Ford Sales Forge Ahead 5% in ASEAN Region in 2015

A record performance in Malaysia last year helped drive Ford sales up more than 5% to 100,824 units in the ASEAN region.

The blue oval’s Malaysian deliveries jumped 31% to 13,938 units and there were record performances in the Philippines (20,341 units), Vietnam (13,988), Cambodia and Myanmar.

Ford’s combined sales in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos rose 31% to 2,161 units.

Thailand continued to be Ford’s regional market leader with sales of 38,087 units as its market share rose 0.5 percentage points to 4.4%.

The Star newspaper in Malaysia reports that driving Ford’s ASEAN sales was the Thai-built Ford Ranger, which was the best-selling pickup truck last year in the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar, and the second-best seller in Malaysia.

Ford’s ASEAN sales were boosted by the launch of the all-new EcoSport compact urban SUV which became Ford’s second best-selling nameplate in Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, with 18,149 units sold.

Ford Malaysia says it finished 2014 on a high note with December sales up 52% year-on-year to a record 1,432 units, capping off its best-ever quarter with sales rising 22% to 3,721.

“As our momentum continues to grow, we’ve expanded our appeal to more new-to-Ford customers than ever before, right across the country, enabling back-to-back record sales years,” David Westerman, managing director-Ford Malaysia and Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, says in a statement.

Ranger sales jumped 49% in Malaysia to 8,577 units as December deliveries climbed 69% to a record 996. Fiesta deliveries rose 24% for the year to 3,119 units.

The EcoSport compact urban SUV, launched in the second half of the year, contributed sales of 353 units, while the Kuga SUV sold 882 and the Focus 939.

To support the growing customer base, Ford and partner Sime Darby Auto Connexion will invest RM140 million ($39.3 million) over the next two years to add three new Ford dealerships to the 490-outlet network.

Existing dealerships will continue to be upgraded to Ford’s “3S”global standards – incorporating sales, service and spare parts under one roof. More Quick Lane outlets will open in 2015 to provide customers with quick, convenient and high-quality service, adding to the nine outlets introduced in 2014.