UK SALES FEBRUARY - Ford remains, as always the market leader with a host of top sellers.

Ford, the UK’s market leader, increased sales and share across all market sectors, compared with February 2015, recording a 16.1 per cent total vehicle market share, up from 14.5 per cent in February 2015.

Highlights of the February sales figures issued today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) include:

• Ford sales and share increases across all sectors.
• Ford CV sales are close to triple those of its nearest rival.
• Fiesta is the UK best seller; Transit Custom and Transit, 1st and 2nd in CVs.
• Ford leads all market sectors: total vehicle, cars and commercial vehicles (CVs).
• Combined Transit range sales rank a clear 2nd in UK total vehicle sales

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said:  "Ford’s strong sales start to 2016 has resulted in our highest February total vehicle sales since 2007.

“This is the result of our continued investment in exciting products and industry-leading technologies that has provided the foundation for our ‘Unlearn’ marketing campaign that challenges consumers to take a fresh look at the brand, using the Mustang, Edge and GT as prime examples of bold and surprising new models."

According to the official SMMT figures, February car sales in the UK were up 8.4 per cent at 83,395 registrations, compared with February 2015.  Ford sold 11,513 cars in February, up 16.8 per cent, compared with February 2015.  Ford’s car sales lead over its nearest rival was 3,645.

Ford remains the clear leader in retail car sales, which most accurately reflect the preferences of private buyers.  At 17.4 per cent, Ford’s February retail car sales share was its highest since January 2009 and 8.7 percentage points ahead of its nearest rival. 

The Ford Fiesta has been the UK best-seller for seven years and it is maintaining that position by a significant margin with 4,507 sales and a 5.4 per cent market share in February, 1,933 sales and 2.3 percentage points of market share ahead of its nearest competitor.  Fiesta also leads UK retail sales with 3,666 registrations, 2,235 ahead of its nearest rival.

The strength and breadth of the Ford model range is demonstrated by Fiesta (1^st), B-MAX (3^rd), Focus (2^nd), C-MAX (2 ^nd), EcoSport (3^rd), Kuga (3^rd), Mondeo (4^th), Galaxy (1^st) and Mustang (6^th) all featuring near, or at, the top of their segments in February.

UK commercial vehicle sales in February were up 2.0 per cent at 16,718, compared with February 2015.  Sales of Ford CVs were up 20.1 per cent at 4,598, compared with February 2015.  Ford’s CV market share in February was 27.5 per cent, up from 23.4 per cent in February 2015.

Ford is in its 51^st year of UK CV market leadership and it has been confirmed that in 2015 it was also the most popular CV brand in Europe.

Ford’s fresh and extended CV range is delivering record levels of CV sales with CV registrations close to triple those of its nearest rival in February.  Fiesta Van, Transit Courier, Transit Custom, Transit and Ranger are all first in their respective market segments.