FORD RECORDS 10 PCT SALES INCREASE LAST YEAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- Despite the global economic and industry
challenges last year, Ford Motor Company and its distributor, Sime Darby Auto
ConneXion, recorded a 10 per cent sales increase from 2008, by selling 1,826
cars in Malaysia, a senior official said Thursday.

Ford Director of Export and Growth John Fitzpatrick said they sold 1,481
units of Ford Ranger, a 30 per cent increase from 2008, and also registered a 40
per cent increase in Ford Focus sales.

They achieved an impressive 74 per cent increase in the sale of Ford Escape
SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle), he said, adding that the car was also named the
best SUV at the Asean Auto-Car Awards.

Ford Mondeo, the latest edition to the passenger model line-up launched in
December 2009, has been well received by the market.

"Ford was also recognised as the best comeback brand in Malaysia at the
2009 Asian Auto-Vehicle Certification Agency Auto Industry Awards where Sime
Darby Auto ConneXion was commended for introducing a constant stream of new and
better products at competitive prices," he said in a statement.

Fitzpatrick said they are proud of the 2009 performance and the brand's
success in continuing to drive the business forward.

"Our partnership with Sime Darby Auto ConneXion has been a key drive to
Ford's success in Malaysia. Sime Darby continues to improve Ford's brand
strength in the market and provides outstanding value to our customers," he
said.

Fitzpatrick said Ford would continue expanding its investment in new
products with more new launches this year, starting with Focus TDCi this month
and Fiesta later this year.

Ever since it was launched in Europe in October 2008, Ford Fiesta had
received 80 awards globally, some from the Asia-Pacific region, he said.

The car would be produced at Ford's US$500 million facility in Thailand and
would be launched in Malaysia and other Asean countries, he added.
-- BERNAMA


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