Currently reading: Ford sales down 16.3 per cent
Year-on-year European sales take a further hit in May despite UK scrappage scheme

Ford’s year-on-year European sales figures for May were down 16.3 per cent, despite the positive impact of scrappage schemes in the UK and Spain.

Ford sells cars in 51 European markets and sales were down by 27,000 compared to the 138,500 sold in May 2008.

Ingvar Sviggum, Ford of Europe's head of marketing, sales and service, said: “We are already seeing promising signs that the scrappage bonuses introduced in Spain and the UK in mid-May are beginning to gain traction.

“It’s very important that the scrappage schemes introduced by some countries are continued to support market demand and reduce overall fleet CO2 emissions.”

The UK continued to be Ford’s second largest global market, despite year-on-year sales falling by 8200 to 26,200 in May. Scrappage accounted for 3800 extra registrations for Ford.

Ford recorded its best month for sales in Germany since May 2001, and year-on-year sales were up by 26.9 per cent in May to 29,100.

Like the UK, sales in France and Spain were down, despite the introduction of a scrappage scheme in Spain.

Ford says that the Fiesta and Ka have been the biggest beneficiaries of the scrappage scheme, with the models selling 39,200 and 9400 units in May respectively.

Mark Tisshaw

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