(March 15, 2010) For the ninth month running, Ford of Europe maintained its positive sales momentum in February 2010, selling 93,200 new vehicles across its 19 main European markets – an increase of 1.8 per cent (or 1,600 units) on the same month last year.

"It's great to see that there's still very strong demand for our latest products, and that our market share was pretty stable in February despite aggressive discounting by some of our competitors," said Ingvar Sviggum, Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.  

"We understand the need to be competitive in the market, but we will not engage in actions that jeopardise the sustainability of our business or that devalue our brand. Such strategies are self-defeating in the longer term. Our aim is to create a strong business which provides our customers with great products at an affordable price."

Italy led Ford's European sales charts for February, having increased volume by 3,800 units to 22,000 units, with a market share of 10.1 per cent. In Spain, Ford's February volume increased by 53 per cent versus the same month last year, or 3,000 units to 8,800 units, while in France volume grew by 1,800 units to 12,200 units, more than 17 per cent higher.

Ford was the No.1 best-selling brand in the UK, Hungary, and Turkey, and increased its market share in eight of its 19 main European markets. Fiesta sales were the highest in February since 1998, further strengthening the model's position as Europe's No.1 small car and No.2 selling car overall in February and year-to-date. Among other sales successes was Ka, having grown by more than 47 per cent year-on-year.

"February is traditionally a slower month in the UK as the market prepares for the March registration change, but Ford remained No.1 in the country," Mr. Sviggum said. "We also retained leadership in the market segments where the Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo and Galaxy compete, while Transit was the best-selling commercial vehicle.

"We expect a strong March in the UK and to continue our sales momentum across Europe," Mr. Sviggum continued. "We've increased the number of vehicles we were intending to build in the First Quarter by 20,000 units, though we still expect some decline in the European market during the course of the year as scrappage schemes are phased-out."

Year-to-date, Ford has registered 198,500 vehicles in its 19 European markets, 5,800 units or three per cent more than in 2009. Market share in the main 19 European markets was 8.6 per cent, down 0.3 percentage points, partly due to aggressive discounting by some competitors. Ford's share was up in four of its main 19 European markets in the first two months of 2010.