OREANDA-NEWS. Ford Thailand recently announced first quarter retail sales that rose 29 percent over the same period a year ago to 8,653 units. Strong sales were driven by demand for the recently launched new Everest mid-size SUV and segment-defining Ranger pickup truck.

Ford’s sales gains come amid a protracted industry downturn in Thailand where overall sales are declining for the fourth consecutive year. Ford continued to outperform the industry through March, helping its overall market share in the first quarter increase by 1.4 percent over a year ago to 4.8 percent.  

“We continue to make significant progress on our plan,” said Yukontorn ‘Vickie’ Wisadkosin, managing director, Ford Thailand. “Particularly with the success of global Ford vehicles like the Ranger and Everest that offer segment-defining smart features, powerful engines and advanced connectivity and technology.”

Ranger remains the best-selling Ford nameplate in Thailand with total first quarter sales jumping 33 percent year over year to 6,647 units. Ranger is also outperforming the overall pickup truck segment in Thailand, capturing 8.2 percent of the segment in the first quarter, up from its 2015 full-year segment share of 7.3 percent.

Strong demand for Ranger across the region prompted Ford to invest an additional $186 million in its Ford Thailand Manufacturing for incremental production volume. Ranger is currently built at the company’s AutoAlliance Thailand facility, which is forecast to operate at or near maximum capacity for the foreseeable future.

The new Everest also contributed to Ford’s first quarter performance with total sales of 1,420 units, representing nearly eight percent share of the mid-sized SUV segment.

The Everest – the 2015 Thailand Car of the Year – is helping to transform customer expectations with its blend of capability, exceptional ride quality and dynamic handling. Everest is also equipped with a host of advanced technologies that offer outstanding safety, connectivity and convenience.

The completely redesigned and re-engineered Focus recently made its debut at the Bangkok International Motor Show. Featuring a 1.5L EcoBoost Turbo engine, the new Focus is more sophisticated, more dynamic and packed with advanced technologies.

“We expect the new Focus to give our momentum another boost through the second half of the year, as well as new 2016 variants of the EcoSport and Fiesta with E85 gasohol compatibility that we recently introduced,” said Yukontorn.

“We’re also continuing to further expand of our retail footprint with more new Ford dealerships in key locations across Thailand,” she added. “This is helping the Ford brand become more accessible than ever, while helping to further enhance our Ford customer and ownership experience.”