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A record month in Russia and strong sales in Germany and France and helped Ford of Europe increase sales by eight percent in April.

The automaker achieved sales of 161,140 across Europe including Russia and Turkey during the month, up from 149,400 for the same month in 2007.

Sales volume grew in 14 of Ford's 19 main European markets, although sales fell in Greece, Spain, Italy and Hungary and Ireland.

Sales in the UK, Ford's biggest European market, increased by 675 units to 32,523.

"It is particularly pleasing to note our performances in France and Germany where sales were up 27 percent and 25 percent respectively," Ingvar Sviggum, Ford of Europe's head of marketing, sales and service, said.

"Although driven in part by an industry recovery following last year's increase in VAT in Germany and CO2 incentives introduced in France, there was visible progress in our performance in these two key markets."

In Russia, Ford's sales rose by 17 percent to 18,200, a record number for April. Sales in Turkey rose by 7.8 percent to 6,900, giving Ford a market- leading share of 14.4 percent.

The new Focus was Ford of Europe's top-selling model in April with 33,100 units sold, across the 19 markets, followed by the Fiesta with 26,900.

April was a record month for sales of Ford commercial vehicles in the 19 markets, with sales increasing by 1,900 to 23,500. This record was primarily driven by the Ford Transit, with over 15,600 units sold.

In the first four months, Ford of Europe sold a total of 662,700 vehicles across Europe including Russia and Turkey, three percent or 19,100 units more than in the first four months of 2007.

You may e-mail John Revill at jrevill@craincom.de