The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Ford's New Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Plus 'Cash For Clunkers' Program Drive Sales Increase in July - Up 9% YTD


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)


DEARBORN, MI - August 3, 2009: Ford, Lincoln and Mercury retail sales increased 9 percent versus a year ago; total sales (including fleet) were 158,838, up 2 percent versus a year ago. Among the highlights:

-- Ford is first among major manufacturers to report sales increase in 2009; year-over-year total sales gain is the first for Ford since November 2007

-- Ford's fuel-efficient vehicles pace July sales results - Ford Fusion up 66 percent, Mercury Milan up 60 percent, Ford Escape up 94 percent, Mercury Mariner up 71 percent, Ford Focus up 44 percent and Ford Ranger up 65 percent; Ford hybrid sales up 323 percent

-- Ford was first to market with "Cash for Clunkers" website; more than 1 million consumers guided by www.LetFordRecycleYourRide.com

-- First 2010 model Ford Taurus and Transit Connect models were delivered to U.S. customers in July

Customer demand for Ford's fuel-efficient vehicles coupled with the U.S. government's Car Allowance Rebate System ("Cash for Clunkers") enabled Ford to post the first sales increase of any major manufacturer in 2009.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers reported 118,197 retail sales in July, up 9 percent versus a year ago. Total sales (including fleet customer deliveries) were 158,838, up 2 percent versus last year.

"We had another strong month in progress before the 'Cash for Clunkers' program started," said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.

"Our products, our dealers and our advance preparation enabled us to leverage the program and drive traffic and sales to another level," he added. "In addition, we achieved a sales increase even though we decreased incentive spending in an increasingly competitive environment."

  July Sales Highlights
  --  Ford Fusion sales totaled 17,610, a July record and up 66 percent
      versus a year ago, and Mercury Milan sales were up 60 percent.  The
      2010 model Fusion and Milan and their hybrid versions are the most
      fuel-efficient mid-size sedans in America.
  --  Ford Escape sales totaled 20,241, a July record and up 94 percent
      versus a year ago, and Mercury Mariner sales were up 71 percent.  The
      2009 model Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid are the most
      fuel-efficient utility vehicles in America.
  --  Ford Focus sales totaled 21,830, up 44 percent versus a year ago.  The
      Focus is among the most fuel-efficient compact cars in America with an
      EPA highway rating of 35 mpg.
  --  Ford Ranger sales totaled 7,695, up 65 percent versus a year ago.  The
      Ranger is the most fuel-efficient compact pickup in America.
  --  Ford Flex sales totaled 3,631, up 65 percent versus a year ago.  The
      Flex is among the most fuel-efficient mid-size crossover utilities in
      America.

  --  Ford's hybrid vehicles (Fusion, Milan, Escape and Mariner) posted
      combined sales of 5,353, a record for any month and up 323 percent
      versus a year ago.

"We have the freshest line of new products in the industry," said Czubay. "We're really encouraged by the growing number of consumers who are considering Ford for their next vehicle."

Internal and external studies show a positive trend in the percentage of consumers with favorable opinions about Ford, and growing numbers of consumers who are willing to consider purchasing a Ford vehicle, thanks to improved fuel economy, smart technology and higher residual values.

More new products are on the way. The first new 2010 Ford Taurus sedans were delivered at the end of July, as well as the first Transit Connects.

The all-new Taurus is the smartest full-size sedan in America. The Transit Connect, a small, fuel-efficient purpose-built van, is the first ONE Ford global vehicle to be sold in the United States.

This summer, Ford also will debut its EcoBoost engine technology in the Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS, Ford Flex and all-new Lincoln MKT crossover vehicle. In these vehicles, EcoBoost provides the fuel economy of a six-cylinder engine and the performance of a V-8.

Note: The sales data included in this release and the accompanying tables are based largely on data reported by dealers representing their sales to retail and fleet customers.

                   FORD MOTOR COMPANY JULY 2009 U.S. SALES
                   ---------------------------------------

                                  July         %      Year-To-Date      %
                                  ----                ------------
                               2009    2008 Change    2009      2008 Change
                               ----    ---- ------    ----      ---- ------
  Sales By Brand
    Ford                    142,135 138,175    2.9 802,483 1,117,746  -28.2
    Lincoln                   6,672   8,819  -24.3  47,382    65,713  -27.9
    Mercury                  10,031   9,412    6.6  54,725    82,007  -33.3
                             ------   -----         ------    ------
      Total Ford, Lincoln
       and Mercury          158,838 156,406    1.6 904,590 1,265,466  -28.5
    Volvo                     6,441   5,124   25.7  36,187    51,305  -29.5
                              -----   -----         ------    ------
       Total Ford Motor
        Company             165,279 161,530    2.3 940,777 1,316,771  -28.6

  Ford, Lincoln and Mercury
   Sales By Type
    Cars                     62,176  57,177    8.7 342,228   457,622  -25.2
    Crossover Utility
     Vehicles                37,419  27,336   36.9 203,741   240,393  -15.2
    Sport Utility Vehicles    6,526  10,213  -36.1  50,563   108,921  -53.6
    Trucks and Vans          52,717  61,680  -14.5 308,058   458,530  -32.8
                             ------  ------        -------   -------
      Total Trucks           96,662  99,229   -2.6 562,362   807,844  -30.4
                             ------  ------        -------   -------
        Total Vehicles      158,838 156,406    1.6 904,590 1,265,466  -28.5

                     FORD BRAND JULY 2009 U.S. SALES
                     -------------------------------

                             July         %      Year-To-Date      %
                             ----                ------------
                          2009    2008 Change    2009      2008 Change
                          ----    ---- ------    ----      ---- ------

  Crown Victoria         3,766   4,325  -12.9  21,949    31,765  -30.9
  Taurus                 1,760   4,100  -57.1  19,141    36,016  -46.9
  Fusion                17,610  10,607   66.0 102,756    98,530    4.3
  Focus                 21,830  15,200   43.6  91,184   138,649  -34.2
  Mustang                6,686  10,711  -37.6  40,474    65,764  -38.5
                         -----  ------         ------    ------
    Ford Cars           51,652  44,943   14.9 275,504   370,724  -25.7

  Flex                   3,631   2,204   64.7  23,692     3,583  561.2
  Edge                   7,857   8,508   -7.7  49,117    77,235  -36.4
  Escape                20,241  10,421   94.2  96,643   102,486   -5.7
  Taurus X                 366   2,034  -82.0   5,650    16,803  -66.4
                           ---   -----          -----    ------
    Ford Crossover
     Utility Vehicles   32,095  23,167   38.5 175,102   200,107  -12.5

  Expedition             2,565   3,469  -26.1  16,521    35,760  -53.8
  Explorer               3,108   5,404  -42.5  27,442    55,339  -50.4
                         -----   -----         ------    ------
    Ford Sport Utility
     Vehicles            5,673   8,873  -36.1  43,963    91,099  -51.7

  F-Series              36,327  44,829  -19.0 215,959   319,542  -32.4
  Ranger                 7,695   4,677   64.5  34,118    45,980  -25.8
  Econoline/Club Wagon   7,792  11,146  -30.1  54,680    85,721  -36.2
  Transit Connect          417       0     NA     417         0     NA
  Low Cab Forward           23      81  -71.6     167       635  -73.7
  Heavy Trucks             461     459    0.4   2,573     3,938  -34.7
                           ---     ---          -----     -----
    Ford Trucks
     and Vans           52,715  61,192  -13.9 307,914   455,816  -32.4
                        ------  ------        -------   -------

    Ford Brand         142,135 138,175    2.9 802,483 1,117,746  -28.2

             LINCOLN BRAND JULY 2009 U.S. SALES
             ----------------------------------

                      July       %    Year-To-Date    %
                      ----            ------------
                   2009  2008 Change   2009   2008 Change
                   ----  ---- ------   ----   ---- ------

  MKS             1,205 2,279  -47.1  9,666  2,664  262.8
  MKZ             1,532 2,331  -34.3 13,340 20,978  -36.4
  Town Car        1,841   943   95.2  7,946  9,982  -20.4
  MKX             1,642 2,010  -18.3 12,742 19,573  -34.9
  Navigator         450   768  -41.4  3,544  9,802  -63.8
  Mark LT             2   488  -99.6    144  2,714  -94.7
                    ---   ---           ---  -----

    Lincoln Brand 6,672 8,819  -24.3 47,382 65,713  -27.9

             MERCURY BRAND JULY 2009 U.S. SALES
             ----------------------------------

                      July        %    Year-To-Date    %
                      ----             ------------
                    2009  2008 Change   2009   2008 Change
                    ----  ---- ------   ----   ---- ------

  Grand Marquis    2,667 2,569    3.8 14,239 19,310  -26.3
  Sable              345 2,276  -84.8  5,710 11,702  -51.2
  Milan            2,934 1,836   59.8 15,823 22,262  -28.9
  Mariner          3,682 2,159   70.5 15,897 20,713  -23.3
  Mountaineer        403   572  -29.5  3,056  8,020  -61.9
                     ---   ---         -----  -----

    Mercury Brand 10,031 9,412    6.6 54,725 82,007  -33.3

             VOLVO BRAND JULY 2009 U.S. SALES
             --------------------------------

                    July       %    Year-To-Date    %
                    ----            ------------
                 2009  2008 Change   2009   2008 Change
                 ----  ---- ------   ----   ---- ------

  S40             525   431   21.8  4,073  7,203  -43.5
  V50             181   120   50.8    954  1,151  -17.1
  S60           1,461   409  257.2  5,016  6,720  -25.4
  S80             602   745  -19.2  5,391  7,657  -29.6
  V70             241   234    3.0  1,154  2,336  -50.6
  XC60            762     0     NA  4,289      0     NA
  XC70            722   668    8.1  3,536  6,302  -43.9
  XC90            850 1,546  -45.0  5,613 13,011  -56.9
  C70             685   540   26.9  3,745  4,144   -9.6
  C30             412   431   -4.4  2,416  2,781  -13.1
                  ---   ---         -----  -----

    Volvo Brand 6,441 5,124   25.7 36,187 51,305  -29.5