Customers show their preference for Ford as regional sales increase

Ford Middle East saw a 20 per cent jump in total sales for January to October 31 this year, with nameplates in all categories beating forecasts and customers responding enthusiastically to the Ford promise of value, service and product innovation.

Waldo Galan, managing director of Ford Middle East, said: "It's great to see nameplates throughout our line-up recording higher sales, as this shows the growing confidence of Middle East customers in the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands and the strength of our product portfolio in the region.

"There is impressive growth in all product categories across the three brands. This is a great platform on which to kick off a busy programme of new launches in the coming months, including revamped models and brand new extensions to the Ford, Mercury and Lincoln family that will increase Ford's product choice to the consumer even more."

Hussein Murad, Ford Middle East's Sales & Marketing director added: "Whether it's a small car, a family sedan, a corporate fleet vehicle or a full-size SUV, Ford offers choice and value and the service excellence of a world-class dealer network. Ford's youth-focused line-up and marketing are striking a chord with regional customers, and it's clear we have got our business model in the right gear."

Ford's strength in SUVs is making itself felt in the Middle East more than ever. Regional sales of the Ford Explorer were up 20 per cent, and the world's best selling SUV is also one of the safest with 10 advanced safety technologies offered as standard on the 2006 model.

The Mercury Mountaineer saw sales rocket 84 per cent from January to October, and the Lincoln Navigator full-size SUV recorded a 30 per cent sales jump. With V6 power and car-like handling, the Ford Escape compact SUV showed a nearly 15 per cent sales increase over the same period.

Murad added: "Ford's truck heritage is second to none and our SUVs draw heavily from the tough styling and engineering of the F-Series, the best selling truck in the United States for 29 years. The new 2007 Expedition and the all-new, longer wheelbase Expedition EL will arrive in showroom forecourts across the region shortly, as Ford ups the ante in the full-size SUV category it pioneered and responds to growing demand for comfortable, capable and safe SUVs."

Voted Car of the Year in North America and Europe, the Ford Focus is also earning the plaudits in the Middle East. Focus sales for January to October end were up 60 per cent compared to the same period in 2005, and the C-segment leader's restyled body shape has proved a big hit with small car fans in the region.

The award-winning Mondeo, built in Belgium, brought European styling and driving dynamics to the Middle East's mid-size segment, and the Mondeo achieved more than 40 per cent sales growth from January to October end this year.

The Mondeo's reliability and low cost of ownership have made it a popular choice with fleet buyers. Qatari transport provider Mowasalat recently purchased 1,000 Mondeos to reinvigorate its taxi and limousine fleet, as well as 675 Ford Explorer SUVs, Crown Victoria sedans and Freestar minivans. The Ford Freestar posted a sales increase of 72 per cent from January to October end this year.

More established nameplates like the Ford Crown Victoria full-size sedan are still experiencing buoyant demand. A hot seller especially in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the Crown Victoria delivered 10 per cent growth over the same period, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the Crown Victoria's combination of size, comfort and V8 power.

The high performance Mondeo ST220 is attracting drivers demanding a greater sense of adventure behind the wheel, and the legendary Ford Mustang offers an intoxicating mix of muscle car styling and raw power. The Mustang saw sales accelerate by nearly 30 per cent from January to the end of October.

Waldo Galan concluded: "Our access to the latest vehicles from Ford's manufacturing bases in Europe, North America and Asia means we can offer customers amazing diversity in terms of design, capability, comfort and performance. Ford offers a sensible, tried-and-tested nameplate like the Focus and at the same time a free spirit powerhouse like the Mustang, or a capable workhorse such as the 1-ton Ranger pickup truck - very few manufacturers offer the same level of opportunity in this market."