UK SALES APRIL - FORD - Ford stretches UK market lead through April and outpaces CV rivals.

Ford total vehicle sales increased in April, and for the year to date, compared with the same periods in 2014, as it stretched its total vehicle sales lead by over 11 per cent over its nearest competitor.

A surge in Ford commercial vehicle (CV) sales was a major factor, with registrations up by 39.5 per cent for the year to date, and more than double those of its nearest rival, compared with the same period in 2014.  

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

• Ford is the UK market leader in total vehicle, car and commercial vehicle sales
• Ford CV sales and share grew in April and for the year to date
• Fiesta is UK best-seller, alone it outsells the full ranges of all but four rival car makers
• Fiesta, Focus and Transit brand are the UK’s top three best-selling vehicle lines
• In its 50^th year as UK CV sales leader, Ford’s lead increases by 75 per cent

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said:  "UK car sales have grown consistently for more than three years and it is gratifying that, through this period, Ford has maintained, and extended, its long-standing UK market leadership.

“This is the result of our continued investment in exciting products and industry-leading technologies, delivered through the strongest UK dealer network.  We are reaping the sales benefits of our fresh and extended CV range, while our launch cadence is accelerating with highlights this year including C-MAX, S-MAX, Galaxy, Mustang and Mondeo Vignale."

The official figures released by the SMMT today show that total car sales in March were up 5.1 per cent to 185,778 units, compared with April 2014. Ford car sales were 25,018, 6,328 registrations ahead of its nearest rival.  For the year to date (end April) total UK car sales were 920,366, up 6.4 per cent compared with the same period in 2014.  Ford car sales for this period were 119,822, 28,108 registrations ahead of its nearest rival.  Ford lead in retail car sales reflects the preferences of private buyers.  In April, Ford was 2.7 percentage points of retail car sales share ahead of its nearest rival and for the year to date, it was ahead 4.3 percentage points.

The Ford Fiesta and the Ford Focus were the number one and two top sellers in April with Fiesta’s 10,294 registrations placing it sixth among the top-selling car manufacturers - outselling the entire car ranges of all but four of Ford’s rivals.  The Ford Kuga is another strong sales performer, recording sales and share increases in April and for the year to date, compared with 2014. 

The broad customer appeal of Ford’s 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 April were up 22.3 per cent at 29,690, compared with April 2014.  Total sales of Ford CVs were up 37.3 per cent at 7,334, compared with April 2014.  For the year to date total UK CV sales were up 23.2 per cent at 139,065, compared with 2014.  Total sales of Ford CVs for the same period were up 39.5 per cent at 34,848, compared with 2014.

Ford light commercials sales in April were up from 1,012 to 1,740, compared with April 2014, and LCV market share increased from 17.8 to 24.5 per cent.  For the year to date Ford LCV sales have more than doubled, compared with 2014, increasing from 3,702 to 8,133 with share up from 12.4 to 22.5 per cent.

Ford medium commercials sales in April were up from 4,329 to 5,594, compared with April 2014, and MCV market share increased from 26.8 to 29.6 per cent.  For the year to date Ford MCV sales, compared with 2014, increased from 21,287 to 26,715 with share up from 28.8 to 29.9 per cent.

Ford’s entire CV range: Fiesta Van, Transit Courier, Transit Connect, Transit Custom, Transit and Ranger, are all placed in the top three in their respective market segments.