European Customer Demand for New Ford Fiesta Stays High, Boosting February Market Share

Fiesta was best-selling Ford car year-to-date across Europe's main 19 markets

Ford increased February market share for the main 19 markets by 0.8 percentage points to 8.5 percent vs. the same month in 2008

Ford has consolidated its position as Europe's second best-selling brand

COLOGNE, Germany, March 12, 2009: The new Ford Fiesta remained Ford of Europe's best-selling car in February as demand pushed the company's market share for the 19 main markets up nearly a full percentage point to 8.5 percent versus the same month last year.

Ford of Europe sold 91,100 vehicles in its Euro 19 markets in February, including 27,900 new Fiestas, making it the best-selling Ford car again this month, and the second-best selling car in the industry. Already this year, 56,200 new Fiestas have been delivered to European customers. Since the European market launch started in August 2008, sales of new Fiesta have totaled nearly 117,000.

"We're excited, but not surprised, to see the new Fiesta doing so well in the market place given the current economic conditions," said Ingvar Sviggum, vice-president marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe.

The new Fiesta, the first in a series of fuel efficient new small cars developed through Ford's global product development process, is also on sale in China, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. It will be launched in North America and other Asia Pacific markets early next year.

Germany sales rise in challenging European market

While overall industry Euro 19 sales declined by 20.1 percent, Ford sales in February were down by 14.2 percent compared to the same month in 2008. Top selling Ford models in the 19 main European markets were the new Fiesta (27,900), the Focus (20,800), and Transit (7,100).

"There are a number of bright spots for us this month, particularly Germany where Ford sales are up by 21,000 vehicles, or 43.7 percent, versus last February, thanks in no small part to the scrappage scheme which is proving extremely popular and generating a lot of additional showroom traffic," Sviggum said. "However the underlying trend we face is still one of an overall sales decline across the industry as a whole. We will continue to do all that it takes to stay competitive and protect the flow of our exciting new products."

Ford's 8.5 percent market share for February represents an increase of 0.8 percentage points from the year-ago month. Ford's share rose in 15 out of the main 19 markets across Europe. Only Ireland, Norway, Portugal and Spain were down in February.

In Britain, where market share rose by 1.1 percent to 17.6 percent, the Fiesta was the best-selling car for the fourth consecutive month, and in Italy, Ford was the leading import brand and the Fiesta was the best-selling imported car. In France, the Fiesta, C-MAX and S-MAX were the best-selling imported vehicles in their segments.

Across all its 51 European markets, Ford sold 107,800 vehicles in February 2009, down 18.5 percent or 24,400, when compared to the same month last year.

Ford of Europe's sales in the first two months of 2009

In the first two months of the year, Ford of Germany sold 36,500 vehicles, up by 29.5 percent year-over-year, making it the largest sales market in Europe for Ford so far in 2009. Market share there was at 7.6 percent, up by 1.9 percentage points when compared to the same period last year. German industry year-to-date was up 0.4 percentage points on 2009.

In contrast to Germany, the industry in the U.K. was down by 32.2 percent. Ford of Britain sold 35,500 vehicles, 25.9 percent. However, Ford's market share in Britain continues to rise and for the first two months of the year increased by 1.2 percentage points to 18.5 percent.

Year-to-date market share in France increased by 0.5 percentage points to 5.7 percent, with sales at 21,500, a reduction of 2,600 from the same period in 2008.

In Spain, Ford remained passenger car leader in the first two months of 2009 with sales of 12,500, a decline of 15,000 units, and a market share of 8.9 percent. The Spanish market remains one of the most depressed in Europe, with sales falling more than 50 percent versus last year.

Ford Italy sold 34,600 vehicles over this period, down 8,200 units, and market share rose by 1.2 percentage points to 9.6 percent. Fiesta rose from third to second place in the list of best-selling vehicles in Italy.

In Russia, Ford sold 17,800 vehicles, a decline of 5,800. However, Ford's market share in the first months of the year to rise by 1.6 percentage points to 7.3 percent.