Ford posts best monthly sales

MANILA, Philippines - The local unit of American carmaker Ford Motor Co. achieved its best monthly sales in September amid positive market reception for the new EcoSport and other vehicle models in its lineup.

Ford Philippines delivered an all-time record monthly sales performance of 2,010 units in September, 63 percent higher than the 1,231 units sold in the same month last year.

Compared to the firm’s sales of 1,967 units in August, the September result was up by two percent.

The company achieved record monthly sales in September amid continued demand for the new EcoSport compact urban sports utility vehicle (SUV) which had retail sales of 699 units.

The EcoSport, which was launched in April, has become one of Ford’s popular nameplates.

Also driving the record monthly sales were the Ranger pickup and the Explorer SUV.

Retail sales of the Ranger rose 75 percent to 767 units in September from the previous year’s 438 units.

The company sold 78 units of the Explorer in September, a 66 percent increase from the 47 units sold in the same month a year ago.

For the January to September period, the company’s total sales grew 52 percent to 14,564 units this year from 9,591 units sold in the comparable period in 2013.

“Our product-led transformation and expanding Ford showroom in the Philippines is giving customers even more ways to connect with the Ford brand and our segment-leading vehicles,” Ford Philippines managing director Kay Hart said.

To support the growing customer base in the country, the company has continued the expansion of its dealer network.

Following the opening of a new dealership in Baguio last week, the company is also setting up in Alabang and Zamboanga next month.

“Our rapidly growing dealer network in the Philippines underscores our commitment to provide an unmatched customer and ownership experience,” Hart said.

At present, the company has 35 dealerships across the country.

Last year, the firm’s total sales reached 13,286 units, 41 percent higher than in 2012.