Ford's continued popularity surge among private customers has driven retail sales up three per cent in 2007, according to latest figures.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) confirmed the rise in Ford vehicles registered this year to retail customers.  In January to November, Ford Focus and Mondeo models led the growth in retail business – up by almost 4,000 cars on the same period last year.

When fleet sales to company car buyers, and commercial vehicle registrations, are added, the SMMT revealed that a total of 416,118 new Fords went on the road this year – over 4,300 up on last year and accounting for 15.8 per cent of the total vehicle market.

Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said:  "We are having a great year with new Ford models seducing car buyers.  This year will close very solidly for us as the new Ford Mondeo remains such hot property, while 2008 brings the new Ford Focus, swiftly followed by the innovative Ford Kuga.

"Ford's UK business is strengthening, helped by a stream of new product launches continuing unabated next year.  Ford is growing retail market share and improving its appeal to fleet customers through improved residual values and reduced whole life vehicle costs."

Other Ford models that are improving the footprint of Ford's UK business are the Ford Galaxy and Ford S-MAX, with combined sales enjoying an 85 per cent leap since November 2006.  CAP declared that a "56" plate Ford S-MAX 1.8 TDCi retains a remarkable 81.6 per cent of its new value after one year/12,000 miles, according to the leading independent residual value expert.

Demand for the UK-built Ford Transit, which makes up the majority of the company's CV sales, has led to extra production at the Southampton assembly plant.  The front-wheel drive Transit model has played a notable part in this success – their sales rose 800 vehicles this year.