Ford overall European sales rise 8 percent

Ford Motor Co. said Thursday that sales its 19 main European markets rose 6.4 percent to 129,500 units in April.

With the addition of sales in Russia, Turkey and the 30 Ford European direct markets, Ford said its European sales for April rose 8 percent to 161,140 units.

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

Sales of commercial vehicles in the main 19 European markets rose by 1,900 to 23,500 units on strong demand for the Ford Transit, the company said.

So far this year, Ford's sales in the 19 main European markets, Russia, Turkey, and European Direct Markets are up a combined 3 percent to 662,700 units, the automaker said.

Ford shares rose 3 cents to close at $8.17 and were unchanged in aftermarket trading.