END OF YEAR UK - KIA - Another year of record sales as Kia outperforms the market.

• Kia records best-ever 89,364 sales in 2016
• Kia out-performs new car market with near 14 per cent growth
• Sportage continues to lead demand
• New Niro and Optima Sportswagon make positive starts

Kia Motors (UK) Limited set yet another new record in 2016 with sales for the year totalling 89,363 a 13.8 per cent growth compared to 2015’s record total of 78,489.

With Sportage, Picanto, cee’d, Rio and Venga continuing to lead Kia’s performance table the brand saw its sales split almost equally between retail and fleet. 

Private customers accounted for 49 per cent of the total – a much stronger performance than the overall market where fleet sales take 57.4 per cent with private customers representing just 38 per cent of sales.

Launched during the second half of the year Kia’s new hybrid SUV – the Kia Niro – and its Optima Sportswagon both contributed positively with the Sportswagon helping Optima sales double and Niro establishing itself well amongst both retail and fleet customers.

Paul Philpott, President and Chief Executive said: “The new car market has done well in 2016 – growing overall by two per cent, but I am proud and excited that we have delivered 14 per cent growth in what has been a very competitive market.

“Our dedicated and enthusiastic 187-strong dealer network along with attractive new products such as the latest Sportage, Niro and Optima Sportswagon continue to win new customers for the brand. And we have even more new products to come in 2017 – so although the market is expected to decline by around five per cent, I believe we are well-placed to continue our growth pattern towards our stated aim of 100,000 cars per year,” he added.

CHINA - Ford and its joint ventures push sales to record levels in the month and year to date growth continues.

• Ford and its joint ventures sold 107,618 vehicles in October, up 14 percent; Mustang, Explorer, New Edge, Focus and Escort drive sales increase
• Changan Ford Automobile sold 82,368 vehicles, up 10 percent
• Jiangling Motor Corporation sold 23,949 vehicles, up 29 percent

Ford and its joint ventures in China continued to build momentum in China, posting record October sales of 107,618 vehicles, up 14 percent compared to October 2015.

Year-to-date sales for Ford, Changan Ford and Jiangling Motor Corporation total 966,000 vehicles, up 10 percent.

“We had a strong October and we are headed for our best year ever for sales in China,” said Peter Fleet, vice president of Marketing, Sales and Service, Asia Pacific. “We are seeing the benefits of  a much more exciting lineup and an ever stronger focus on the wants and needs of Chinese customers.”

Monthly sales for CAF, Ford's passenger car joint venture, totaled 82,368 vehicles, up 10 percent compared to October 2015. So far in 2016 CAF has sold 745,650 vehicles, up 14 percent compared to last year.

Sales of the iconic Ford Mustang remained strong in October, up 60 percent compared to October 2015. Ford’s SUVs also continue to perform well. Ford Edge sales rose 93 percent in the month while Explorer sales rose 30 percent.

Small sedans also continue to be a bright spot for Ford, with sales of the Ford Focus up 15 percent and sales of the Ford Escort up 34 percent.

JMC, Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China also saw a strong October, selling 23,949 vehicles, a 29-percent increase compared to October 2015. Year-to-date sales accelerated past the 200,000 mark, up 3 percent compared to the same time last year.

Ford Motor Company China Retail Sales Performance

	October 2016	January – October  2016	October   2015	January – October  2015
CAF	82,368	745,650	74,820	654,919
Imported Ford Vehicles	1,301	13,953	1,295	22,794
JMC	23,949	206,578	18,632	201,124
Total China	107,618	966,181	94,747	878,837

UK SALES SEPT - Abarth sales in the UK means it sells more cars here than in any other country in the world.

The new Abarth 124 spider has helped Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ high performance marque to power ahead in terms of UK sales, as today's new car registrations figures reveal.

The scorpion brand has posted its best month ever in the UK. In super September, Abarth sold 805 cars - up 14.02 per cent on the 706 sold in the same period last year.

Year-to-date, the brand's 3125 units was 54.02 per cent up on YTD 2015 (2029), as an increasing number of people become owners of cars from Abarth's stunning 595 and 695 ranges – including the incredible 190hp biposto Record – and the fabulous new 124 spider two-seater which, for 2016 only, will feature a unique numbered badge.

The result means the UK is now the number one country for Abarth sales, year to date ahead, even, of Italy.

Market share of 0.17 per cent for September was up from 0.15 per cent for the same period in 2016, according to figures supplied by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

"This year has been an excellent one for Abarth, with September being the pinnacle," says Gerry Southerington, Abarth brand manager. "The new 124 spider has clearly helped us to carry the momentum on, and we look forward to continued success as we close 2016.”

Among the delighted new owners helping to make September a success for Abarth is Bertie Bryant, of Ascot, Berkshire, who was the first person in the UK to take delivery of a 124 spider.

“I’m absolutely delighted with my new car,” says Bertie, founder of the Abarth Owners Club. “I had been looking forward to the launch of the 124 spider for some time, and now I have one of my own, it’s everything I was hoping for.”