(March 15, 2011) COLOGNE, Germany — Ford's overall European sales in its 50 markets remained stable in February. As in January, sales were particularly strong in the growth markets of Turkey, Russia and Eastern Europe.

Ford's sales in these markets were 104,700 units, unchanged versus February 2010.

Ford's Turkish sales increased by 110 per cent — from 4,400 last year to 9,300 this February — making it the highest-ever February sales month for Ford in the country. Ford's sales in Russia increased by 50 per cent, while Eastern European sales rose by 9.4 per cent in February.

The increased sales volume in these markets helped to offset a smaller volume in Ford's traditional 19 European markets. Sales were 85,500 units, down 7,700 units, and Ford's total vehicle share in these markets was 7.6 per cent, a reduction of 0.8 percentage points from February 2010.

"It's great to see the C-Max having such a strong sales start," said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. "It's already our No. 3 best-selling model after the Fiesta and Focus, and we've already sold over 31,000 C-Max models in just a  few months after launch."

Ford C-Max strong
performer in Europe

"We're also just starting the launch of the all-new Ford Focus five-door across Europe, with the four-door and wagon derivatives due in May. This is a great car, a class-leader in so many areas, and we fully expect it to do extremely well in the market.

"In terms of the UK, Ford is the clear top-selling brand year-to-date, with the Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta No. 1 and No. 2 best-selling cars in the market respectively. The February market accounts for just three per cent of annual sales, and is effectively a curtain raiser for the high volume of sales during the important registration plate change month of March, when Ford customers have the chance to experience first-hand the exciting, new Ford Focus," said de Waard.

Ford already has one of the freshest product ranges in the European auto industry, and this year it is anticipated that around 40 per cent of Ford's sales volume will be of all-new or significantly freshened products. Over the next three years, Ford will launch at least 20 new or freshened products in Europe, and is also looking at ways to leverage Ford's extensive product portfolio. Ford's first electric vehicle — the Transit Connect Electric — also goes on sale in Europe this year.