The Ford Puma has been around – in Europe, at least – for a few years now, and has proven to be both a hit with critics and consumers alike. In fact, the crossover finished 2022 as one of the top 20 best-selling cars in Europe, and is currently available for extended, 24-hour test drives in the UK to help prospective buyers spend a bit more time with it. Now, that hot streak continues into the new year, as the Ford Puma was once again among the top 20 best-selling vehicles in Europe in January, according to new data from JATO Dynamics.
The Ford Puma finished in 20th place last month in that regard as The Blue Oval moved 9,602 units in January. That was good enough to rank it ahead of the Skoda Octavia, Toyota C-HR, Nissan Qashquai, Ford Focus, and Volkswagen Taigo, but behind other models such as the list-topping Dacia Sandero, as well as the Volkswagen T-Roc, Toyota Yaris, Yaris Cross, Renault Clio, Dacia Duster, Peugeot 208, Fiat 500, Opel Corsa, and Volkswagen Tiguan, to name a few.
Meanwhile, the overall new vehicle market in Europe rebounded in a big way in January with sales increasing by 11 percent year-over-year to 907,000 units, 464,900 of which consisted of crossovers and SUVs, which enjoyed a 14 percent increase and a market share of 51.3 percent – the first time that this type of vehicle has accounted for more half of total new car registrations in Europe. However, overall sales results still lag behind pre-pandemic levels, which totaled 1.13 million units in February 2020 and 1.22 million units in February 2019.
“We are seeing positive signs, but not enough to take the market back to the position it was in before the pandemic hit,” said Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst at JATO Dynamics. “The reality is that we might never see sales at that level again. The recent EV boom drew attention away from SUVs, but due to their popularity with consumers around the world, they continue to play an important role in driving the slow recovery of the industry.”
We’ll have more on the Puma soon, so be sure to subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Puma news and ongoing Ford news coverage.
Comments
Great News!! What? The Dacia Sandero is still the best selling vehicle in Europe!! Great! anyways…
I am a big fan of Ford, but they have nothing to shout about in Europe. The Puma sales are actually down if you look at the figures, so being number 20 for what is meant to be a top selling SUV is dismal and I think they know it. The fact of the matter is that the Ford Puma is getting dated very quickly and nothing in the press to say an update is coming soon. The company lacks consistency in Europe, quality isn’t the best and they can’t even keep to consistent update plan, hence why the Puma looks dated. Ford is going to end of being a niche player in Europe and not a top seller. I worry it will continue to struggle unless they can get to grips with what the market is demanding. The Chinese are coming and Ford just does not look up to the job. Come on Ford of Europe, you can do so much better.
At one point in the mid teens, (2014,2015…)
The Ford Focus was the best selling car in the world. Certainly due to the fact that the Focus was virtually the same car in every market. Not just the name being applied to different cars.
It infuriated Toyota to the point that Toyota said the Prius was “really a hybrid Corolla” and if counted as such would vault the Corolla past the Focus.
Man, have times changed….
True.
Ford had planned for the 2001 C1-based Focus to annually achieve 600k units in Europe and 400k units in the USA; I don’t think these were ever achieved.
Ford put a lot of effort into trying to conquer this segment of the market but for a number of reasons could never sustainably profitably dominate.
But I think the Focus’ fall from grace needn’t be a model for Ford’s future. I think the rapid pivot of policy, product and market, give Ford as a ICE OEM BEV first-mover a big chance here to find its old leadership mojo.