Fiesta tops Golf in European sales

The Ford Fiesta dethroned the popular Volkswagen Golf in March to become Europe's most-popular vehicle, according to JATO Dynamics, a Britain-based data company, even while industry sales declined 9%.

The Golf had been the top-selling vehicle for a year, but Fiesta has been well received since the new version went on sale last fall. Fiesta also benefited in Germany and Italy from government incentive programs that have provided money to people who turn in old cars when they buy new cars, JATO said.

Ford Motor Co. sold 52,805 Fiestas in Europe last month, up 15.5% from March 2008, while Golf sales dropped by 0.1% to 46,415.

Ford plans to begin selling the Fiesta in North America early in 2010.