RETAIL SALES FOR FORD’S NEW FOCUS UP 88 PERCENT, PACING STRONG CAR AND CROSSOVER RESULTS

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  • Ford's new Focus posted an 88 percent increase in retail sales compared with a year ago; highest April sales for Focus since 2000.
  • Retail sales for mid-size sedans also were higher; Ford Fusion up 31 percent, Mercury Milan up 19 percent, and Lincoln MKZ up 20 percent; Fusion and Milan set April sales records.
  • Total car retail sales up 21 percent.
  • Crossover retail sales up 11 percent led by Ford Edge (up 24 percent) and Ford Escape (up 13 percent).
  • Rising gas prices accelerate the industry-wide shift from trucks and SUVs to cars and crossovers.
  • Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 189,247, down 12 percent; retail sales were down 7 percent and daily rental sales were down 32 percent.
  • Total Ford Motor Company sales (including Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo) totaled 200,727, down 12 percent.

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DEARBORN, Mich., May 1, 2008 - Ford's new Focus continues to defy gravity -- and the U.S. economy -- with a 88 percent jump in retail sales versus last April and the highest total Focus April sales since 2000.

"Focus is the right car at the right time," said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Marketing and Communications. "This is the little car that delivers in a big way for customers, with outstanding fuel economy, cool features including SYNC, a fun drive and the right price, right along with the rest of our newest cars and crossovers."

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars achieved a 21 percent increase in retail sales. While Focus was the standout, the company's mid-size cars also posted higher retail sales. Ford Fusion retail sales were up 31 percent, Mercury Milan retail sales were up 19 percent and Lincoln MKZ retail sales were up 20 percent. The Fusion and Milan set April sales records with total sales of 15,059 for the Fusion and 3,809 for the Milan.

Retail sales for the company's crossovers were 11 percent higher than a year ago, paced by the Ford Edge (up 24 percent) and Ford Escape (up 13 percent). Retail sales for the Mercury Mariner were up 6 percent and Lincoln MKX retail sales were up 4 percent.

Higher gas prices are accelerating the industry-wide shift from trucks and traditional sport utility vehicles to cars and crossovers. At Ford, April sales for sport utility vehicles were 36 percent lower than a year ago and trucks were 19 percent lower.

Lower sales to daily rental companies (down 32 percent) also contributed to the company's sales decline. Overall, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 189,247, down 12 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales to individual customers were down 7 percent.

Total Ford Motor Company sales, including Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo, totaled 200,727, down 12 percent.

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.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 244,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda, and until completion of their sale, Jaguar Land Rover. 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 APRIL 2008 U.S. SALES
April 
% 
Year-To-Date 
% 
2008  
2007  
Change  
2008  
2007  
Change  
Sales By Brand
  Ford 165,997 185,553 -10.5 649,814 708,141 -8.2
  Mercury 12,910 17,481 -26.1 47,345 61,354 -22.8
  Lincoln 10,340 11,832 -12.6 38,811 46,959 -17.4
     Total Ford, Lincoln and Mercury 189,247 214,866 -11.9 735,970 816,454 -9.9
  Jaguar 1,785 1,424 25.4 5,264 5,672 -7.2
  Land Rover 2,557 4,211 -39.3 11,289 14,413 -21.7
  Volvo 7,138 8,122 -12.1 31,942 35,044 -8.9
     Total Ford Motor Company 200,727 228,623 -12.2 784,465 871,583 -10.0
Memo: Cars and Trucks
  Cars 79,913 80,732 -1.0 275,237 297,009 -7.3
  Trucks 120,814 147,891 -18.3 509,228 574,574 -11.4
     Total Ford Motor Company 200,727 228,623 -12.2 784,465 871,583 -10.0
     
FORD BRAND APRIL 2008 U.S. SALES
April 
% 
Year-To-Date 
% 
2008 
2007 
Change 
2008 
2007 
Change 
Crown Victoria
5,339
7,389
-27.7
18,286
23,922
-23.6
Taurus
5,240
6,657
-21.3
21,117
23,391
-9.7
Fusion
15,059
12,303
22.4
55,109
51,981
6.0
Focus
23,850
16,626
43.5
72,920
56,463
29.1
Mustang
10,050
12,509
-19.7
34,527
47,082
-26.7
GT
0
0
NA
0
231
-100.0
   Total Ford Cars
59,538
55,484
7.3
201,959
203,070
-0.5
Escape
15,399
14,788
4.1
59,299
54,105
9.6
Edge
10,333
9,134
13.1
46,367
33,612
37.9
Taurus X
2,261
4,893
-53.8
9,758
14,686
-33.6
Explorer
7,356
11,956
-38.5
34,994
46,679
-25.0
Expedition
5,208
8,008
-35.0
23,434
32,157
-27.1
Freestar
0
150
-100.0
0
2,176
-100.0
Econoline/Club Wagon
12,784
15,740
-18.8
49,196
62,246
-21.0
Ranger
7,585
7,499
1.1
29,182
25,990
12.3
F-Series
44,813
56,692
-21.0
192,951
228,343
-15.5
Low Cab Forward
102
205
-50.2
325
868
-62.6
Heavy Trucks
618
1,004
-38.4
2,349
4,209
-44.2
    Total Ford Trucks
106,459
130,069
-18.2
447,855
505,071
-11.3
    Total Ford Brand
165,997
185,553
-10.5
649,814
708,141
-8.2
     
LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND APRIL 2008 U.S. SALES 
April 
% 
Year-To-Date 
% 
2008  
2007  
Change  
2008  
2007  
Change  
Grand Marquis
3,201
6,514
-50.9
11,106
20,956
-47.0
Sable
1,862
2,295
-18.9
5,619
6,585
-14.7
Milan
3,809
3,365
13.2
12,686
13,601
-6.7
  Total Mercury Cars
8,872
12,174
-27.1
29,411
41,142
-28.5
MKZ
3,268
2,740
19.3
13,012
10,838
20.1
Town Car
1,976
3,712
-46.8
5,412
15,357
-64.8
  Total Lincoln Cars
5,244
6,452
-18.7
18,424
26,195
-29.7
   Total Mercury and Lincoln Cars
14,116
18,626
-24.2
47,835
67,337
-29.0
Mariner
3,092
3,065
0.9
12,260
11,495
6.7
Mountaineer
946
2,135
-55.7
5,674
8,133
-30.2
Monterey
0
107
-100.0
0
584
-100.0
   Total Mercury Trucks
4,038
5,307
-23.9
17,934
20,212
-11.3
MKX
3,038
2,901
4.7
12,370
9,964
24.1
Navigator
1,673
1,801
-7.1
6,505
7,894
-17.6
Mark LT
385
678
-43.2
1,512
2,906
-48.0
   Total Lincoln Trucks
5,096
5,380
-5.3
20,387
20,764
-1.8
  Total Mercury and Lincoln Trucks
9,134
10,687
-14.5
38,321
40,976
-6.5
   Total Mercury and Lincoln Vehicles
23,250
29,313
-20.7
86,156
108,313
-20.5
   Total Lincoln Brand
10,340
11,832
-12.6
38,811
46,959
-17.4
   Total Mercury Brand
12,910
17,481
-26.1
47,345
61,354
-22.8
     
JAGUAR BRAND APRIL 2008 U.S. SALES 
April 
% 
Year-To-Date 
% 
2008 
2007 
Change 
2008 
2007 
Change 
XJ
259
452
-42.7
904
1,584
-42.9
XF
1,126
0
NA
2,287
0
NA
S-TYPE
94
283
-66.8
689
1,348
-48.9
X-TYPE
31
252
-87.7
356
1,052
-66.2
XK
275
437
-37.1
1,028
1,688
-39.1
   Total Jaguar
1,785
1,424
25.4
5,264
5,672
-7.2
     
VOLVO BRAND APRIL 2008 U.S. SALES  
April  
%  
Year-To-Date  
%  
2008   
2007   
Change   
2008   
2007   
Change   
C30
337
0
NA
1,399
0
NA
S40
1,317
1,725
-23.7
5,294
7,398
-28.4
V50
129
255
-49.4
621
977
-36.4
S60
771
1,502
-48.7
5,037
5,879
-14.3
V70
229
250
-8.4
873
1,099
-20.6
XC70
773
756
2.2
3,685
3,833
-3.9
C70
703
476
47.7
2,203
1,484
48.5
S80
988
990
-0.2
4,752
4,093
16.1
XC90
1,891
2,168
-12.8
8,078
10,281
-21.4
   Total Volvo
7,138
8,122
-12.1
31,942
35,044
-8.9
     
LAND ROVER BRAND APRIL 2008 U.S. SALES   
April   
%   
Year-To-Date   
%   
2008    
2007    
Change    
2008    
2007    
Change    
Range Rover
654
854
-23.4
2,949
3,763
-21.6
Range Rover Sport
945
1,247
-24.2
4,118
5,048
-18.4
LR3
501
808
-38.0
1,803
4,299
-58.1
LR2
457
1,302
-64.9
2,419
1,302
85.8
Freelander
0
0
NA
0
1
-100.0
   Total Land Rover
2,557
4,211
-39.3
11,289
14,413
-21.7

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