Ford Sollers increases its global car sales by 21%
January 22, 2018
Moscow, January 22, 2018 — Ford Sollers reports that in 2017 the company’s export sales increased by 21%, compared to 2016. 1018 vehicles were delivered to export markets. The most exported vehicle was Ford Focus.
Subcompact crossover Ford EcoSport (133 vehicles, + 280%, compared to 2016) took the highest jump in 2017. The popularity of the crossover Ford Kuga (118 vehicles, + 74%) and Ford Focus, the sales leader (350 vehicles, + 59%), has grown significantly. Last year, 233 LCVs Ford Transit were delivered abroad, including their special releases (+23% to the 2016 indicators).
Currently, all models produced at Ford Sollers in Russia are exported to Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. The compact Ford Fiesta sedans and hatchbacks, Ford Focus C-class sedans, station wagons and hatchbacks, Ford Mondeo business-sedans, Ford EcoSport and Ford Kuga crossovers, Ford Explorer 7-passenger off-the-road vehicle and Ford Transit light commercial vehicles are presented in the export markets.
Ford Focus is the sales leader both in Russia (34% of total sales) and abroad where its share is higher than in the domestic market. Although the former republics of the USSR, like Russia, have been affected by the worldwide growth trend of crossovers’ popularity, the subcompact crossover Ford EcoSport (13%), rather than Ford Kuga (12%), ranks second in sales among light vehicles, despite the latter competing in Russia with Ford Focus for the right to be popular. Also, the positions of urban compacts Ford Fiesta (9%) are quite strong, which, due to localization of the model production in Russia, can be purchased not only in the hatchback body offered in Europe, but also as a practical sedan with a large luggage compartment. Traditionally, LCVs Ford Transit is in high demand — both standard model modifications and tailored releases for special business needs, developed with the participation of the Ford Sollers R&D center. Ford Transit accounts for 23% of all Ford Sollers export sales.
JV Ford Sollers delivers abroad not only finished products. Last October Russian suppliers launched the delivery of components for the production of the renewed Ford EcoSport in Romania. The plant in Craiova receives from Russia stamped body panels, glasses, interior elements, weather strips etc. (47 items in total).
Source: Ford Sollers