The official figures released by the SMMT show that total car sales in July were up 9.3% to 143,884 units, compared with July 2011. Ford car sales of 18,527 were up 1.6%, from 18,245 in July 2011.  For the year to date (end July) total UK car sales were 1,201,564 up, 3.5% compared with 2011, while Ford car sales for this period in 2012 were 168,905, up 3.8% compared with 2011.

The Ford Fiesta heads the automaker’s strong car sales performance, which was again the best seller for the month as well as for the year to date.  Ford Fiesta sales for the year to date have increased from 58,338 to 67,103, compared with the same period in 2011, and its car market share is up from 5.1 to 5.6%.

Ford’s car sales were up across its range in July and, as well as the Fiesta, Ford Ka, Ford C-MAX, Ford Kuga, Ford Mondeo, Ford S-MAX and the Ford Galaxy all recorded sales increases in July, compared with July 2011. 

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain managing director, said:  ‘Despite fierce competition Ford’s UK market lead remains solid with car and commercial sales increasing in July.

‘Propelling the increase in car share through 2012 has been a cascade of new and technologically exciting Ford products, including the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine in Focus, which is accounting for 30% of that model’s registrations, while the new Focus ST and B-MAX are poised for customer deliveries during the important September sales month.  Also on its way is the much acclaimed new Ford Transit and Tourneo and there is still more Ford product news to come,’ he added.

Ford’s total CV sales were up in July, increasing from 5,436 in July 2011 to 5,806 this year.  Ford medium commercials, headed by the industry-leading Ford Transit, have accounted for 31.6% of sales in that segment for the year to date, up from 28.3% in 2011.  In July, Ford medium commercials accounted for 34.6% of sales in the segment, up from 31.1% in July 2011.

Ford Transit’s position as the UK’s best-selling commercial vehicle remains unchallenged: Transit holds 17.6% of the CV market for the year to date compared with 5.6% for its nearest challenger.  In July, Transit accounted for 18.7% of the total CV market.