Ford Kuga to go on sale in June 2008

Essex: Ford Kuga, the new crossover, from Ford Motor, unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2007  goes on sale next month, according to the company. The popular blue oval Kuga has the lowest CO2 emission in the compact 4x4 segment segment, claims Ford, an attribute expected to be a winner with retail customers.

The Kuga, is manufactured at at the Ford plant in Saarlouis, Germany. The two variants Zetec and the Titanium will hit the markets in June 2008 with the entry level pricing for the Zetec starting from £20,495 and £22,495 for the Titanium. (Also see: Production of the all-new Ford Kuga begins at the Saarlouis plant in Germany)

The other low emission cars from the Ford stable, the Ford Focus and Ford Mondeo have already sold  57,700 units to customers so far this year - an increase of 6.3 per cent compared with last year.

According to a figure indicated by Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Ford has a total of  130,120 cars and 33,634 commercial vehicles registered so far this year.

Retail demand by 57,700 private customers reflects a switch of some registrations from the corporate fleet sector, which takes the balance of Ford's car registrations. For example, the retail sector now accounts for 80 per cent more Mondeo sales than a year ago.

Ford commercial vehicles, led by its flagship Transit model, have been named best van range by Van Fleet World magazine. The Ford Transit range accounts for a 30 per cent share of all medium commercial registrations.

Sales of Ford's low CO2 vehicles are also growing. In April the increase in registrations of sub-120g CO2/km was 1,057. The segment leading Ford Focus diesel accounted for the most sub-120 g registrations at 1,796, while total Ford Focus diesel sales in April were 3,744. So far this year (to the end of April) sub-120g Ford registrations have increased by 2,798, compared with the same period last year.

Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, stated, "Our successful series of new model launches is continuing with Ford Kuga which, along with our other low carbon vehicles, delivers style with a green conscience."

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