Ford is predicting a flat year for van sales in 2010 after sales plummeted by almost 40% in 2009.

Steve Kimber, Ford’s director of commercial vehicles, said the main problem for fleets was still the non-availability of finance and until this problem had been resolved, sales would remain flat.

In a year when every manufacturer lost sales, percentages have become the important figures and Kimber said Ford is still Britain’s number one van seller and has increased its market share of 35% by 0.5% in 2009.

“The pie is smaller but our share of that pie has increased," he told Fleet News.

"We have brought our stock down to help maintain a viable business and we are still very busy, especially with the new Fiestavan, which won the Fleet Van Small Van of the Year award, new Ranger and new Transit Connect.”

He said: “We don’t see things will be any easier in 2010.

"The single biggest issue is finance and as that problem eases, the market will pick up.

"But whatever happens we will continue to grow our business."

Ford of Britain managing director Nigel Sharp said the scrappage scheme had helped Ford to sell both cars and vans and accounted for more than two million units across Europe but he warned: “We are facing up to a tough outlook next year with VAT rising and the end of the scrappage scheme in sight.

"We are not expecting rapid growth but Ford is in better shape than some others to weather the storm.

"We thrive on competitiveness and we will continue to invest in new product.”