Ford Wins Annual California Sales Race... Again

25 March 1999

    ANAHEIM, Calif., March 24 -- Ford Motor Company sold more
cars and trucks during 1998 than any other automotive company in the important
California market, according to registration figures released by R.L. Polk
Company.
    The company's Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers have been the California
sales leaders in four of the past five years.  And, for the 16th straight
year, Ford Division captured the year's sales crown as the car and truck sales
leader among all automotive divisions in California.
    In a confirmation of the state's economic strength, industry-wide combined
car and truck registrations in California were a healthy 1,674,572 -- up an
impressive six percent over 1997 and the highest since 1989.  Truck sales
showed the strongest gains at 758,966 -- up 11.9 percent over 1997, and car
sales also increased 1.6 percent to 915,606.
    Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers sold 378,042 cars and trucks in
California during 1998 -- 24,604 more than second-place General Motors and
126,832 more than third place Toyota.
    Ford Division sold a record 334,377 cars and trucks in the state in 1998
-- 112,928 more than second-place Toyota and 147,402 more than third place
Chevrolet.
    Four of the state's 10 best-selling vehicles are Ford Division products:
F-Series trucks, Explorer, Taurus and Ranger.  Taurus, Escort and Mustang are
among the top 10 best-selling cars in the state.  F-Series, Explorer, Ranger
and Expedition are among the top 10 best-selling trucks.
    "Our customers continue to tell us what they want, and we continue to
bring them the innovative products and service they demand," said Drew
Atkinson, California regional sales manager for Ford Division.  "Our strong
sales indicate that we are offering the trend-setting products that
Californians' want -- and we are making our customers Number One."
    Reflecting Californian's love of trend-setting cars, strong sales gains
were made by Mustang (up 41.2 percent over 1997 at 24,262 -- 18,923 more units
than Chevrolet Camaro); the sporty ZX2 (up 120 percent at 7,177), and Taurus
(up 5.4% in 1998 to 36,063).
    Mercury's Grand Marquis sales increased 33.4 percent in the state to
5,793, while the popularity of the Lincoln Navigator luxury SUV was reflected
by pace-setting sales of 5,238 -- up 160 percent from its 1997 mid-year
introduction.  Mountaineer SUV sales were up 12.2 percent to 3,362.
    Ford Division's nationwide truck leadership was reflected in California
with F-Series trucks up 16.5% at 68,126 and Ranger up 13.1 percent to 35,024
-- both leaders in the state's full-size and compact truck segments.  Explorer
sales increased 19 percent to 50,993, while Expedition climbed 24 percent to
30,590.

                         Sales Leaders in California
                                     1998
                     (Total Calendar Year Registrations)

    Top Five Manufacturers
     1. FORD MOTOR COMPANY        378,042
     2. General Motors            353,438
     3. Toyota                    251,210
     4. Chrysler                  209,400
     5. Honda                     174,476

    Top 10 Cars
     1. Toyota Camry               68,837
     2. Honda Civic                68,570
     3. Honda Accord               62,345
     4. Toyota Corolla             43,318
     5. FORD TAURUS                36,063
     6. FORD MUSTANG               24,262
     7. Saturn                     23,068
     8. Chevrolet Cavalier         19,678
     9. FORD ESCORT                19,386
     10. Chevrolet Malibu          17,251

    Top 10 Trucks
     1. FORD F-SERIES              68,126
     2. FORD EXPLORER              50,993
     3. Chevrolet C/K              35,137
     4. FORD RANGER                35,024
     5. Toyota Pickup              34,923
     6. Dodge D150/350             34,224
     7. FORD EXPEDITION            30,590
     8. Dodge Caravan              27,021
     9. Toyota 4 Runner            25,747
     10. Jeep Grand Cherokee       20,375

    Top 10 Vehicles
     1. Toyota Camry               68,837
     2. Honda Civic                68,570
     3. FORD F-SERIES              68,126
     4. Honda Accord               62,345
     5. FORD EXPLORER              50,993
     6. Toyota Corolla             43,318
     7. FORD TAURUS                36,063
     8. Chevrolet C/K              35,137
     9. FORD RANGER                35,024
     10. Toyota Pickup             34,923

                                          Source:  R.L. Polk Company