Ford Increases UK Market Share in April

Strong sales from across the whole vehicle range helped Ford boost its UK sales leadership in April with increased sales and share recorded for the month, compared with April 2010.  The Ford Fiesta was first in car sales while the Ford Transit continued its reign as the best-selling commercial vehicle on the market.

Official figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that total UK car sales in April were down 7.4 percent compared with the same month of last year to 137,746 units.  Meanwhile, Ford car sales of 18,411 were down a bit from from 19,216 in April 2010 but Ford's share of the big pie was 13.4 percent, up from 12.9 percent in April 2010.

“Ford's continuing strength in retail car sales was indicated by an April retail market share of 12.8 per cent, up from 10.5 per cent in April 2010.  For the year to date Ford share of retail car sales is 13.1 per cent, increased from 11.9 per cent compared with the same period in 2010,” the company statement reads.

In the commercial vehicle segment, the Transit increased sales in April from 2,275 to 3,875 as compared to the forth month of last year, while those for the year to date sales were up from 13,626 to 20,099 and its medium CV share increased from 23.8 to 25.5 percent.  Total Ford CV sales increased by well over 1,500 units, from 3,310 to 4,928, while year to date have increased from 19,189 to 25,596, compared with the same period last year.

"The UK market continues to be intensely competitive and we are maintaining our discipline to strike an appropriate balance between sales/share and business profitability.  Ford's outstanding vehicle range helps in achieving that balance, proving its strong customer appeal by the significant, ongoing growth in retail market share,” said Nigel Sharp, Ford of Britain managing director.