Ford's F-Series Sets Modern Day Vehicle Sales Record of 126,905; Ford Motor Company's July Sales Up 29 Percent

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 2, 2005; Ford dealers delivered 126,905 F-Series trucks to U.S. customers in July -- the highest monthly sales for any vehicle in modern day U.S. automotive history. It is believed to be the highest monthly sales for any vehicle since Ford's Model T cruised America's roads in the 1920s.

"Our dealers leveraged the best truck in America and the Ford Family Plan to deliver an outstanding result," said Steve Lyons, Ford group vice president, North America Marketing, Sales and Service.

F-Series record-breaking sales helped Ford Motor Company set a July sales record and post its second monthly sales increase in a row. Ford's U.S. sales totaled 366,548 in July, up 29 percent compared with a year ago. Sales to retail customers were up 39 percent, while sales to fleet customers were down 20 percent.

Within the total, car sales were up 16 percent (up 31 percent at retail) and truck sales were up 34 percent (up 41 percent at retail).

"We're pleased with the balanced results achieved with the Ford and Lincoln Mercury Family Plans," noted Lyons. "On the car side, we continue to benefit from the new products we introduced late last year. We expect to build on this momentum when the new Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln Zephyr debut this fall and we're optimistic we can achieve an increase in car sales for the first time since 1999."

Each of the company's new full-size sedans, the Ford Five Hundred and the Mercury Montego, posted their highest sales to date. Five Hundred sales were 13,555 and Montego sales were 4,014. Combined sales for all of the products produced at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant (including the Ford Freestyle crossover utility) were 27,506 -- well above the previous best sales month of 18,077.

Despite limited availability, Ford Mustang continued to set a fast pace as sales increased 28 percent. Ford Focus sales were 24,311, up 37 percent.

The company's dealers sold a record number of sport utility vehicles in July (103,376). The company continued to see higher sales among crossover utility vehicles. Combined sales for the Ford Freestyle, Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, and Volvo's XC70 and XC90 were 38,601, up 99 percent compared with a year ago. The Ford Freestyle (9,937) and Mercury Mariner (5,662) each set new monthly sales records and the Ford Escape set a July sales record (18,245).

Combined sales for traditional sport utility vehicles were up 8 percent compared with a year ago, including a July record for Land Rover of 5,080, up 103 percent. Land Rover introduced the all-new Range Rover Sport in July. Sales of both the Ford Explorer and Ford Expedition were up 4 percent.

Production of the redesigned 2006 model Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer began July 19 at Ford's Louisville Assembly Plant. Production of these models will begin at Ford's St. Louis Assembly Plant on August 15.

All three of Ford's domestic brands posted higher sales in July. Ford Division's sales of 310,757 were a record for the month and up 33 percent compared with a year ago. Mercury sales were up 23 percent. The Lincoln Mark LT full-size truck achieved its highest sales month ever, lifting Lincoln sales higher than a year ago.

 FORD BRAND JULY 2005 U.S. SALES


                         July Month       %            July CYTD          %
                        2005     2004   Change       2005      2004     Change

    Crown Victoria     5,690    5,347    6.4        43,641    48,743    -10.5
    Five Hundred      13,555        0     NA        62,693         0       NA
    Taurus            12,353   19,944  -38.1       131,996   163,979    -19.5
    Focus             24,311   17,791   36.6       122,884   136,598    -10.0
    Mustang           10,577    8,263   28.0       106,588    81,596     30.6
    Thunderbird          952    1,087  -12.4         7,485     8,159     -8.3
    GT                    91        0     NA           483         0       NA
    Escort                 0        0     NA             0     1,210   -100.0
      Total Ford Cars 67,529   52,432   28.8       475,770   440,285      8.1

    Freestyle          9,937        0     NA        45,434         0       NA
    Escape            18,245   14,585   25.1       105,159   113,117     -7.0
    Explorer          32,088   30,920    3.8       166,848   198,979    -16.1
    Expedition        15,733   15,191    3.6        77,384    92,675    -16.5
    Excursion          2,413    1,464   64.8         9,985    11,745    -15.0
    Freestar           6,814   10,834  -37.1        52,639    65,995    -20.2
    Windstar               0        0     NA             0     2,950   -100.0
    Econoline/Club
     Wagon            13,639   13,134    3.8       106,425   105,252      1.1
    Ranger            16,223   14,495   11.9        75,673   101,163    -25.2
    F-Series         126,905   80,253   58.1       534,659   513,222      4.2
    Low Cab Forward       44        0     NA            44         0       NA
    Heavy Trucks       1,187      945   25.6         7,957     7,239      9.9
      Total Ford
       Trucks        243,228  181,821   33.8     1,182,207 1,212,337     -2.5

      Total Ford
       Brand         310,757  234,253   32.7     1,657,977 1,652,622      0.3