Ford Windstar October sales up 44%

Ford of Canada overall sales dip 10% last month OAKVILLE, ON, Nov. 1 /Consumers in Canada purchased 16,477 new Ford and Lincoln cars and trucks in October, a 10 per cent decrease from the same month last year. Truck sales increased 3.4 per cent to 11,753 units while car sales were down 31.9 per cent to 4,724 units.

"Strong sales of Ford Windstar, Escape and Ranger made October a good month for truck sales," said Robert Girard, vice president of sales, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. "On the car side, we faced supply shortages on Focus due to the disruption of the 2002 model launch caused by the tragic events of Sept. 11. Clearly, limited availability of such a high-volume car impacts overall car sales.

"However, we're now seeing Focus production returning to normal levels and expect November sales to reflect that improved availability."

	    Highlights

	    -   Sales of the Ford Escape jumped 55.1 per cent in October.

	    -   Ford Explorer remains the best-selling SUV in Canada.

	    -   A legend returned to Canadian roads as the first 195 units of the
	        exciting 2002 Ford Thunderbird were delivered to customers.

	    -   Ford Ranger scored its best October sales in four years with a 47.8
	        per cent increase.


	                    Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited
	                October 2001 and Calendar Year Vehicle Sales


	                                    2001      2000   % Change

	    Total Vehicles
	    --------------

	    October                       16,477    18,303     -10.0%
	    January - October            208,169   239,418     -13.1%

	    Total Cars
	    ----------

	    October                        4,724     6,939     -31.9%
	    January - October             68,465    84,237     -18.7%


	    Total Trucks
	    ------------

	    October                       11,753    11,364       3.4%
	    January - October            139,704   155,181     -10.0%