Ford of Europe’s vehicle sales increased again in April on the back of strong demand for its all-new and updated models, led by the Mondeo, Kuga, EcoSport and Transit commercial vehicle range.
The company sold 106,900 vehicles in total in its 20 traditional European markets last month, and 442,100 vehicles in the first four months of the year - a year-over-year increase of 7.2 percent and 11.2 percent, respectively. This compares to industry-wide growth of 7.3 percent in April and 8.6 percent year-to-date.
Ford’s total vehicle market share was flat at 7.9 percent in April and rose by 0.2 percentage points to 8.1 percent year-to-date. Driven by its strong sales volume, Ford maintained its No.2 position as the best-selling single nameplate for total vehicle and passenger car sales for both periods.
Ford’s continued strong sales momentum in Europe is largely driven by robust sales in higher value sales channels including the private retail and the fleet segments. The company’s combined sales in the retail and fleet market accounted for 71 percent of its passenger car sales in April and 72 percent in the first four months, 2 and 3 percentage points better than industry average respectively.
Sales of the all-new Mondeo were up 69 percent year-over-year and customer orders were up 74 percent in April as the Mondeo lineup is currently arriving at Ford’s European dealerships.
Also, customer orders of the new Focus were up 21 percent compared to the same month last year. Customer orders for the Fiesta - Europe’s best-selling small car in 2012, 2013 and 2014, and again in the first quarter of 2015 - were up by almost 40 percent in April.
Since the opening of books in January, more than 2,800 orders have been placed for the iconic Mustang which will start to arrive with European customers later this year.
Ford’s SUV sales continue to be robust, with Kuga sales up 25 percent - the best April for the model since the launch of the first-generation Kuga in 2008. Customer orders were up 52 percent year-over-year. Strong demand for the EcoSport compact SUV continued throughout April underscoring the vehicle’s resonance with customers.
Ford sustained its strong momentum in commercial vehicle sales and improved market share with its completely new and expanded Transit range - including the Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Connect and Transit Courier. Ford was No2. best-selling name plate in April in this category while the company maintained its No1. position as single nameplate year to date.
Demand for the Ranger pickup continued to grow with sales up 21 percent last month, the best April volume since its launch in 1999. Commercial vehicle sales were up 36 percent in April and 41 percent year-to-date. Market share rose by 2.2 and 2.8 percentage points to 11.8 and 13.0 percent in April and year-to-date, respectively, the best shares in almost two decades. April customer orders for Ford commercial vehicles were up 58 per cent year on year.
