Ford Canadian Sales Up 6% in June

OAKVILLE, ON, July 3 /CNW/ - Canadians purchased 30,168 new Ford and Lincoln vehicles in June, up 6.2 per cent compared to the same month last year. Strong June sales helped to lift Ford of Canada's half-year results by 4.4%, the fifth best January-to-June period in company history. June car sales rose by 8.5 per cent to 10,694, and truck sales were up 5.0 per cent to 19,474 vehicles. Leading the way was Ford Explorer. At 3,556 sales, Explorer recorded its highest-ever monthly sales volume since its March 1990 Canadian launch. As well, sales of Ford Escape, and the all-new Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator sport utilities, reached all-time highs for June.

"Consumers like the confidence, all-weather capability and utility offered by sport utility vehicles," said Torrey Galida, vice president of marketing, Ford of Canada. "Led by Explorer, Canadians have made the hot- selling Ford and Lincoln sport utility vehicles the segment leaders."

Galida also noted strength in Ford and Lincoln cars as virtually all brands are outperforming last year's sales volumes.

Year-to-date total sales of 139,583 vehicles, including 93,838 trucks and 45,745 cars, are up 4.4% versus 2001.

June Highlights

- Ford Explorer set a new all-time monthly sales record. - Ford Expedition set a new June sales record with a 177 per cent increase. - Lincoln Navigator set a new June sales record with a 28 per cent increase. - Ford Escape set a new June sales record with a 2 per cent increase. - Ford Mustang sales were up 49 per cent - its best June performance since 1989. - Ford Ranger sales were up 25 per cent. - Lincoln Continental sales were up 382 per cent - its second best June performance. - Lincoln Town Car sales were up 42 per cent - its third best June performance. - Ford Crown Victoria sales were up 19 per cent. - Ford F-Series sales were up 2 per cent.