Ford's Strong Lineup Drives August 2009 Retail Sales Up 21 Percent
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DEARBORN, MI - September 1, 2009: Ford, Lincoln and Mercury retail sales increased 21 percent versus a year ago; total sales (including fleet) were 176,323, up 17 percent versus a year ago
-- Ford's August sales increase follows July increase, making Ford one of the only manufacturers to post back-to-back sales increases-- Record sales in August for Ford's Focus, Fusion, Escape, Edge and Flex and Mercury Mariner; Mercury Milan sales up 112%
-- In a sign of economic recovery, Ford posted the best Ranger (up 57 percent) and F-Series (up 13 percent) sales in more than a year; Transit Connect sales 70 percent higher than plan
-- All-new Taurus and fuel-saving EcoBoost engines gain momentum in August
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers reported a 21 percent increase in retail sales in August as customer demand for Ford's fuel-efficient cars, crossovers and trucks enabled the company to post its second consecutive increase in monthly sales. Total sales - including fleet customer deliveries - were 176,323, up 17 percent versus last year.
"We have the freshest lineup of new products in the industry," said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. "Ford's leadership in quality, fuel-efficiency, safety and technology all are resonating with consumers, and it is being reflected in our sales results."
Ford now has gained retail market share in 10 of the last 11 months. Plus, internal and external studies continue to show a positive trend in favorable consumer opinion about Ford, and a growing number of consumers are shifting consideration to Ford vehicles.
August Sales Highlights
-- Ford Focus sales totaled 25,547, an August record and up 56 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 Fusion sales totaled 21,010, a sales record for any month and up
132 percent versus a year ago. Mercury Milan sales were 3,844, up 112
percent. The Fusion and Milan and their hybrid versions are the most
fuel-efficient mid-size sedans in America.
-- Ford Escape sales totaled 20,933, a sales record for August, and up 49
percent versus a year ago. Mercury Mariner sales were 3,921 (also a
record for August), up 50 percent. The Escape Hybrid and Mariner
Hybrid are the most fuel-efficient utility vehicles in America.
-- Ford Edge sales totaled 10,845, an August sales record and up 9
percent versus a year ago.
-- Ford Flex sales totaled 4,151, an August sales record and up 107
percent versus a year ago. The Flex is among the most fuel-efficient
full-size crossover utilities in America.
-- Total Ford, Lincoln and Mercury crossover utility vehicle sales were
42,241, an August sales record and up 28 percent versus a year ago.
-- Ford's hybrid vehicles - Fusion, Milan, Escape and Mariner - posted
combined sales of 4,695, an August sales record and up 251 percent
versus a year ago. At 41 miles per gallon, the Fusion Hybrid is the
most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America - 8 mpg better than the
Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Signs of Economic Recovery
Early signs of economic recovery are suggested by this month's sales results for Ford's pickup trucks and the all-new Transit Connect van. Sales of the Ford F-Series - America's best-selling truck - were 45,590, up 13 percent. Sales of the Ford Ranger - the most-fuel-efficient pickup in America - were 7,746, up 57 percent. Sales for each truck were the highest in more than a year, and it was the first sales increase for F-Series since October 2006.
The Transit Connect, a small, fuel-efficient purpose-built van, is the first ONE FORD global vehicle to be sold in the United States. August sales for the Transit Connect were 2,220 versus 417 in July, and sales were 70 percent higher than the company's goal for the month.
"We're very pleased with the balanced performance of our products - from Focus to F-Series," said Czubay. "We are hopeful that the sales of our pickups and all-new Transit Connect are an indication that small business owners are seeing signs of recovery and gaining confidence in the outlook for stronger business conditions."
Ford Taurus and EcoBoost Gain Momentum
Sales of the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus sedan totaled 2,355 versus 309 in July. With limited availability as production continues to ramp up, Taurus retail sales nearly matched year-ago levels and more than double the company's goal for the month. Favorable third-party reviews are putting Taurus on the shopping list of even long-time foreign car owners, who cite the Taurus' design, technology and interior luxury and comfort as reasons for purchase.
Also gaining momentum is Ford's new EcoBoost engine - with dealer orders for EcoBoost-equipped models exceeding company expectations. EcoBoost uses gasoline turbocharged direct-injection technology for up to 20 percent better fuel economy, 15 percent fewer CO2 emissions and superior driving performance versus larger displacement engines. It is now on sale in the Ford Taurus SHO and Flex and Lincoln MKS, and soon on the MKT crossover vehicle. In these vehicles, EcoBoost provides the fuel economy of a six-cylinder and the performance of a V-8.
"Customers tell us they love our new products, and their favorable opinion of the Ford brand is continuing to gain strength," said Czubay. "All of us at Ford remain absolutely committed to building on this progress and delivering even more products that customers truly want and value."
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.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company , a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich. manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 201,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY AUGUST 2009 U.S. SALES
-----------------------------------------
August % Year-To-Date %
------ ------------
2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Sales By Brand
Ford 161,369 133,088 21.2 963,852 1,250,834 -22.9
Lincoln 5,874 9,540 -38.4 53,256 75,253 -29.2
Mercury 9,080 8,393 8.2 63,805 90,400 -29.4
----- ----- ------ ------
Total Ford,
Lincoln and
Mercury 176,323 151,021 16.8 1,080,913 1,416,487 -23.7
Volvo 5,826 4,669 24.8 42,013 55,974 -24.9
----- ----- ------ ------
Total Ford
Motor
Company 182,149 155,690 17.0 1,122,926 1,472,461 -23.7
Ford, Lincoln and
Mercury Sales
By Type
Cars 65,654 52,677 24.6 407,882 510,299 -20.1
Crossover
Utility Vehicles 42,241 32,927 28.3 245,982 273,320 -10.0
Sport Utility
Vehicles 7,199 10,852 -33.7 57,762 119,773 -51.8
Trucks
and Vans 61,229 54,565 12.2 369,287 513,095 -28.0
------ ------ ------- -------
Total Trucks 110,669 98,344 12.5 673,031 906,188 -25.7
------- ------ ------- -------
Total Vehicles 176,323 151,021 16.8 1,080,913 1,416,487 -23.7
FORD BRAND AUGUST 2009 U.S. SALES
---------------------------------
August % Year-To-Date %
------ ------------
2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Crown Victoria 1,382 3,930 -64.8 23,331 35,695 -34.6
Taurus 3,398 4,462 -23.8 22,539 40,478 -44.3
Fusion 21,010 9,073 131.6 123,766 107,603 15.0
Focus 25,547 16,387 55.9 116,731 155,036 -24.7
Mustang 6,289 8,197 -23.3 46,763 73,961 -36.8
----- ----- ------ ------
Ford Cars 57,626 42,049 37.0 333,130 412,773 -19.3
Flex 4,151 2,010 106.5 27,843 5,593 397.8
Edge 10,845 9,962 8.9 59,962 87,197 -31.2
Escape 20,933 14,025 49.3 117,576 116,511 0.9
Taurus X 259 1,670 -84.5 5,909 18,473 -68.0
--- ----- ----- ------
Ford
Crossover
Utility
Vehicles 36,188 27,667 30.8 211,290 227,774 -7.2
Expedition 1,676 3,867 -56.7 18,197 39,627 -54.1
Explorer 4,650 5,502 -15.5 32,092 60,841 -47.3
----- ----- ------ ------
Ford Sport
Utility
Vehicles 6,326 9,369 -32.5 50,289 100,468 -49.9
F-Series 45,590 40,429 12.8 261,549 359,971 -27.3
Ranger 7,746 4,920 57.4 41,864 50,900 -17.8
Econoline/
Club Wagon 5,350 8,081 -33.8 60,030 93,802 -36.0
Transit Connect 2,220 0 NA 2,637 0 NA
Low Cab Forward 12 55 -78.2 179 690 -74.1
Heavy Trucks 311 518 -40.0 2,884 4,456 -35.3
--- --- ----- -----
Ford Trucks
and Vans 61,229 54,003 13.4 369,143 509,819 -27.6
------ ------ ------- -------
Ford Brand 161,369 133,088 21.2 963,852 1,250,834 -22.9
LINCOLN BRAND AUGUST 2009 U.S. SALES
------------------------------------
August % Year-To-Date %
------ ------------
2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
MKS 1,370 2,374 -42.3 11,036 5,038 119.1
MKZ 1,621 2,358 -31.3 14,961 23,336 -35.9
Town Car 280 672 -58.3 8,226 10,654 -22.8
MKX 2,132 2,651 -19.6 14,874 22,224 -33.1
Navigator 471 923 -49.0 4,015 10,725 -62.6
Mark LT 0 562 -100.0 144 3,276 -95.6
--- --- --- -----
Lincoln Brand 5,874 9,540 -38.4 53,256 75,253 -29.2
MERCURY BRAND AUGUST 2009 U.S. SALES
------------------------------------
August % Year-To-Date %
------ ------------
2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Grand Marquis 624 2,182 -71.4 14,863 21,492 -30.8
Sable 289 1,226 -76.4 5,999 12,928 -53.6
Milan 3,844 1,816 111.7 19,667 24,078 -18.3
Mariner 3,921 2,609 50.3 19,818 23,322 -15.0
Mountaineer 402 560 -28.2 3,458 8,580 -59.7
--- --- ----- -----
Mercury Brand 9,080 8,393 8.2 63,805 90,400 -29.4
VOLVO BRAND AUGUST 2009 U.S. SALES
----------------------------------
August % Year-To-Date %
------ ------------
2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
S40 924 512 80.5 4,997 7,715 -35.2
V50 302 100 202.0 1,256 1,251 0.4
S60 516 467 10.5 5,532 7,187 -23.0
S80 565 576 -1.9 5,956 8,233 -27.7
V70 139 195 -28.7 1,293 2,531 -48.9
XC60 767 0 NA 5,056 0 NA
XC70 761 772 -1.4 4,297 7,074 -39.3
XC90 747 1,175 -36.4 6,360 14,186 -55.2
C70 440 462 -4.8 4,185 4,606 -9.1
C30 665 410 62.2 3,081 3,191 -3.4
--- --- ----- -----
Volvo Brand 5,826 4,669 24.8 42,013 55,974 -24.9