FORD OF EUROPE PRODUCT STRENGTH DRIVES SALES AND PRODUCTION HIGHER IN 2006
2006 a year of growth for Ford in Europe
Total Ford sales across all markets up 81,000 units or 4.8 per cent
Production records in Cologne, Kocaeli and St. Petersburg
COLOGNE, 10 January, 2007 – 2006 was a year of growth for Ford in Europe with sales across all markets in Europe up by 81,000 in 2006, compared to the previous year.
And vehicle output across Ford's seven manufacturing plants, including those vehicles for export to other territories around the world, rose by 125,000 last year, helped by production records at the plants in Cologne, Kocaeli (Turkey) and St. Petersburg.
While Ford sales grew in key markets like Great Britain (new car market leader for the 30th consecutive year), Italy and Benelux, it was in Russia that the company posted all-time record sales and volume growth.
Total Ford sales in Russia rose by over 100 per cent to 124,500 units, up 64,400 units over the previous year. St. Petersburg produced a record 62,400 Focus units, an 89 per cent increase over 2005 that helped maintain the Focus as the best-selling non-Russian brand in the market for the fourth consecutive year.
The best-selling Ford car in Europe in 2006 was the Ford Focus, with sales up three per cent versus the previous year. Ford Fiesta sales climbed over eight per cent and the 'Van of the Year 2007' Ford Transit and its Ford Transit Connect stablemate, recorded a three per cent sales gain.
"With S-MAX and Transit having won the 2007 Car of the Year and International Van of the Year titles respectively, and our World Rally Team becoming World Champions, 2006 was clearly a year of progress, strengthening our position in Europe," said John Fleming, president and CEO, Ford of Europe.
Other Ford of Europe 2006 sales highlights were:
Ford was Britain’s best-selling car nameplate for the 30th consecutive year and Transit was the most popular commercial vehicle for the 41st consecutive year
Ford remained best-selling brand in Turkey
Ford was the leading importer in Italy
Ford Transit remained best-selling medium commercial vehicle in Europe
Ford Focus remained best-selling car in the UK, Ireland and best-selling non-Russian brand in Russia
Ford Focus became the best-selling car in Greece
LINK:
http://media.ford.com/article_display.c ... make_id=92
