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National Press Release

Ford's Strong Lineup Drives Retail Sales Up 21 Percent

Published 2009-09-01 12:00
By Ford Motor Company

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

    --  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 (NYSE: F), 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 (NYSE: F), 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

SOURCE Ford Motor Company



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