Ford bucks the trend with rising CV sales

Ford’s CV sales have risen in the first three months of the year, against the overall trend. The van market is down 3.7 per cent on last year, according to figures from the Motor Manufacturers and Traders for the first three months of 2018.

The largest sector of the market, between 2.5-3.5 tonnes, was down 6.8 per cent, but this was offset by a 2.1 per cent rise in the 2-2.5 tonne sector.

Market leader Ford, said that its Ford CV sales and share up significantly, with year-to-date market share at over 35 per cent. Chairman Andy Barratt said: “We achieved our highest monthly CV sales on record, further strengthening our leadership position. It’s an exciting time as we begin the launch of our new CV range, starting with Transit Custom and, later this month, the unveil of the new Transit Connect and Transit Courier at the CV show.

However, the overall fall in the market concerned SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes, who said: “A decline in the important plate change month of March is a concern and we need the right economic conditions to restore market stability and encourage buyers to invest in new commercial vehicles. The new van market is a key barometer of business confidence and while uncertainty remains, a degree of fluctuation in demand is to be expected this year.”