Ford prices raised by 4%

* Third increase in 2009 * Up £600+ for most models * Weak pound is blamed...

Ford prices raised by 4%

Ford has announced that it will raise its UK prices by an average of 4% from July 1.

The price increase, which is the third this year, has been blamed on the weakness of sterling against the euro.

Nigel Sharp, managing director Ford of Britain, said: 'In common with most of the UK auto industry, Ford is reacting to the sustained weakness of the pound against the euro.

'Raising prices in difficult times, and when a scrappage scheme has been introduced, may seem counter-intuitive but with so many of our costs priced in euros, there is no alternative if we are to maintain a viable business.'

He added that even with the recent strengthening of the pound, the need to recover losses could lead to further price increases.

Prices for Ford cars will rise by an average of 4%, which means an extra £600-650 on its most popular models, such as the Ka, Fiesta, Focus, C-MAX, Kuga and Mondeo; rising to £700 on a Ford S-MAX and £800 for a Ford Galaxy.