March sales figures the best since 2007, Ford says

While the total market view continued to soften with a 2.1% decline in sales, Ford posted its best retail month since March 2007, climbing 18.1% on the same month last year. Combined Ford and Mazda sales also boasted FMCSA's best retail month since March 2008 as the company broke through the 5000 vehicle barrier en route to a top-three sales position overall.

Continued strong sales performance

"We're thrilled at the continued strong sales performance recorded by all our nameplates," said FMCSA's vice-president marketing, sales and service, Dean Stoneley. "Ford Ranger, Fiesta, and Kuga boasted sales records, while Figo continued to hold sixth position in passenger car sales and Transit upset the LCV market in the lead up to launch."

Ford sold the most Rangers (1818) in March since introduction, while the most Fiestas since December 2010 were sold last month. The upgraded Ford Kuga's ultra-competitive price positioning helped double the usual volume to 286 units.

New vehicle sales ended March on 54 946 units according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa), 3.2% ahead of February but 2.1% behind March 2012. The Passenger Car segment was down 3.6%, while Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales were up 1.3%.

"FMCSA continues to dominate sales growth in South Africa," said Stoneley. "We posted our highest market share this year, the second month in double digits. And we are virtually 900 units ahead of our average monthly sales volume in 2012. We have exciting new products, excellent new drivetrains like Ecoboost, all of which are making the market take notice of Ford and Mazda products."