UK SALES SEPTEMBER - FORD - #1 Best Seller (Fiesta) - #1+ #2 Best Seller CV (Transit & Connect).

Ford total vehicle sales exceeded 70,000 in September as it recorded its all-time best-ever month for commercial vehicle (CV) sales with 16,526 registrations.

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

• Ford total vehicle sales 71,296, up from 69,438 in September 2014
• Ford is the UK market leader in total vehicle, car and commercial vehicle sales
• Fiesta is UK best-seller; Transit Custom and Transit first and second in CV sales
• Transit range is third in UK total vehicle sales
• In 50^th year as UK CV sales leader, Ford outsells nearest CV rival by two to one

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said:  "Vehicle sales are boosted in September due to the number plate change, and in combination with March sales account for a third of the UK annual total.  Ford’s best-ever car and CV ranges have contributed to Ford sales for March and September combined exceeding 150,000.

“Ford’s long-standing UK market leadership – 38 years for cars, 49 years for CVs – is being strengthened through continued investment in exciting products and industry-leading technologies.  The sales success of our fresh and extended CV range underlines this, while car sales are outpacing rivals thanks to the flow of new models, including C-MAX, S-MAX, Galaxy, Mustang and Mondeo Vignale."

The official figures released by the SMMT today show that total car sales in September were up 8.6 per cent to 462,517 units, compared with September 2014. Ford car sales were 55,083, 11,125 registrations ahead of its nearest rival.  For the year to date (end September) total UK car sales were 2,096,886, up 7.1 per cent compared with the same period in 2014.  Ford car sales for this period were 268,328, 56,228 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 September, Ford’s retail car sales share was 11.4 per cent, 3.2 percentage points ahead of its nearest rival, and for the year to date, Ford’s retail car sales share was 12.2 per cent, a lead of 4.0 percentage points.

The Ford Fiesta is in its seventh year as the UK top seller and in September it recorded 22,807 registrations, 7,137 sales and 1.5 percentage points of share ahead of its nearest rival.  With total registrations of 108,054 for the year to date, the Ford Fiesta is the UK best seller by a significant margin – 35,219 sales and 1.7 percentage points of market share ahead of its nearest competitor.

Ford’s broad customer appeal across its car range is demonstrated by Fiesta, Focus, C-MAX, Kuga and Galaxy all occupying top three places in their respective market segments.  Ford Kuga sales are at the highest level since it was launched with September registrations of 5,090, up 13.9 per cent, compared with September 2014,  and sales for the year to date of 25,605, up 35.4 per cent, compared with the same period in 2014.

UK commercial vehicle sales in September were up 19.4 per cent at 65,472, compared with September 2014.  At 16,526, total sales of Ford CVs were at the highest level ever recorded following the previous record of 16,497 achieved in March this year.  Ford CV sales for the month and for the year to date are more than double those of its nearest rival.

For the year to date total UK CV sales were up 18.9 per cent at 325,940, compared with the same period in 2014. Total sales of Ford CVs for the year to date were up 23.6 per cent at 80,833, compared with 2014.

Ford light commercials sales for the year to date were up from 12,643 to 17,679, compared with the same period in 2014 and Ford medium commercials sales for the year to date were up from 52,735 to 63,154, compared with 2014.

The full availability of Ford’s extended CV family has helped deliver this strong sales momentum.  Fiesta Van, Transit Courier, Transit Connect, Transit Custom, Transit and Ranger are all placed in the top three in their respective market segments.