(November 16, 2014) COLOGNE, Germany — Ford’s vehicle sales in its 20 traditional European markets increased by 8.1 percent in October, outpacing the overall industry sales growth for the third consecutive month.

Year-to-date, Ford has sold almost one million vehicles — 7.8 percent more than in the same period last year, and the highest January-to-October level since 2011. October marked the fifth consecutive month of Ford volume growth and third successive month of market share growth in Europe. Ford’s market share rose by 0.2 percentage points to 7.8 percent in October, and by 0.1 percentage point to 8.0 percent year-to-date.

“Our new cars — like the EcoSport SUV with its growing sales — and commercial vehicles are helping us gain ground,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “Importantly, we are making gains with retail and fleet customers, which support a strong brand and healthy residuals, while minimizing rental and short-term registrations.”

Ford sold 98,100 vehicles in October, including 76,900 passenger cars and 21,200 commercial vehicles. It was the best October for Ford passenger car sales since 2011 and best commercial vehicles sales since 2007.

Ford commercial vehicle sales in October improved 31 percent from the same month last year. Year-to-date CV sales are up 18 percent at 187,000 units. Ford’s CV market share increased by two percentage points to 11.5 percent in October, and is up by a full percentage point to 11.3 percent year-to-date.

Ford sales in the higher value retail and fleet segments accounted for 75 percent of its total vehicle sales in October, and was two percentage points above the industry average. Year-to-date, these retail and fleet comprised 74 percent of total Ford sales, three percentage points better than the industry average.

Customer demand in October was strong across Ford’s passenger car range, led by Fiesta, Kuga and S-MAX, and Ranger. Ford’s Transit commercial vehicle family – which includes Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Connect and Transit Courier – had its highest October since 2007, and the Ranger pickup achieved its best October and October year-to-date sales since the nameplate launched in Europe in 1993.

Ford has seen strong early orders for the new Focus and new Mondeo, both of which begin reaching customers this year. The company will further strengthen and freshen its European lineup next year with the new Focus ST, S-MAX, C-MAX, Grand C-MAX, Mustang, Edge and more.