Ford market share rise
GROWING market share is a priority for car makers, in the face of slowing sales – and none has more than Ford.
The blue oval’s market leading position GREW in March, too, as the company extended its total UK market share to 16.7 per cent.
This is up from 15 per cent in March 2008.
It means the company’s total vehicle share for the first quarter of 2009 is 18.1 per cent, with the car share growing up nearly 2 percent, to 17.2 percent.
Ford Fiesta and Focus models being the country’s two-two best sellers helped here – as did a startling medium commercial vehicle share growing to 34.3 percent!
Driven by the Ford Transit, this is a 4.4 percent boost over March 2008. It means Ford’s commercial vehicle market share is the highest it’s been since November 2000.
Such relative position gains, in a market of declining vehicle sales, means that Ford’s MD, Nigel Sharp, is delighted. Particularly with the increase in profitable retail sales – two in every three Kuga sales, for example, are to private buyers.
‘Ford’s model range… continues to attract customers, even in these difficult times,’ said Sharp.
‘Increasing retail sales are an important indicator that proves Ford has the right product mix at the right time. This has helped to boost the quality of our business at a time when it is most needed.’
The benefits to retained values are already been seen in the used sector. Such a market shift also helps the Ford brand image.
It means the car dealers can charge more for cars!
Overall, the UK market sold 202,991 fewer cars in 2009 compared with 2008. That’s a decline of 29.7 percent.
Ford sold 22,207 fewer cars – a decline of 21.1 per cent. ‘Significantly less than the overall market drop,’ Sharp was keen to point out.
Hence, the overall rise in market share. Ford car dealers will be hoping this position of strength is carried through to the market upturn, too…
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Tags: Ford, growth, market share, sales