FORD KEEPS ITS SEPTEMBER FOCUS NUMBER ONE

[Steve]

FORD KEEPS ITS SEPTEMBER FOCUS ON THE NUMBER ONE SPOT

BRENTWOOD, October 7, 2004 – Market leader Ford remains firm favourite among drivers of cars sporting the new "54" plates. Figures just out give the blue oval a 13.7 per cent share of September's market and 14.5 per cent year-to-date. Highlights of Ford's performance include:

Three Ford models in year-to-date top 10: Focus (1st), Fiesta (3rd) and Mondeo (9th). The September top 10 has the ever-popular Ford Ka city car alongside Focus and Fiesta.

Last month the Ka dominated its segment, accounting for almost 49 per cent of new city cars – a whopping 34 points ahead of its nearest rival.

The top-selling Focus has achieved sales volumes of more than 89,500 units this year – 23,500 cars clear of its second-placed competitor.

September's soft-top enthusiasts hoping for a late summer joined a long list of Ford Streetka fans. Volumes this year are up by more than 10.5 per cent to 5,129 units.

In the commercial vehicle sector, light CVs led the charge. Figures for Transit Connect and Fiesta Van show a massive 50 per cent increase to 13,551 vans sold year-to-date. Their performance, together with iconic Transit, helped Ford lead the total CV market with a 24.6 per cent share.

Private buyers declared Ford Fiesta as their number one. The total sold in September was more than 24 per cent ahead of last year.

Focus and Mondeo were 1st and 2nd best selling diesel cars for the seventh successive month.

Paul Thomas, Ford of Britain managing director, said: "I'm proud of Ford's sales achievements in the crucial month of September, which reflect our position as Britain's favourite vehicle brand. Further new models in the pipeline will give us an even more exciting line up as we go into next year."