Ford Middle East announced on Monday that it posted a 23 percent growth in sales across the GCC markets during 2008. The robust growth was led primarily by SUVs and trucks which sold 40 percent more than last year, while passenger cars sales grew 10 percent across the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands. For 2009, the company remains focused on successfully advancing its product-led transformation plan by delivering all-new segment-leading quality products that customers want, featuring outstanding fuel economy, unique technologies and innovations. “Ford has registered encouraging growth levels in the GCC during the past few years and 2008 is no different, thanks to the outstanding support and confidence that our dealers have put into our brands and the business,” said Waldo Galan, managing director of Ford Middle East. “But ultimately we owe this success to our customers who put their trust in our products, as they continue to realize the exceptional value that Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products offer, coupled with the outstanding support that our dealers provide throughout their dealerships,” he said. Galan added: “We recognize the economic challenges currently facing us, but thanks to our careful planning we are positioned to stay focused on our roadmap to deliver quality, fuel efficiency, safety, and technology in cars that our customers want and value. We are more confident than ever that we have the right plan, the right products and the right partners to withstand these challenging times and be well positioned for profitable growth in the future.” Saudi Arabia emerged as a major growth market for Ford, recording an overall growth of 40 percent over 2007, driven by nearly 50 percent increase in sales of trucks and SUV's across all three brands. The growth was further fuelled by increased dealership representation across the Kingdom with Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co, the Ford and Lincoln importer-dealer. Their dedication to the Brand as well as their relentless drive for self improvement, customer satisfaction and functional facility development throughout the Kingdom, have allowed them to achieve record breaking sales levels in 2008. Haji Hussein Alireza, the Mercury importer-dealer has also added new facilities under their banner. Their continued focus on growing the business and the complete satisfaction of the Mercury consumer, have also yielded significant year over year sales improvements and have achieved their highest sales ever with Mercury in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “We enjoy a great relationship with our dealers. They are the best in the business bar none,” added Galan. “The significance of these investments lies precisely in the joint dedication of Ford and its dealers to our customers here. We are thrilled to witness this demonstration of confidence of both Al Jazirah Vehicles and HHA in the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands, and we commend them for their ongoing support and commitment to growing our customer base.” __
