Ford wary of scrappage ending

Ford expects its new car sales to be hit in 2010 when pan-European scrappage schemes are withdrawn across the continent.

Ford of Europe is currently forecasting a drop in sales of around two million units on 2009’s figures to around 13 to 14.5 million units.

No more scrappage extensions

Ingvar Sviggum, the firm’s head of marketing, sales and service, said in a statement that 2010 was currently “something of an unknown quantity” for the firm and it called on the EU and national governments to take action to ensure there isn’t a drastic drop in new car sales.

“Given the ongoing weakness in the European market, further actions are needed at both the national and EU level to help bolster consumer confidence and demand,” he said.

In October, Ford’s market share of 8.8 per cent in its main 19 European markets was its highest since 1997. Year-on-year sales were up 13 per cent, sales which were bolstered by the success of scrappage schemes.

Ford’s German sales, up 33 per cent on October 2008 to 6000 units, were its best October sales since 1998. The firm was market leader in the UK, Hungary and Ireland, with the Fiesta being its best seller, shifting 41,300 units.

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