F-Series Drives Ford to Higher Market Share for Third Consecutive Month

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan 05, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- F | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- New vehicles, including the all-new F-150 truck, and fuel-efficient powertrains are winning over customers for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, which realized market share increases for a third consecutive month in December. Ford estimates its market share was 14.6 percent in December, up 0.7 of a point versus a year ago. This marks the first time since 1997 Ford has achieved a market share increase three months in a row.

"This is a strong ending to end a very challenging year," said Jim Farley, Ford's group vice president, Marketing and Communications. "In addition to finishing the year with increased market share, we received several accolades from third parties concerning our world-class quality and safety, and we turned some heads on the fuel economy front with our 41 mpg Fusion Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America."

The F-Series truck played a key role in Ford's fourth quarter market share gains. The all-new F-150 accounted for 8,600 of total F-Series sales in December, an increase of 84 percent compared with November 2008. For the year, F-Series sales totaled 515,513.

"Our thanks go out to our customers, our dealers and, of course, the Ford employees and supplier partners who design, engineer and manufacture quality, fuel-efficient trucks delivering unmatched capability," Farley said. "The all-new F-150 affirms what Ford has known for years -- that listening to customers provides the best rewards."

The all-new F-150 recently was named 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year(TM), a finalist for the North American Truck of the Year and the Texas Auto Writers Association's "Truck of Texas."

Ford Flex, the company's newest crossover utility, finished 2008 with its best sales month of the year, netting 2,685 sales. Flex has the highest conquest rate of any Ford vehicle and is a finalist for the North American Car of the Year.

In other car news, Ford Focus posted full-year sales of 195,823, the small car's highest sales year since 2004 and up 13 percent versus full-year 2007. Focus parlayed SYNC technology and 35 mpg highway fuel economy, which is 5 mpg better than Toyota's Corolla and 2 mpg better than the smaller Honda Fit, to achieve a market share increase in the competitive small car segment -- its first share increase since Focus was introduced during the 2000 model year.

Meanwhile, Ford Fusion posted near-record sales of 147,569 units in 2008. Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ are redesigned for the 2010 model year and will arrive in dealer showrooms this spring. The first-ever Fusion Hybrid will be America's most fuel-efficient mid-size car with 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on highway -- besting the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on highway.

In premium news, Lincoln outpaced the competition as 2008 drew to a close.

Helped by the all-new Lincoln MKS sedan, Lincoln sales totaled 9,053 in December, down 10 percent compared with a year ago. In the fourth quarter, however, Lincoln increased its share in the luxury market as its 16-percent sales decline was less than half of the average decline of all other luxury brands.

U.S. Sales

In December, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 134,114, down 32 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales to individual customers were down 27 percent, and fleet sales were down 42 percent (including a 57 percent decline in daily rental sales), consistent with Ford's plans.

For the full year, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 1.9 million, down 20 percent versus a year ago. Retail sales were down 22 percent, and fleet sales were down 17 percent (including a 22 percent decline in daily rental sales), in line with Ford's plans.

U.S. Market Share

In the Fourth Quarter, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury's market share is estimated at 15.0 percent, up 0.9 points versus a year ago. This is the first time since 2001 that the company's Fourth Quarter market share was higher than a year ago.

For the full year of 2008, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury's market share is estimated at 14.2 percent, down 0.4 points versus a year ago. This marks the company's smallest decline in market share this decade.

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 (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 224,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit http://www.ford.com.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY DECEMBER 2008 U.S. SALES ------------------------------------------- December % Year-To-Date % -------- ------------ 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ Sales By Brand Ford 116,188 173,648 -33.1 1,687,731 2,101,244 -19.7 Lincoln 9,053 10,065 -10.1 107,295 131,487 -18.4 Mercury 8,873 12,631 -29.8 120,248 168,422 -28.6 ----- ------ ------- ------- Total Ford, Lincoln and Mercury 134,114 196,344 -31.7 1,915,274 2,401,153 -20.2 Volvo 4,953 9,341 -47.0 73,102 106,213 -31.2 ----- ----- ------ ------- Total Ford Motor Company 139,067 205,685 -32.4 1,988,376 2,507,366 -20.7 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Sales By Type Cars 43,087 58,580 -26.4 671,965 756,832 -11.2 Crossover Utility Vehicles 25,822 37,880 -31.8 366,293 410,627 -10.8 Sport Utility Vehicles 10,910 22,615 -51.8 158,994 276,004 -42.4 Trucks and Vans 54,295 77,269 -29.7 718,022 957,690 -25.0 ------ ------ ------- ------- Total Trucks 91,027 137,764 -33.9 1,243,309 1,644,321 -24.4 ------ ------- --------- --------- Total Vehicles 134,114 196,344 -31.7 1,915,274 2,401,153 -20.2 FORD BRAND DECEMBER 2008 U.S. SALES ----------------------------------- December % Year-To-Date % -------- ------------ 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ Crown Victoria 3,007 4,445 -32.4 48,557 60,901 -20.3 Taurus 3,460 6,408 -46.0 52,667 68,178 -22.8 Fusion 10,274 13,545 -24.1 147,569 149,552 -1.3 Focus 11,671 14,023 -16.8 195,823 173,213 13.1 Mustang 4,027 8,315 -51.6 91,251 134,626 -32.2 GT 0 0 NA 0 231 -100.0 - - - --- Ford Cars 32,439 46,736 -30.6 535,867 586,701 -8.7 Flex 2,685 0 NA 14,457 0 NA Edge 5,937 13,722 -56.7 110,798 130,125 -14.9 Escape 10,967 13,302 -17.6 156,544 165,596 -5.5 Taurus X 971 4,767 -79.6 23,112 42,110 -45.1 --- ----- ------ ------ Ford Crossover Utility Vehicles 20,560 31,791 -35.3 304,911 337,831 -9.7 Expedition 3,833 7,516 -49.0 55,123 90,287 -38.9 Explorer 5,346 10,887 -50.9 78,439 137,817 -43.1 ----- ------ ------ ------- Ford Sport Utility Vehicles 9,179 18,403 -50.1 133,562 228,104 -41.4 F-Series 41,580 55,069 -24.5 515,513 690,589 -25.4 Ranger 3,855 5,564 -30.7 65,872 72,711 -9.4 Econoline/Club Wagon 7,833 14,846 -47.2 124,596 168,722 -26.2 Freestar 0 0 NA 0 2,390 -100.0 Low Cab Forward 133 341 -61.0 942 2,914 -67.7 Heavy Trucks 609 898 -32.2 6,468 11,282 -42.7 --- --- ----- ------ Ford Trucks and Vans 54,010 76,718 -29.6 713,391 948,608 -24.8 ------ ------ ------- ------- Ford Brand 116,188 173,648 -33.1 1,687,731 2,101,244 -19.7 LINCOLN BRAND DECEMBER 2008 U.S. SALES -------------------------------------- December % Year-To-Date % -------- ------------ 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ MKS 2,100 0 NA 12,982 0 NA MKZ 2,089 3,173 -34.2 30,117 34,363 -12.4 Town Car 1,368 194 605.2 15,653 26,739 -41.5 MKX 2,114 3,856 -45.2 29,076 37,953 -23.4 Navigator 1,097 2,291 -52.1 14,836 24,050 -38.3 Mark LT 285 551 -48.3 4,631 8,382 -44.8 --- --- ----- ----- Lincoln Brand 9,053 10,065 -10.1 107,295 131,487 -18.4 MERCURY BRAND DECEMBER 2008 U.S. SALES -------------------------------------- December % Year-To-Date % -------- ------------ 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ Grand Marquis 2,271 4,087 -44.4 29,766 50,664 -41.2 Sable 601 1,458 -58.8 16,187 21,121 -23.4 Milan 2,219 2,932 -24.3 31,393 37,244 -15.7 Mariner 3,148 2,233 41.0 32,306 34,843 -7.3 Mountaineer 634 1,921 -67.0 10,596 23,850 -55.6 Monterey 0 0 NA 0 700 -100.0 - - - --- Mercury Brand 8,873 12,631 -29.8 120,248 168,422 -28.6 VOLVO BRAND DECEMBER 2008 U.S. SALES ------------------------------------ December % Year-To-Date % -------- ------------ 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ S40 427 1,144 -62.7 9,687 18,141 -46.6 V50 133 185 -28.1 1,856 2,850 -34.9 S60 266 1,468 -81.9 8,966 18,511 -51.6 S80 959 733 30.8 11,038 12,347 -10.6 V70 221 341 -35.2 3,224 3,769 -14.5 XC70 781 1,449 -46.1 9,489 12,628 -24.9 XC90 1,642 3,343 -50.9 18,980 31,336 -39.4 C70 205 321 -36.1 5,563 4,541 22.5 C30 319 357 -10.6 4,299 2,090 105.7 --- --- ----- ----- Volvo Brand 4,953 9,341 -47.0 73,102 106,213 -31.2

SOURCE Ford Motor Company

http://www.ford.com

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