Ford GCC sales surge by 50pct in 2011

The Ford and Lincoln brands capped 2011 with robust sales, crossing the 65,000 unit mark and registering a 50 per cent rise across the GCC, buoyed by increased consumer demand, Ford Middle East said in a statement.

Ford Middle East’s director of Sales, Hussein Murad said that Ford continued to witness increasing consumer preference throughout the region and that confidence in its products was on an unprecedented high as shown by the increasing share of retail sales over fleet, with nearly 65 per cent of total sales.

The company said Ford Explorer, Expedition and Edge led the truck and SUV sales with 63 per cent rise in 2011 versus 2010. Passenger cars followed closely with a 55 per cent increase led by Ford Taurus, Fusion and Focus.

In the UAE, Ford and Lincoln sales posted 35 per cent growth in 2011 where passenger cars recorded a 50 per cent growth. Best sellers included the Taurus, Mustang, Fusion and Ford's all-new small car, Figo. Meanwhile, trucks and SUVs registered a 20 per cent increase, driven by increased demand on Edge, Escape, the new Explorer, Expedition and F-Series trucks. Lincoln’s new-gen crossovers, the MKX and MKT were also among the well-performing models in the UAE having achieved a double digit growth.

Ford Middle East remains positive for 2012with the strengthened network expansions and major regional investments such as the opening of its Middle East Regional Parts Distribution Centre in Jebel Ali, to help support the growing customer base and dealerships of Ford and Lincoln in the region.

This year, Ford sees further expansions and additional facilities in the region, including an office setup in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Other expansions are also planned in Iraq and other parts of the region.

Ford is all geared up with its 2012 offering led by the all-new 2012 Ford Focus and the all-new Ford Ranger 1-tonne pickup truck joining the tough line up of Ford trucks. New-generation Ford models such as the all-new Ford Explorer, Edge, Taurus, Mustang are also seen to boost 2012 sales.