Ford sales grow in Europe

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday its sales in 19 European markets grew 12.8 percent in October compared with a year ago.

"This is the strongest October we've had in Europe for 12 years, and it shows we must be doing the right thing in the eyes of our customers," said Ingvar Sviggum, Ford of Europe's vice president of marketing, sales and service told the Detroit News.

"The key is having the right products at the right time for our customers, and this is why we're now the clear No .2 best-selling brand in the European auto industry," Sviggum said.

While holding onto a 9.1 percent market share in Europe, Ford has sold 1.2 million vehicles there in 2009, a decline of 3 percent from 2008, but less of a decline than competitors experienced, the News said.

Sviggum warned there were challenges ahead. "Given the ongoing weakness in the European market, further actions are needed at both the national and EU level to help bolster consumer confidence and demand," he said.