(July 12, 2011) MOSCOW — Ford sales in Russia increased 31 per cent in June to 12,900 units, and marked a return to sales levels last seen before the global economic crisis.
 
The strong performance in June boosted half-year sales to 53,550, a 36 per cent increase on the same period last year.
 
The Russian-built Ford Focus remained Ford's top-selling car in Russia last month, with sales totaling 9,160 units — a rise of 21 per cent on June, 2010. Other models also performed strongly. The Ford Mondeo — also built in St. Petersburg, and Russia's business class new car market segment leader — achieved June sales of 1,750, the highest monthly total since the model was introduced into the market. This accounted for about 20 per cent of total European sales of the Mondeo last month.
 
The Ford Transit medium commercial vehicle also had strong June with sales increasing three-fold to 790 compared to June 2010. Compared to May 2010, Transit sales increased by 48 per cent, making it one of the leading imported commercial vehicles in the Russian market.
 
News of the increase in Ford sales comes as the company's St Petersburg plant prepares to launch the new Ford Focus later this month, and after the recently-announced formation of the Ford Sollers joint venture in Russia, which will provide Ford customers in the country with more products and enhanced service.