COLOGNE, January 14, 2010 – Ford strengthened its No.2 position in Europe in 2009 with a 9.1 per cent market share in its 19 main European markets – a 0.5 percentage points increase on last year and the best Ford market share in these countries since 1998. Market share increased in 17 out of Ford's 19 European markets for the year, and Ford ended the year as the best-selling brand in the UK, Ireland, Denmark and Hungary. The Fiesta was Ford's best-selling car, and Europe's No.2 best-selling car overall.
"This is a great performance in a very difficult year for the European auto industry," said John Fleming, Chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. "Our achievement in growing our market share – and especially the success of the Ford Fiesta, Europe's No.2 best-selling car overall – highlights the importance of continuing to invest in new and exciting products for our customers even in the midst of the economic downturn."
"We will continue to build on our product momentum in 2010 and beyond. In fact, we're entering one of the most prolific periods of new product and technology introductions in Ford of Europe's history, with 11 new product actions this year alone – including the refreshed Ford Galaxy and Ford S-MAX which were unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show in Belgium just yesterday," Mr. Fleming said.
He concluded: "2010 will be another tough year for the European auto industry, especially given the ending and phase-out of some of the key scrappage schemes in Western Europe."
"We at Ford, however, are determined to be long-term winners in the European auto industry. We will continue to provide our customers with innovative products packed with the latest technologies, and we will do whatever it takes to ensure our business not only remains viable but sustainably profitable."
