Bucking market trend, Ford dealers tighten strategy and plan sales increase

The new president of Ford in Poland, Adam Kolodziejczyk, estimating that domestic sales may dip a further 5% this year over last, is emphasizing the need to develop the companys dealership network, as he cannot imagine further growth without it. At the end of the year 2000, Fords sales network consisted of 49 main dealers, 19 sub-dealers and few independent service outlets. Ford Distribution is planning to sell 20,500 cars in Poland this year, 300 units over last year, thus maintaining its 4% to 5% market share. Last years sales were 34% less than in 1999, a plunge reflecting the dramatic contraction of the auto market in Poland, while another contributing factor was the close-out of the Escort model, which was assembled in a plant in Plonsk. Wladyslaw Wloszczowski, marketing director of Ford in Poland, is also not optimistic about the car market in Poland and foresees sales declining further this year.(Prawo i Gospodarka, p.3) A.D.