginning January 2014, Ford of Europe reports its sales for the 20 European markets where it is represented through National Sales Companies. The division previously referenced 19 countries. The 20th country added to the reports is Romania. Ford also states that sales data for Italy is preliminary, and that sales in UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain account for 75 to 80 percent of the Europe 20 volume.
The Motrolix Take
Witness Ford’s highly-competitive global product at work. We expect the strong new products to further strengthen Ford’s market position, and enable it to further grow market share… even in the face of adverse economic conditions in Europe.
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