While latest figures show car sales for 2009 set to fall to their lowest levels in over 20 years, Ford has strengthened its market position, claiming 14.5% of a market down 62% on last year. Buoyed by sales of Focus and the new Fiesta, the blue oval finished the half year with 6,808 units, ahead of Toyota (6,482) and VW (4,529).
According to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), fewer than 47,000 cars were sold in the first 6 months of the year, compared to over 124,000 in the first half of 2008. Last month’s sales were down 39% on June 2008. However, comparisons are distorted by the VRT change in July 2008.
“Lack of credit and fears over employment have combined to create a market that is operating well below equilibrium. Given a car population of 2 million, our yearly turnover should be above 150,000 units," says Eddie Murphy, MD of Ford Ireland.
In the van sector, the fall-off in general business activity and the credit squeeze contributed to a 75% drop in sales for the first 6 months of 2009. Ford was the leading provider of commercial vehicles, with a 19.2% market share.
