• Ford's passenger car retail market share in its key European markets* rose to 9.5 per cent in March, up 0.7 percentage points versus a year ago; it was Ford's highest monthly retail share in three years
  • Ford's retail market share in first quarter was up 0.2 percentage points to 8.4 per cent
  • Improvement primarily driven by new vehicles - such as the Fiesta, Kuga and B-MAX
  • Fiesta and Focus retail share rose in March and the first quarter; B-MAX sold 18,500 in the first quarter; Kuga production in Europe on track to exceed 100,000 units for the first time this year
  • Boosted by sales of new Transit Custom and Ranger, Ford commercial vehicle share was up, as well, at 10.9 in March and 9.3 per cent in the first quarter, up 0.8 percentage points for both periods
  • Ford's overall vehicle market share declined by 0.4 and 0.7 percentage points in March and the first quarter respectively, largely reflecting the decision to reduce short cycle and daily rental registrations, and limited availability of large passenger cars
  • Ford remained Europe's No. 2 top-selling brand overall for March and the first quarter
  • Ford was the best-selling vehicle brand in the UK in March and the first quarter
  • Ford's new product launches in 2013 include the all-new Fiesta ST, Focus Electric, Transit, Transit Connect, Tourneo Connect and EcoSport, and the all-new Ford Courier small commercial vehicle unveiled at Birmingham Commercial Vehicle Show last week

COLOGNE, Germany, April 17, 2013 - Ford of Europe achieved its highest monthly retail market share in three years in March.

Ford's share of the passenger car retail market - vehicles purchased by individual customers - reached 9.5 per cent in its key European markets, up 0.7 percentage points from a year ago. Ford's retail share for the first quarter of 2013 also was up by 0.2 percentage points to 8.4 per cent.

The improvement was largely driven by sales of new models - including Fiesta, Kuga and B-MAX - as well as the Focus. The new Ranger pickup and Transit Custom van drove higher commercial vehicle share.

"We are not quite seeing green shoots of an economic recovery yet, but we are seeing some green shoots for Ford in Europe now five months after we launched a comprehensive transformation plan covering product, brand and cost," said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe, Middle East and Africa. "A key piece of our plan was the decision to focus on retail sales and significantly reducing sales to rental fleets and, especially, short cycle sales. This shift is critical to margins, residual values and the health of the Ford brand."

Ford's overall vehicle market share declined in March by 0.4 percentage points, and in the first quarter by 0.7 percentage points, primarily reflecting the decision to reduce short cycle and daily rental registrations, and limited availability of large passenger cars due to production stoppages at Ford's plant in Genk, Belgium. Normal production resumed at the plant last month after Ford reached an agreement with hourly employees on separation terms related to the proposed closure of the plant at the end of 2014.

Ford sold 267,000 vehicles in the first quarter in the traditional 19 European markets it tracks, and 323,000 vehicles across all 51 markets it operates in. Best-selling models were Fiesta, Focus, Transit, C-MAX, B-MAX, and Kuga. Ford remained the No. 2 brand overall for March and the first quarter (Euro 19 markets).

"The reason we have been able to make this shift toward healthier retail sales is the investment in new product we have made even in the toughest times - just as we did in North America during the last recession," Odell said. "In the past few months alone we have launched new Fiesta, Fiesta ST, B-MAX, Kuga and Transit Custom, giving us a very fresh showroom."

Fiesta retail sales share in its segment rose 1.2 percentage points in March and 0.4 percentage points for the first quarter, and order take was up 8 per cent versus the first quarter last year.** Focus retail share in its segment increased by 1.6 percentage points in March and 0.4 percentage points for the first quarter. The new B-MAX small multi-purpose vehicle sold 18,500 in the first quarter in the Euro 19 markets.

Ford recently announced plans to increase Kuga production in Valencia to meet demand. Ford is now on track to build more than 100,000 units of Kuga production for the first time this year.

New products are also driving commercial vehicle sales. Ford sold 44,000 commercial vehicles in the first quarter (Euro 19 markets). Sales of the new Ranger pickup -- the International Pickup of the Year -- increased by 65 per cent in the first quarter. Ford commercial vehicle share rose by 0.8 percentage points to 10.9 in March and 9.3 per cent in the first quarter. Order takes of Ford's commercial vehicles are up 8 per cent versus the first quarter 2012.

In Britain, where Ford has held car sales leadership for 36 consecutive years, retail car sales grew by 0.8 per cent for the year-to-date. Ford was the best-selling vehicle brand in the UK in March and the first quarter, with sales volume up slightly and a market share of 15 per cent for both periods. The UK, Germany, France, Italy and Russia were Ford's top five markets in Europe both in March and year-to-date.

"Over time, our One Ford approach of investing in product, matching production to the real demand, focusing on healthy retail sales and building our brand will transform our business in Europe," Odell said.

* UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain. See table further down. Ford volume in these markets represents 80% of the Europe 19 volume.
** industry-adjusted

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