Birmingham - Demand for Ford of Europe's range of commercial vehicles is stronger than ever, with first quarter 2008 sales figures revealing individual model increases of up to 20 per cent compared to the same period in 2007.

Ford of Europe is pledging to meet demand during 2008 and beyond by increasing production capacity at its plants.

The strong performance of 370,570 commercial vehicle sales during 2007 resulted in an 11.1 per cent sales increase within the 21 key European markets. This trend is already being continued during the first quarter of 2008 with the blue oval’s small and mid-sized commercial vehicle models contributing to the company’s year-to-date March overall sales increase for both passenger cars and commercials of 3.3 per cent.

All Ford of Europe commercial vehicle model lines have enjoyed all-time record retail sales, resulting in a commercial vehicle market share of 9.7 per cent – the highest since 1998.

The Ford Transit – the International Van of the Year 2007 – remains the best-selling commercial vehicle from Ford with 2007 sales setting a new record of 224,912 within 21 European markets. The strong start to 2008, with sales to the end of March already totalling 58,893 units, signals another very strong year for this iconic model.

The compact Transit Connect, first launched in 2002 and voted International Van of the Year in 2003, continues to be a strong performer for 2008 with sales to the end of March tallying 24,133 units for the 21 key European markets.

The Transit Connect also has the accolade of being the first Ford model to be manufactured at Ford's new manufacturing plant in Craiova, Romania from next year. The Craiova plant is set to be transformed with a 675 million Euro investment and will complement continued production of the Transit Connect in Kocaeli, Turkey.

“We're delighted with Transit Connect's sales performance and we're hoping that we can match or exceed the 2007 sales record of 109,900 units,” said Henrik Nenzen, Director for Marketing, Sales and Service, Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Europe.

“We have a new Transit Connect Sport model joining the range in Europe, plus the vehicle is being eagerly anticipated in North America after being very well received at both the Chicago and New York Auto Shows earlier this year. The company has already announced its launch in selected North American markets from mid-2009," he added.

The recent two-tone colours, styling features and new engine for Ford Ranger have found it a raft of new customers. The high-series Ranger Wildtrak has proven to be especially popular. Sales figures for the key European markets in the first quarter of 2008 were an impressive 20.6 per cent better than the same period in 2007 – at 6,825 units.

Capacity increased to meet demand:
Ford has recognised that in order to meet growing demand particularly from high-growth markets like Russia and Turkey, production needs to be increased. Production capacity of the hugely successful Ford Transit is set to rise by 48,000 units to 291,000 units to accommodate this. The additional units will be built at Ford's plants in Southampton, England and in Kocaeli, Turkey.

Total commercial vehicle production – including Transit Connect and Ranger – will be increased by 12.5 per cent to 439,000 units during 2008.

"The steps we're taking to increase production capacity give our dealers and customers the extra assurance that the Ford Transits they want are available when they're needed," said John Fleming, Ford of Europe President and CEO. "The reception that the Transit Connect Concept received when it was exhibited in America makes us confident that the Transit nameplate is set to be as successful in other territories as it has been to date in Europe."

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Posted by Jigar Gondalia on 15 April, 2008 5:14:56 PM IST #