US automaker Ford said sales rose 39 per cent year-on-year to 7,501 units in the first quarter. — VNS Photo Courtesy Ford Vietnam

Sales surged by 39 per cent year-on-year to 7,501 vehicles in the first quarter, Ford announced on Thursday.

The US automaker said its main products, pickup truck Ranger, premium large SUV Explorer and commercial van Transit remained top sellers in their respective segments.

The strong performance was capped by all-time high retail sales in March of 2,501 units, a 32 per cent year-on-year increase.

“The launch of Ranger, Raptor and Everest gave our sales an additional boost heading into the year-end, and that momentum carried through into the first quarter and helped drive our overall performance,” Pham Van Dung, managing director of Ford Vietnam, said.

The Ranger’s sales edged up to 2,786, the recently launched new Everest accounted for sales of 1,535 units and Transit saw sales of 1,208 vehicles.

The EcoSport compact SUV delivered 43 per cent higher sales of 1,077 vehicles.

Focus, equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine, saw sales jump by 114 per cent to 543.

The imported Explorer saw sales rise 24 per cent to 350. — VNS