By Paul McVeigh

Ford of Europe said sales in its main 51 markets rose by 1.9 percent to 1,003,700 in the first half of this year.

 

Ford's sales in its core 19 European markets were down 1.3 cent to 823,400 vehicles.

 

The UK was Ford's biggest European market with unit sales rising 16.2 percent to 235,500.

 

Ford's sales increased 5.8 percent in Germany to 118,500 and by 13.7 percent in France to 80,900. In Spain, Ford sales rose by 0.5 percent.

 

Sales in Russia were also up. Russian sales increased 19.8 percent to 97,300. Turkey improved by 3.8 percent to 38,700.

 

Ingvar Sviggum, Ford of Europe's head of marketing, sales and service, said: "With the new Kuga compact crossover currently arriving in European dealerships and the all-new Fiesta going into production next month, we have prepared the ground to further improve our market position."

From: Automotive News Europe