Strong Sales Of Focus, Fiesta And Commercial Vehicles Lift Ford Of Europe Retails In June And First Half Of 2006

* First-half 2006 sales climb three per cent to 910,200 units; June results increase slightly to 167,000
* Commercial vehicle sales climb six per cent in first six months to 166,600
* Ford Russia sales nearly double in first-half of 2006

COLOGNE, July 14, 2006 - Strong demand for Ford’s top-selling Focus, Fiesta and commercial vehicle line boosted sales in June, leading to improved results for both that month and the first half of 2006.

“With 910,200 vehicles sold in the first half of 2006, Ford sales kept strong momentum, especially in key markets like Germany, Italy, Turkey and Russia,” said Stephen Odell, Ford of Europe vice president for marketing, sales and service. “We expect more success through the second half of 2006 with increased availability of the new S-MAX, Galaxy, Ranger and Transit.”

Focus sales jumped seven per cent in June to 49,200 units versus 45,900 units a year ago. That lifted 2006 first-half sales of Ford of Europe’s most popular car 10 per cent over last year to 275,600 units. June sales for the Fiesta were 37,100, up from 34,700 a year ago. Sales of the Fiesta between January and June 2006 were 205,200 units, up 10 per cent versus the first half of 2005.

Commercial vehicle sales, including Transit and Transit Connect, were up 9,000 units or 6 per cent to 166,600, compared to the first half of 2005.

Ford is launching a new version of the Transit across Europe. Already Europe ’s leading commercial vehicle nameplate, the new Transit offers a host of new driver-focused technologies and a more car-like driving experience.

Ford’s total vehicle market share in June reached 8.9 per cent, equal to prior year. Passenger car and commercial vehicle share in the first half of 2006 was 8.8 per cent, down 0.1 points versus prior year. The decrease was mostly due to the 4.2 per cent decline of the British vehicle industry between January and June 2006, Ford’s largest market outside of the United States.

Among individual markets, Ford had strong gains in Germany and Spain, and maintained its position as market leader in the UK and Turkey.

In Germany, Ford’s second-largest European market, the company’s June total vehicle market share increased from 7.2 per cent to 8.0 per cent. Passenger car market share jumped from 7.4 per cent to 8.5 per cent - the best result in two years. In addition, Ford Fiesta was the top seller in Germany ’s small car segment.

In Spain, Ford was the best selling brand in June with all time record sales of 21,100 units, an increase of 2,600 units or 14 per cent versus June 2005.

Ford again had a strong performance in emerging markets including Russia and Turkey. In Russia, the company sold 36,600 units through the first half of this year, 17,200 units or close to 90 per cent more than last year. Ford sold 55,800 cars and trucks in the first six months in Turkey, more than 8 per cent above last year. With a total vehicle share of 16.5 per cent, Turkey is Ford’s most successful European market in terms of share.


Ford’s sales data includes both passenger cars and commercial vehicles from its 21 major European Sales Companies, European market share figures exclude Russia.

Contact Information

Tom Malcolm

Director, Corporate Communications and News Operations

Ford Motor Company

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