Ford Motor sold 115,700 vehicles in April in its 51 European markets, a 10% drop or 12,700 units fewer when compared with April 2011. In the first four months of the year, Ford sales in these markets totaled 501,000 vehicles, a reduction of 7.2%.
Like other automakers, Ford is struggling with the contractionist policies of governments in Germany and Brussels, as voter unrest grows with the Depression level economic conditions. Both in April and year-to-date light vehicle sales in the EU are off almost 8%, the fifth straight year of declines. official results from ACEA, the automakers trade group, are due tomorrow
Overall in its 19 traditional markets, Ford’s market share dipped by 0.3 percentage points to 7.7% with sales of 90,200 vehicles in April. Year-to-date, Ford’s market share was 8.3% flat , compared the first four months of 2011.
The only bright spots for Ford were the United Kingdom, eastern Europe and Russia, which is not part of the EU of course.
Ford’s April vehicle sales in the UK – its largest European market – increased by 4.3% to 24,400 vehicles and its market share rose 0.5% to 15.1 per cent. Ford once commanded 35% of the U.K. market, but is still hanging on as market leader. In Eastern Europe, Ford’s sales were 4,400 units in April and 16,600 year-to-date, up 12% and 16% compared to the same periods in 2011, respectively.
In Russia, Ford sales totaled 12,400 in April and 39,700 year-to-date, up 26% and 29%, respectively. Ford’s market share grew by 0.3% to 4.3% in April as well as April year-to-date.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
