Ford Vietnam’s full-year 2013 sales soar 71pc

The exceptional performance made Ford in top 3 and being one of the fastest-growing automotive brands in the country last year and helped lead anoverall recovery of Vietnam’s auto industry in 2013.

Ford finished the strong year on a high-note year with December retail sales rising 39 per cent to 1,008 units – its best monthly performance since December 2011.

“We enjoyed sustained momentum throughout 2013 as we expanded our Vietnam showroom with even more global Ford vehicles, and we’re excited and proud to finish off the year with such a strong December performance,”said Jesus Metelo Arias, managing director of Ford Vietnam.

Exceptional demand for theFord Transit contributed to its best-ever monthly and full-year performances, andended the year as the leader of Vietnam’s commercial van segment. December sales of Transit rose 115 percent year-over-year to 290 units, and 2013 sales soared 172 per cent to 2,108 units -its best-ever full-year performance.

The rugged and versatile all-new Ford Ranger was also number one overall in its segment in Vietnam. Ranger achieved its best-ever monthly performance in December with sales that increased 88 per cent year-over-year to 278 units, while full-year sales rose an extraordinary 189 per cent year-on-year to 1,833 units.

“We’re proud of the segment leadership of both the Transit and all-new Ranger, and their success in 2013 shows how we’re connecting with and serving a wide range of new customers as wecontinue to build the Ford brand in Vietnam,” said Arias.

The technology-packed all-new Focus enjoyed its best month since its launch with sales of 113 units, as Vietnamese consumers discovered its advanced, segment-first technologies includingActive Park Assist, Active City Stop and Blind Spot Information System. For the full year, Focus sales rose 37 per cent year-over-year to 1,209 units.

The launch of the new Fiesta featuring Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine – named “International Engine of the Year” for two consecutive years in 2012 and 2013 – helped to boost the appeal of this segment leading small car.The popular Fiesta delivered full-year retail sales of 847 units.

“Our aim with the new Fiesta was to take a popular car that was already a segment leader in fuel efficiency, performance and personality, and make it even better,” said Arias. “The new Fiesta continues to push the boundaries, sealing its credentials as the small car that truly stands out from the competition.”

Ford’s sales success in Vietnam extended to its growing range of SUVs, as full-year retail sales of the Ford Escape compact SUV increased 56 per cent to 845 units. The popular Everest family SUV achieved December sales that jumped37 per cent year-over-year to141 units, helping full-year retail sales rise 41 per cent to 1,319 units.

Ford will further expand its SUV lineup in 2014 with the launch of the all-new Ford EcoSport urban SUV.

“With the launch of the all-new EcoSport, we’ll be able to offer Vietnamese consumers an even wider lineup of SUVs, further expanding our showroom, and continuing our successful product-led transformation,”explained Arias.

Ford also continued to expand its nationwide dealer network in 2013, adding two new dealerships bringing the total number of dealer locations in Vietnam to 24.

The company also continued to further enhance its customer service experience last year with the launch of Quality Care for Body Shop, Quick Service and Schedule Maintenance Package initiatives.

“We’re absolutely committed to growing our business and welcoming more new-to-Ford customers to our dealers across Vietnam. By focusing on maintaining high quality while expanding our network, we’re working hard to ensure that our customers enjoy the best customer service experience,” said Arias.