UK MARCH SALES - FORD - More Growth, with best ever month for commercial sales.

Ford total vehicle sales approached the 80,000 mark in March as it recorded its all-time best-ever month for commercial vehicle (CV) sales with 16,497 registrations.

Ford’s UK market leadership remains unchallenged with its lead over its nearest rival in total vehicle sales extended by over 25 per cent, compared with March 2014.

According to the official sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT):

March 2015 highlights:

• Ford total vehicle sales 79,963, up from 74,684 in March 2014
• Ford total vehicle sales share 14.2 per cent, 4.3 percentage points ahead of nearest rival
• Fiesta is UK best-seller, outsells model ranges of all but four rival car makers
• In 50^th year as UK CV sales leader, Ford records highest-ever monthly CV sales

First quarter 2015 highlights:

• Ford total vehicle sales 121,274, up from 114,126 for the same period in 2014
• Ford is the UK market leader in total vehicle, car and commercial vehicle sales
• Ford extends its retail car sales lead – 4.5 percentage points of retail car sales share ahead of its nearest rival
• Ford CV sales and share up dramatically, sales volume is up 43 per cent compared with the same period in 2014

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said:  "Sales gain a massive boost in March thanks to the number plate change, and this March has seen Ford’s best-ever car and CV ranges record a stellar performance with registrations approaching the 80,000 mark, the highest level since 2008.

“Ford grew its UK total vehicle sales lead in March, and for the year to date, as the result of our continued investment in exciting products and industry-leading technologies, delivered through the strongest dealer network in the UK.  Launches of new Ford vehicles are continuing at an unrelenting rate with C-MAX, S-MAX, Galaxy, Mustang and Vignale among the next to be unleashed."

The official figures released by the SMMT today show that total car sales in March were up 6.0 per cent to 492,774 units, compared with March 2014. Ford car sales were 63,466, 14,777 registrations ahead of its nearest rival.  For the year to date (end March) total UK car sales were 734,588, up 6.8 per cent compared with the same period in 2014.  Ford car sales for this period were 94,804, 19,628 registrations ahead of its nearest rival.

Ford is also the clear leader in retail car sales, which most accurately reflect the preferences of private buyers.  For March, Ford is 3.3 percentage points of retail car sales share ahead of its nearest rival and for the year to date, the lead is 4.5 percentage points.

The Ford Fiesta’s March registrations of 27,034 again made it the clear UK best-seller. This sales performance would place it sixth among the top-selling car manufacturers, meaning that Fiesta on its own outsells the entire car ranges of all but four of Ford’s rival car makers. 

The fact that Ford does have 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 in March and for the year to date.

UK commercial vehicle sales in March were up 25.3 per cent at 67,965, compared with March 2014.  Total sales of Ford CVs were at the highest level ever recorded, up 43.0 per cent at 16,497, compared with March 2014.

Ford light commercials sales in March were up from 1,778 to 3,755, compared with March 2014, and LCV market share increased from 11.7 to 20.9 per cent.  Ford medium commercials sales in March were up from 10,019 to 13,449, compared with March 2014, and MCV market share increased from 27.7 to 30.2 per cent.

For the year to date there were corresponding increases in LCV and MCV sales and share and Ford’s total CV sales increased from 19,250 to 26,470, compared with the same period in 2014 with total CV sales share increasing from 22.2 to 25.2 per cent. 

The full availability of Ford’s extended CV family has helped deliver these significant increases in sales and share.  Fiesta Van, Transit Courier, Transit Connect, Transit Custom, Transit and Ranger all being placed in the top three in their respective market segments.