FPV knocks off HSV

ALL-TIME record June sales of 226 vehicles has helped Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) out-sell Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) on a year-to-date basis for the first time ever.

FPV has shifted a total of 1151 vehicles in the first half of 2006 - a 28 per cent increase over the same period in 2005 - while arch-rival HSV has sold 14 fewer cars with total sales of 1137 to June this year.

FPV has sold more short-wheelbase sedans than HSV on a monthly basis previously, but the Blue Oval’s homegrown performance car brand now holds a 34 per cent SWB sedan sales lead over its rival so far in 2006.

FPV’s GT, GT-P and F6 Typhoon sedans have found 877 homes so far in 2006, marginally up on HSV’s equivalent short-wheelbase ClubSport, ClubSport R8 and Senator models.

Similarly, with 274 sales, FPV’s Pursuit, Super Pursuit and F6 Tornado ute models are also 20 per cent up on HSV’s Maloo and Maloo R8 ute models.

"This is an outstanding result for FPV, particularly considering the brand has only existed for just over three years," said FPV managing director Sak Ryopponen.

"To achieve outright leadership in such a competitive segment of the market, particularly against a rival that has been in this business for over 15 years, is testament to the fantastic range of products that currently wear the FPV badge.

"This result cements the successful contribution that the award-winning F6 Typhoon and F6 Tornado have made to our business. Sales of our Boss 290 V8-powered vehicles continue to be as strong as ever, and the addition of the turbo-charged six-cylinder F6 variants has been instrumental in our growth by meeting the demands of a different type of performance car enthusiast."