“We are extremely pleased with our first half performance, which reflects the continued confidence and excitement among consumers for our world-class Ford vehicles,” said FGP President Randy Krieger. “The improving economy coupled with a strong business and great products helped to realise all the hard work and contributions from our entire FGP team.”

Through the first six months, sales of Ford vehicles rose 20 percent from the same period a year ago, while Mazda vehicles maintained their collective zoom-zoom trajectory, with an increase of 77 percent year-over-year.

The Ford Everest continued to lead Ford brand vehicle sales through the first half, rising 25 percent from a year ago to 1,065 units, with June sales rising more than 39 percent from the previous month.

Escape delivered an impressive 36 percent year-over-year sales increase through June to 834 units. This highlights a positive upward monthly sales trend for Escape, whose June sales rose 54 percent from the previous month.

The Ford Focus also turned in a strong first half, with sales that increased 21 percent from the same period last year to 425 units. The continued popularity of the Ford Focus 2.0L TDCi with PowerShift automotive transmission, which accounts for one-third of Focus sales, helped drive the performance.

“We're confident for sales to remain strong through the second half of the year, which will be led by the upcoming and highly-anticipated launch of the new Ford Fiesta,” explained Krieger.

Locally-produced vehicles buoy Ford Export Programme
Still holding its position as the first and only volume exporter of CBU vehicles in the Philippines, FGP exported 8.3 percent more vehicles (3,892 vehicles) in the first half of 2010 versus same period last year.

Ford Focus, Ford Escape and Mazda3 have been manufactured at the Ford Motor Company Philippines (FMCP) plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, since 2002 for export to ASEAN markets that include Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

A number of factors have contributed to the success of the export programme, including Ford's highly-skilled, world-class Filipino workforce; the company's stringent adherence to quality; and cost efficiency of its operations supported by the adoption of international best practices in manufacturing technology, quality management and safety.

“We are delighted with the progress of our CBU export programme and as the only domestic manufacturer with a CBU export programme. We remain committed to delivering high quality vehicles to our neighbouring ASEAN markets,” added Krieger.