BRENTWOOD, England – Strong sales of Ford's total vehicle range boosted its UK sales leadership in April with increased sales and share recorded for the month, compared with April 2010.  The Fiesta was first in car sales while the Transit continued its reign as the best-selling commercial vehicle (CV).

Official figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that total UK car sales in April, compared with April 2010, were down 7.4 per cent to 137,746 units.  Ford car sales of 18,411 were down from 19,216 in April 2010 but it's share of total car sales was 13.4 per cent, up from 12.9 per cent in April 2010.

Ford's continuing strength in retail car sales was indicated by an April retail market share of 12.8 per cent, up from 10.5 per cent in April 2010.  For the year to date Ford share of retail car sales was 13.1 per cent, increased from 11.9 per cent compared with the same period in 2010.

Transit increased sales in April from 2,275 to 3,875 compared with April 2010, while for the year to date sales were up from 13,626 to 20,099 and its medium CV share increased from 23.8 to 25.5 per cent, compared with the same period in 2010.  Total Ford CV sales increased in April from 3,310 to 4,928, compared with April 2010 and year to date have increased from 19,189 to 25,596, compared with the same period last year.

Nigel Sharp, Ford of Britain managing director, said: "The UK market continues to be intensely competitive and we are maintaining our discipline to strike an appropriate balance between sales/share and business profitability.  Ford's outstanding vehicle range helps in achieving that balance, proving its strong customer appeal by the significant, ongoing growth in retail market share."