Ford Sales Rise In May, Mustang Breaks 10,000 Units!

Ford continued to post strong sales and market share gains in May, with Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers delivering 192,253 new vehicles in May . That’s a staggering a 23 percent increase versus a year ago. It marks the sixth month in a row Ford sales have increased more than 20 percent.

With the release of the new 2011 Mustang, sales have finally broken 10,000 units for a month in May selling 10,225 copies. This is a major high point in some time with an increase of 16% over a year ago. Dealers have been swamped with pent up demand for the new Mustang with its more powerful 5.0 liter V8, 3.7 liter V6 and the new all aluminum block 5.4 liter Shelby GT-500.

Across the lot, Ford is benefiting from a fresh lineup of new, fuel-efficient, high-quality vehicles that deliver industry-leading levels of safety as well as smart design and value. “Our laser focus on fuel efficiency and quality is paying off for our customers and for Ford,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing Sales and Service. “Our customers are rewarded because Ford resale values continue to increase at a rate higher than the overall industry – and they are rewarding us with increased purchase consideration.”

Trucks showed the largest gains in sales with an increase of 48 percent, while cars were up 9 percent, and utilities were up 18 percent over May of 2009. “Our results reflect Ford’s balanced portfolio of products,” said Czubay. “Our goal is to offer customers class-leading fuel efficiency, quality, safety, smart design and value in every product and category.”

High Points:

• Ford Fusion, Motor Trend’s Car of the Year, set a May sales record of 22,381, up 13
percent versus the previous record set last year. Fusion has set monthly sales records in 13 of the last 14 months, and sales have been up 14 months in a row.

• Ford Taurus sales totaled 6,466 in May, up 98 percent. Ford Focus sales were up 13
percent.

• Ford Mustang’s retail share is on the rise, boosted by the arrival of the new 2011 Mustang with new V-6 and V-8 engines that deliver more horsepower and improved fuel economy. The new 3.7-liter V-6 achieves 305 hp and is the first production car ever to achieve 300- plus horsepower and 30-plus highway miles per gallon. The new 5.0-liter V-8, offered on the Mustang GT, is at the top of its class with fuel economy of 26 mpg highway and delivers 412 hp. Mustang’s retail share in May was the highest for any month in a year.

• With sales of 49,858, Ford’s F-Series posted a 49 percent sales increase in May. Year-to date, F-Series sales are up 35 percent. Ford’s leadership position in the truck market is strengthened by the arrival of the 2011 model F-Series Super Duty – the most capable, fuel-efficient heavy-duty pickup in the industry. For the second month in a row, sales of the all-new 2011 Super Duty were more than double Ford’s plan for the month. Super Duty sales were up 82 percent versus a year ago. F-Series sales have increased six months in a row, and May’s increase was the largest.

• Utility vehicles also posted strong sales increases. Ford Edge set a May sales record of 13,660, up 43 percent. Ford Escape sales were up 17 percent, and Mercury Mariner sales were up 22 percent. Ford Escape is America’s best-selling utility vehicle. Sales for the Ford Explorer and Expedition and Mercury Mountaineer also were higher than a year ago.

• Sales for Ford’s E-Series van (Econoline/Club Wagon) were up 34 percent versus a year ago, and sales for the Transit Connect were the highest for any month so far.

Going Forward:

In the third quarter of 2010, Ford plans to produce 570,000 vehicles, up 80,000 vehicles (16 percent) versus the third quarter 2009. The increase reflects higher consumer demand across Ford’s entire family of cars, utilities and trucks. Ford’s second quarter production plan is 640,000 vehicles, up 15,000 vehicles from the prior forecast.