Ford February 2010

[Justin Bimmer]

Ford's U.S. Sales Up 43 Percent; Second-Quarter Production Up 144,000 Vehicles Versus Year Ago

DEARBORN, Mich., March 2 /PRNewswire/ --

* Ford, Lincoln and Mercury February sales up 43 percent versus year ago and 22 percent higher than January

* Ford brand sales up 46 percent versus year ago, Lincoln up 19 percent and Mercury up 24 percent

* Cars up 54 percent versus year ago, utilities up 39 percent and trucks up 36 percent

* Ford's U.S. market share for February estimated at 17 percent, up 3 percentage points versus a year ago

* Retail sales up 28 percent versus a year ago; fleet sales normalizing – up 74 percent versus last February's depressed levels

* Second-quarter North American production plan is 595,000 vehicles, up 144,000 vehicles (32 percent) versus a year ago

Higher sales for every brand and in every product category propelled Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) to a 43 percent sales increase in February versus a year ago. Compared with January, Ford's February sales are up 22 percent.

"The strength of our new products and Ford's leadership in quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value are resonating with customers," said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing Sales and Service. "The good news is we have even more new products and fuel-efficient powertrains coming this year, and we expect our progress to continue."

February sales were higher throughout Ford's line-up. Cars were up 54 percent versus a year ago, utilities were up 39 percent, and trucks were up 36 percent. Among brands, Ford sales were up 46 percent, Lincoln sales were up 19 percent, and Mercury sales were up 24 percent.

Year to date through February, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 250,050, up 34 percent versus a year ago.

Ford said it remains committed to delivering the freshest line-up of new products in the U.S. industry. New or significantly upgraded vehicles this year include the Ford Fiesta, Focus, Edge and Edge Sport, Explorer, F-Series Super Duty, Transit Connect Electric, Lincoln MKX and an all-new small car for Mercury.

In addition, the company is introducing nine new or upgraded fuel-efficient engines and six new transmissions this year. They include the new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, new Mustang V-6 and V-8, new Super Duty 6.7-liter diesel and 6.2-liter gasoline engines.

"This is the most ambitious powertrain upgrade ever undertaken by Ford," said Czubay. "Our goal is to provide our customers with industry-leading fuel economy and performance – and more reasons to shop Ford and buy Ford."

Ford estimates its February U.S. total market share was approximately 17 percent – up 3 percentage points versus a year ago.

In February, Ford sales to retail customers were 28 percent higher versus a year ago, and sales to fleet customers were up 74 percent.

North American Production

In the second quarter of 2010, Ford plans to produce 595,000 vehicles, up 144,000 vehicles (32 percent) versus the same period a year ago. Ford's first quarter production plan is 570,000 vehicles, unchanged from the prior forecast.

Additional Sales Highlights

* February sales of the Ford Fusion, Motor Trend's Car of the Year, were more than double year-ago levels (up 116 percent). Fusion set a new February sales record – its 10th monthly sales record in 11 months. The Fusion Hybrid recently was named North American Car of the Year.

* Mercury Milan sales were higher than a year ago for the fourth month in a row.

* February sales of Ford Mustang and Focus and Lincoln MKZ also were higher.

* Ford Taurus sales totaled 6,359, up 93 percent versus a year ago. Since the introduction of the all-new model in August, Taurus sales are nearly double year-ago levels. The average conquest rate for Taurus is 46 percent nationwide and 76 percent on the West Coast.

* Ford's F-Series – America's best-selling truck for 33 years in a row and best-selling vehicle (car or truck) for 28 years in row – posted a 39 percent increase in February. In 2009, F-Series increased its leadership position among full-size pickups with a 4 percentage-point gain in segment share, and the F-Series continues to gain share in 2010 with a 6-point gain in January.

* Production of the all-new F-Series Super Duty has begun at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant.

* Utility vehicles also posted strong sales increases. In February, Escape sales were up 50 percent versus a year ago, Edge sales were up 67 percent, Flex sales were up 19 percent, and Mercury Mariner sales were up 39 percent. Sales for traditional SUVs (Explorer, Expedition and Navigator) also were higher than a year ago.

* Sales for Ford's E-Series van (Econoline/Club Wagon) were up 26 percent versus a year ago. E-Series has been America's best-selling full-size van for 31 years.

* Sales of the new Transit Connect – a small commercial van introduced in mid-2009 – totaled 1,338 in February. Ford's share of the commercial van segment is more than 60 percent. Production of a battery-electric Transit Connect begins later this year.

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 198,000 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 FEBRUARY 2010 U.S. SALES               
                  -------------------------------------------               

                                    February      %     Year-To-Date     %  
                                    --------            ------------        
                                   2010   2009 Change    2010    2009 Change
                                   ----   ---- ------    ----    ---- ------
   Sales By Brand                                                           
     Ford                       123,507 84,422   46.3 223,395 163,744   36.4
     Lincoln                      6,681  5,633   18.6  13,717  11,724   17.0
     Mercury                      7,456  5,989   24.5  12,938  11,172   15.8
                                  -----  -----         ------  ------       
       Total Ford, Lincoln and                                              
        Mercury                 137,644 96,044   43.3 250,050 186,640   34.0
     Volvo                        4,641  3,356   38.3   8,769   6,266   39.9
                                  -----  -----          -----   -----       
        Total Ford Motor                                                    
         Company                142,285 99,400   43.1 258,819 192,906   34.2

   Ford, Lincoln and Mercury
    Sales By Type                                  
     Cars                        53,241 34,678   53.5  94,291  63,385   48.8
     Utilities                   38,204 27,432   39.3  70,192  54,862   27.9
     Trucks                      46,199 33,934   36.1  85,567  68,393   25.1
                                 ------ ------         ------  ------       
         Total Vehicles         137,644 96,044   43.3 250,050 186,640   34.0



                      FORD BRAND FEBRUARY 2010 U.S. SALES                   
                      -----------------------------------                   

                                    February      %      Year-To-Date    %  
                                    --------             ------------        
                                   2010   2009 Change    2010    2009 Change
                                   ----   ---- ------    ----    ---- ------

   Focus                         13,708  9,904   38.4  24,097  17,673   36.3
   Fusion                        16,459  7,603  116.5  28,638  15,755   81.8
   Taurus                         6,359  3,290   93.3  10,127   4,995  102.7
   Mustang                        5,115  2,990   71.1   9,862   5,934   66.2
   Crown Victoria                 2,504  3,272  -23.5   5,648   4,918   14.8
                                  -----  -----          -----   -----       
     Ford Cars                   44,145 27,059   63.1  78,372  49,275   59.1

   Escape                        15,156 10,090   50.2  25,909  18,450   40.4
   Edge                           8,694  5,214   66.7  14,937  10,187   46.6
   Flex                           2,802  2,352   19.1   5,254   4,811    9.2
   Taurus X                           1  1,160  -99.9       1   2,039 -100.0
   Explorer                       4,038  3,073   31.4   8,285   6,760   22.6
   Expedition                     2,472  1,564   58.1   5,070   3,941   28.6
                                  -----  -----          -----   -----       
     Ford Utilities              33,163 23,453   41.4  59,456  46,188   28.7

   F-Series                      32,895 23,614   39.3  60,525  48,851   23.9
   Ranger                         3,706  3,597    3.0   7,849   6,410   22.4
   Econoline/Club Wagon           7,981  6,349   25.7  14,158  12,205   16.0
   Transit Connect                1,338      0     NA   2,499       0     NA
   Low Cab Forward                   14     10   40.0      21      29  -27.6
   Heavy Trucks                     265    340  -22.1     515     786  -34.5
                                    ---    ---            ---     ---       
     Ford Trucks                 46,199 33,910   36.2  85,567  68,281   25.3
                                 ------ ------         ------  ------       

     Ford Brand                 123,507 84,422   46.3 223,395 163,744   36.4



                     LINCOLN BRAND FEBRUARY 2010 U.S. SALES                 
                     --------------------------------------                 

                                    February      %      Year-To-Date    %  
                                    --------             ------------        
                                   2010   2009 Change    2010    2009 Change
                                   ----   ---- ------    ----    ---- ------

   MKZ                            1,761  1,145   53.8   3,101   2,706   14.6
   MKS                            1,183  1,346  -12.1   2,463   2,881  -14.5
   Town Car                       1,097  1,084    1.2   1,874   1,594   17.6
   MKX                            1,452  1,669  -13.0   3,650   3,404    7.2
   MKT                              647      0     NA   1,362       0     NA
   Navigator                        541    365   48.2   1,267   1,027   23.4
   Mark LT                            0     24 -100.0       0     112 -100.0
                                      -     --              -     ---       

     Lincoln Brand                6,681  5,633   18.6  13,717  11,724   17.0



                     MERCURY BRAND FEBRUARY 2010 U.S. SALES                 
                     --------------------------------------                 

                                    February      %      Year-To-Date    %  
                                    --------             ------------        
                                   2010   2009 Change    2010    2009 Change
                                   ----   ---- ------    ----    ---- ------

   Milan                          2,675  1,340   99.6   4,556   3,018   51.0
   Grand Marquis                  2,371  1,433   65.5   3,907   2,158   81.0
   Sable                              9  1,271  -99.3      18   1,753  -99.0
   Mariner                        2,096  1,508   39.0   3,842   3,249   18.3
   Mountaineer                      305    437  -30.2     615     994  -38.1
                                    ---    ---            ---     ---       

     Mercury Brand                7,456  5,989   24.5  12,938  11,172   15.8



                      VOLVO BRAND FEBRUARY 2010 U.S. SALES                  
                      ------------------------------------                  

                                    February      %      Year-To-Date    %  
                                    --------             ------------        
                                   2010   2009 Change    2010    2009 Change
                                   ----   ---- ------    ----    ---- ------

   S40                              657    491   33.8   1,262     891   41.6
   V50                              252    128   96.9     405     264   53.4
   S60                               17    273  -93.8      23     548  -95.8
   S80                              662    671   -1.3   1,194   1,144    4.4
   V70                               93     71   31.0     189     162   16.7
   XC60                             667    235  183.8   1,156     235  391.9
   XC70                             576    369   56.1   1,193     839   42.2
   XC90                             680    665    2.3   1,513   1,238   22.2
   C70                              710    253  180.6   1,063     525  102.5
   C30                              327    200   63.5     771     420   83.6
                                    ---    ---            ---     ---       

     Volvo Brand                  4,641  3,356   38.3   8,769   6,266   39.9

Edited March 2, 2010 by CSpec

[intrigued]

Ford is kicking ass and taking names. It's sales were only about 100 behind GM! It's important to wait and see how much toyota rebounds though. Ford was already making steady gains before hand but it was really in a position to capitalize on Toyota's preoblems and it will be interesting to see how large a percentage of this surge they will retain ad the marketplace normalizes.

[siegen]

Another large jump in fleet sales, as well as 0% APR or $1k cash (for the Fusion at least). Ford is being very aggressive to gain market share.

[regfootball]

1 taurus x sold! lol.............

i've had 5 fords in the last 15 years, all good products, love ford, but to be honest, now that they are not an underdog anymore, i am getting kind of bored with it.

except i really like that new taurus and i am guess the edge redo i will like....

and the 012 focus.......

and the new mustang motors.......

and the explorer.........

....

next cars will prob be GM just simply cuz i am bored with Ford now for awhile but dammit they keep bringing the goods!

[Justin Bimmer]

Here is the deal with Ford. Volvo, which is in transition to China, sold more cars than PHSS for GM. When both are taken away, GM sells more cars. Don't get too excited.

[regfootball]

any way you slice it though, ford clearly is on a positive track.

[Justin Bimmer]

any way you slice it though, ford clearly is on a positive track.

True, which is why the GM news today is no surprise either.