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Stronger Retail Sales Help Ford Maintain Clear Market Leadership


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BRENTWOOD, UNITED KINGDOM - December 7, 2010: Ford has strengthened its share of UK car retail sales in November while retaining clear market leadership both for the month and for the year to date. Ford's car retail share of 11.3 per cent in November was up 0.7 percentage points compared with November 2009.

Official figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that Ford was overall car sales leader in November and for the year to date, with 19,641 and 266,411 registrations respectively. Ford's overall share of car sales was 14.0 per cent for the month and for the year to date.

Nigel Sharp, managing director Ford of Britain, said: "Our clear UK market leadership is being maintained while at the same time we are strengthening our share of retail sales. The all-new Ford C-MAX, the seven-seat Grand C-MAX and revised versions of the Ford S-MAX, the Ford Galaxy and the Ford Mondeo are significant introductions to our best-ever car range this year. We will continue to pursue a disciplined approach to the market while introducing new models based on an industry-leading combination of low CO2 powertrains, smart technology, safety and quality."

Jon Wellsman, sales director Ford of Britain, said: "Ford Fiesta was again the UK best seller in November and for the year to date with Ford Focus No. 2 in sales in November and No. 3 for the year to date. The new Ford S-MAX is also performing strongly with sales for the month of 1,289, up from 1,219 in November 2009, while for the year to date S-MAX sales are 11,290, up from 8,507 for the same period in 2009.

"In its 45th year of UK commercial vehicle (CV) sales leadership, Ford increased sales volume and share in November and for the year to date, compared with the same periods in 2009. Ford CV sales in November of 5,304 were up from 3,959 in November 2009 and for the year to date sales were 57,639 up from 51,491 for the same period in 2009. Ford CV share was 22.9 per cent in November up from 22.4 per cent in November 2009.

"Each model in Ford's commercial vehicle range increased its sales volume and share in November, compared with the same month in 2009. This was the case for the Ford Fiesta Van, the Ford Ranger, the Ford Transit Connect and the best-selling Ford Transit."

Ford Transit sales were up from 3,029 in November 2009 to 3,837 last month and share increased from 22.1 per cent in November 2009 to 22.5 per cent last month. Ford Transit sales for the year to date also increased from 33,941 to 42,682, compared with the same period in 2009.