Ford and Lincoln's YTD GCC sales shoot Up 57% fuelled by increasing customer preference of its quality, smart products

Ford and Lincoln sales during the first nine months of the year posted a growth of 57 per cent in the GCC over the same period last year. According to Ford Middle East's managing director, more and more customers are choosing vehicles equipped with Ford's latest technologies.

"Over the past few years, Ford has continuously set the industry benchmark, bringing high-end technologies to the mainstream market and raising the ownership experience to new levels," said Larry Prein. "More and more customers are choosing Ford thanks to its strong new products, and this is helping us grow stronger and gain market share across the region."

Speaking to the media during the company's press conference at the opening of GITEX Technology Week, Hussein Murad, Ford Middle East's director of Sales said: "Ford continues to grow in the GCC and this year the results have been outstanding. Clearly, our customers realise the levels of quality, technology and value our new products offer and they are choosing Ford."

Ford is the official automotive partner of GITEX for the fourth consecutive year, this time featuring the all-new Ford Explorer. The mid-size SUV brings a new set of technologies to the scene, including the 4WD Terrain Management System, Active Park Assist, and the world's first inflatable rear-seat belts and Curve Control.

"Ford set the tone on driver-assist technologies with the new Taurus two years ago, then the new Edge took driver connectivity to different dimensions last year, and now with the all-new Explorer, Ford takes customer expectations of a 4WD vehicle to different levels altogether. We are confident the new Explorer will capture the hearts and minds of GCC customers from day-one," Murad added.

In the sedans category, both Taurus and Fusion recorded tremendous growth with the Ford flagship doubling its volume year to date, over the same period last year. The Fusion registered a 130 per cent hike thanks to its growing appeal with the younger audiences, while the Ford Fiesta recorded a 120 per cent increase in sales, followed by the Mustang with a 75 per cent increase.

Sales of the new Edge crossover grew by 70 per cent in the same period, while the F-150 truck's volume doubled. Both models were all-new for the 2011 model year featuring new powertrain and class exclusive technologies such as MyFord Touch and electric power assisted steering. On the capability side, Ford's full-size SUV, the Expedition continued the growth momentum with a whopping 130 per cent jump.

Two-digit growth was recorded across the GCC for Ford, with the UAE witnessing a 37 per cent increase year to date, while Saudi Arabia and Kuwait saw 74 per cent and 32 per cent increases, respectively. Bahrain also saw a 53 per cent hike, while Qatar filed a 41 per cent increase, and Oman maintained an encouraging performance.

"Clearly Ford’s smart cars, crossovers and trucks continue winning over consumers in the marketplace," said Prein. "Customers value the new technologies we're bringing them. And this trend promises to continue well over the fourth quarter and beyond as our lineup gets richer with the introduction of innovative and dynamic products such as the all-new Ford Explorer which I trust customers will agree, sets the benchmark yet again for its category exactly as it did 20 years ago."

For those wanting to experience the all-new Explorer real-time, Ford will dedicate a special demo area in the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre's Plaza where visitors will have the opportunity to experience the intelligent four-wheel-drive and its innovative technologies.