Ford has cemented its position at the top of the UK car and commercial vehicle market with sales increases in both market share and volume for the first half of 2007 compared to last year’s figures.
The car giant's continuing popularity among private buyers has helped achieve its 16.5 per cent share of 2007 registrations - its best first half-year performance for five years.
A total of 241,620 cars and commercials were sold by the car manufacturer from January to June, resulting in a 0.3 increase from last year’ share .
Ford dealerships retailed the most cars to private buyers both in June and year-to-date, while also making a total of 77,848 private sales this year – more than 10,000 ahead of the nearest competitor .
The success of new vehicles such as the S-MAX, Europe's current Car of the Year, and Ford Transit, International Van of the Year 2007, are major contributors to the company’s latest sales surge.
The Ford S-MAX and the new Ford Galaxy have helped drive a 350 per cent increase in Ford MPV sales over the last 12 months, while the Ford Fiesta continues to impress, with registrations for the hatchback up by over 600 compared with last year.
Chairman and managing director for Ford of Britain, Roelant de Waard commented: "Ford has strengthened its sales position in the UK through the first half of 2007 thanks to a stream of fresh exciting models including Transit, S-MAX, Galaxy and revised C MAX."
"Now with the all-new Mondeo on sale, Ford dealers have a class-leading flagship, which will give a major boost to the second half of the year."
The company is set to record its 31st consecutive year as car market leader, along with its 42nd consecutive year as the commercial vehicles sales leader.
