Ford has announced plans to introduce 17 new and refreshed Ford and Lincoln vehicles in the next two years to improve growth in the Middle East and Africa – including the Ford Fusion sedan and the EcoSport small SUV debuting today at the 2013 Dubai International Motor Show.

Ford Establishes New Middle East and Africa Business Unit

Ford says that in order to take advantage of profitable growth opportunities, they are combining the four regions of North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa and the Middle East into a single business unit. As of January next year, all sales, share and financial reporting will be consolidated for the 47 Ford markets throughout the Middle East and Africa.

Growth can already be seen as Ford continues to out-pace the market, growing sales 3.5% in October 2013. This is despite the realities of the industrial strike which continues to affect sales through the month.

Ford sales are up 38% year-to-date and the brand continues to enjoy strong share of the market driven by sustained Figo volume of 1404 units and good recovery in Ranger sales with 1516 units sold to South African customers.

“The Middle East and Africa is poised to become one of the next big automotive growth markets and we want to be there for these customers with great new cars and trucks.”

“Ford and Lincoln sales have grown 60 percent in the Middle East over the past four years, and we expect total industry sales in the combined Middle East and Africa region to increase nearly 40 percent to around 5.5 million units by 2020, “ said Stephen Odell, president of Ford Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Of the 17 models that will be introduced, two all-new vehicles have already made their Middle East debut this week at the Dubai motor show – the Ford EcoSport small sport utility vehicle based on Ford’s global B-segment platform, and the all-new Ford Fusion mid-size sedan introducing to customers an unprecedented selection of driver-assistance technologies.