Ford sees surge in demand

According to the American auto-maker, the ageing Ranger pickup contributed to the strong performance, with sales rising 63 per cent compared to the same month last year to 784 units, as buyers concerned about the lengthy flooding in Thailand snapped up vehicles considered more capable in deep water.

Ford dealers also shifted 106 Everest PPV units during November, a 63-per-cent increase from last year.

Despite the 1.6-litre model not qualifying for Thailand’s First Car Buyer programme, the Fiesta also delivered another robust month, with 1,043 units being sold in November.

“We are particularly pleased by our strong sales performance in November, which was an extremely difficult time for many Thai people who were affected by the flooding across large areas of the country,” said Saroj Kiatfuengfoo, vice president, marketing, sales and service, Ford Thailand.

While Ford’s joint-venture production facility AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT), located in Rayong, was not in a flood-affected area, production was temporarily halted due to supply disruptions. However, all production has since resumed. 

“Ford Thailand is gearing up for a strong finish to 2011 following the public launch of the All-New Ford Ranger, which has drawn large crowds at the Thailand International Motor Expo 2011. The class-leading features of the Ranger were again highlighted on a fuel efficiency drive in November, during which it travelled an exceptional 1,673 kilometres on a single tank of gas, averaging a stunning 19.47 km/litre over the entire return-journey between Bangkok and Phatthalung,” Saroj said.

“The All-New Ranger has really captured the attention of the Thai public, and we are extremely confident it will quickly become a leader in the pickup truck segment,” he added.