STRONG FORD FOCUS SALES LIFT FORD OF EUROPE

[biker16]

STRONG FORD FOCUS SALES LIFT FORD OF EUROPE MARKET SHARE IN MARCH


* 9.8 per cent vehicle share represents highest monthly share achievement since September 2001

* Number one importer in France for March

* March passenger car market leader in Spain

* Highest monthly passenger car share ever in Turkey

COLOGNE, April 11, 2005 – Ford brand vehicles in Europe, led by strong sales of the Ford Focus, reported March retail sales of 188,241 for a 9.8 per cent market share – Ford's highest monthly share since September 2001.

Ford also finished the month with higher passenger car market share of 9.6 per cent, an increase of 0.1 per cent compared to March 2004. Ford's share of the commercial vehicle segment was stable at 10.7 per cent.

"With strong competition and rising incentives, the European car market is in the midst of one of its most challenging periods. But Ford is meeting these headwinds with a steady flow of new products and a great brand," said Geoff Polites, vice president marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe.

Retail sales of the Ford Focus, Ford's most popular car in Europe, jumped 12 per cent to 56,400 in March 2005 versus March 2004. Sales of the Fiesta, Ford's second leading car, rose 5 per cent from March a year ago to 44,300 in March 2005. Strong customer demand for both vehicles resulted in several milestones for the Blue Oval in March. These included: top importer in France; passenger car leader in Spain; sales leadership in Great Britain and Ireland; and 12.5 per cent passenger car share in Turkey, a Ford record.

For March, Ford's total retail sales of 188,241 reflected a decline of 2,800 units. Market share rose slightly to 9.8 per cent. Total vehicle retail sales from January to March 2005 were 410,606 units, roughly 13,600 units, or 3 per cent, below prior year. First quarter market share was 9.0 per cent, down 0.2 points versus the first three months of 2004. The decline is mostly attributable to the fact the Ford Focus wagon has only been available since March.

There were 124,000 Ford Focus units sold in the first three months of 2005, a 7 per cent gain over the 116,400 sold in the first quarter of 2004. Fiesta sales were 94,300, an increase of more than 6,000 units from a year ago, for a gain of 7 per cent.

[blueovalbaboon]

hey biker, can you dig up specifics for England? I was just abt to make a comment abt how while I saw a TON of mk2 foci in RURAL ireland, i've seen less than 5 total in London.

I have noticed more and more fiestas as time has gone by this year tho.

[biker16]

hey biker, can you dig up specifics for England? I was just abt to make a comment abt how while I saw a TON of mk2 foci in RURAL ireland, i've seen less than 5 total in London.

I have noticed more and more fiestas as time has gone by this year tho.

maybe there is alot more money in london, There is alot more congestion in london, there is alot better transit in london.

I saw alot of focuses in london in 2001, but thats 3 years after it was introduced.

[blueovalbaboon]

Yeah, I was just thinking comparatively to the MkV Golf, which I see more of.

[biker16]

Yeah, I was just thinking comparatively to the MkV Golf, which I see more of.

the golf has been around longer. the Focus still outsells the golf in the UK.

[blueovalbaboon]

ah k, thx That answered my question.