Ford posts 63% GCC growth in first half 2011

Ford and Lincoln sales during the first half of the year posted an impressive 63 per cent growth in the GCC region over the same period last year. The company continues to see market share growth around the region.

The success has been attributed to soaring consumer demand combined with refreshed, innovative product-lines, growing dealership investments in the region as well as increased demand on the fleet side. 

Ford sedans led the way with a 64 per cent rise in sales. The Ford Taurus, Fusion and Mustang recorded significant growth across all GCC markets; with the popular Taurus registering the biggest increase with a 163 per cent boom during the first half of the year. Ford Fusion followed with an increase of 87 per cent and the legendary Mustang reported a 33 per cent increase in sales across the GCC. 

Trucks and SUVs continued to grow strongly with a 62 per cent increase where F-series stood out with almost tripled sales, and the one-ton Ranger sales nearly doubled. The all-time favorite Ford Explorer registered an impressive 62 per cent increase in sales, with the crossover utility Ford Edge up 64 per cent and full-size SUV Ford Expedition posting 57 per cent growth across GCC. Ford expects this upswing to continue as the all new Explorer arrives in the region during Ramadan.

Hussein Murad, Ford Middle East’s director of Sales said: “Yet again, Ford is going from strength to strength, as proven by our remarkable performance for the first six months. This year certainly illustrates increased consumer confidence in and preference towards Ford products. Customers have given us a clear vote of confidence in our products that are not only world-class and award-winning, but leading in terms of technology and safety, with the richest features package. At Ford, we expect a continued growth trend in the Middle East enabling us to capture a sizeable amount of market share, especially in light of new product launches later this year, including the highly-anticipated all-new Ford Explorer and Ford Focus.”

Once again, Saudi Arabia took the lead in growth, recording 88 per cent total rise in sales for Ford and Lincoln vehicles for the first six months of 2011. Trucks and SUVs remained the best performer for the Kingdom with an impressive 94 per cent increase over the same period last year. Sales in passenger cars also remained strong with a 79 per cent increase.

Kuwait also registered a strong uptick of 29 per cent in the first six months, with a 28 per cent increase in year-to-date car sales, and a 29 per cent boost in truck/SUV sales.

Sales in Bahrain remain high with a 39 per cent increase on last year’s figures, with customers again showing strong preference for trucks/SUVs, accounting for 46 per cent of the rise, with car sales up by 32 per cent.

In the UAE, an overall growth of 14 per cent was realized with passenger cars leading the way with a 27 per cent rise followed by 8 per cent growth in trucks/SUV sales.

Qatar demonstrated a 66 per cent growth in passenger car sales during the period while Oman reported significant sales achievement with Ford Fusion posting a 60 per cent increase. The Ford Taurus also saw sales increase in the Sultanate by 86 per cent.

“As we mark this impressive performance year-to-date, we are confident that this trend will continue to further push our market share gains in the second half of 2011," added Murad. "Together with our dealers we remain completely focused and determined to serve our customers with vehicles that they want with the highest quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value."