Ford’s January sales in Europe up 9.8 percent

Ford Motor Co. on Thursday said its Europe sales rose 9.8 percent in January, compared to the same period a month ago, as market share rose 0.2 percentage points.

The Dearborn Automaker sold 88,700 vehicles in Europe last month, up nearly 10 percent and outpacing the industry growth of 6.5 percent. Sales were paced by the all-new Mondeo, whose sales rose 29 percent year-over-year.

Ford’s total vehicle market share rose to 7.7 percent last month, its largest share since 2012.

“More important than simply increasing our market share is that we have achieved this through improved sales on the higher value retail side of the business,” Roelant de Waard, vice president, marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe, said in a statement. “Our investment in new product and technologies is really paying off, and we will see much more to come on this front in what will be one of the busiest years ever for Ford in terms of new vehicle introductions in Europe.”

Ford said January was its best Kuga sales month in Europe since the SUV’s launch in 2008. Sales of the EcoSport compact SUV were the highest since its launch in the middle of last year.

Sales of its Transit family of vans was the highest January since 2008.

Ford maintained its position as the No. 2 vehicle brand in Europe last month, and was also the second most popular passenger car and commercial vehicle brand.

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