Ford Thailand sales jump 50% in first quarter
Ford Thailand on Thursday said its first-quarter sales jumped 50 per cent year over year to 12,938 vehicles, driven by continued strength in demand for the Ranger pickup and its Everest and EcoSport SUVs.
The strong first quarter allowed Ford to continue outpacing the overall Thai industry, and boost its total market share for the quarter to 6.2 per cent, up 1.4 percentage points from the same quarter last year.
“We continue to make significant progress in Thailand, particularly with the success of Ranger, which continues to increase its share of the highly competitive pickup truck segment,” said Narong Sritalayon, deputy managing director, Ford Thailand.
The Ranger remains Ford’s flagship model in Thailand, with its first quarter sales increasing 58 per cent year-on-year to 10,482 vehicles. Ranger sales accounted for 11.3 per cent of Thailand’s pickup truck segment in the first quarter, up from 8.2 per cent from a year ago.
In March, the “Built Ford Tough” Ranger delivered record monthly sales and segment share, as retail sales soared 76 per cent to 4,524 vehicles for 12.6 per cent of the pickup truck segment for the month.
The full Ranger lineup in Thailand includes 24 different models, from its high-series Wildtrak and premium version of its XLT variant, the Ranger FX4, to four additional Ranger XL and XLS variants – providing great customer choice and meeting a wide-range of work and recreational needs.
The popular Everest mid-size SUV contributed to Ford’s first quarter performance with total sales that increased 24 per cent to 1,764 vehicles, and capturing 12 per cent share of its segment for the quarter.
Ford says the Everest redefines consumer expectations for a mid-sized SUV with its bold design and refined interior, off-road capability with on-road comfort.
The Everest has advanced driver-assist technologies that included Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning System, Lane Keeping System, Auto High Beam Control and Driver Alert System.
The EcoSport compact SUV also contributed to Ford’s quarterly performance with sales rising 27 per cent year-on-year to 463 vehicles. The EcoSport, which is E85 compatible, combines small-car practicality and the agility of an SUV.