Ford
NEWS
Contact: George Pipas
313-323-9216
gpipas@ford.com
Go to http://media.ford.com for news releases and high-resolution photographs.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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FORD MOTOR COMPANY ENCOURAGED BY EARLY
RESPONSE TO NEW PRODUCTS
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o Largest number and array of new products in history arrive at Ford and Mercury
showrooms.
o Ford's U.S. market share continues upward trend with highest monthly share in
at least six months.
o Ford's O'Connor: "We're very encouraged by the early dealer and consumer
response to our new products. We have our sights set on stronger retail sales
in the months ahead."
o Ford's overall sales totaled 268,474 in October, down 5 percent compared with
year ago.
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DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 3 - Ford Motor Company rolled out the largest number and
array of new products in its history and the early feedback is positive.
"We're very encouraged by the early dealer and consumer response to our new
products," said Jim O'Connor, Ford group vice president, North American
Marketing, Sales and Service. "We have our sights set on stronger retail sales
in the months ahead."
The breadth of Ford's product assault ranges from the Ford Escape Hybrid, the
most fuel-efficient sport utility offered in North America, to the F-Series
Super Duty truck, the undisputed leader in the full-size truck market. In
between, Ford has introduced two all-new mid-size sedans (Ford Five Hundred and
Mercury Montego), a crossover sport utility vehicle (Ford Freestyle), a new
compact SUV (Mercury Mariner), an all-new version of America's legendary pony
car (Ford Mustang), and finally, the Ford GT.
As a result, Ford's U.S. market share is believed to have approached 20% in
October, its highest share in at least six months.
Overall, the company's U.S. sales totaled 268,474 in October, down five percent
compared with a year ago. Year-to-date, the company's U.S. sales totaled 2.8
million, down 5 percent.
New Product Highlights
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Ford's F-Series truck, bolstered by the arrival of the new Super Duty model,
posted its fourteenth consecutive monthly sales increase. October sales totaled
79,704, up 16 percent. Year-to-date, F-Series sales totaled 777,642, up 12
percent.
The company's new flagship sedans (Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego) and
crossover sport utility vehicle (Ford Freestyle) posted combined sales of 5,787.
"Early customer feedback on the Ford Five Hundred and Freestyle has focused on
the attributes and features the products were designed to deliver," said
O'Connor. "Customers consistently mention comfort and room, smooth ride and
handling, and visibility provided by Ford's Command Seating."
The new Escape Hybrid model posted sales of 1,130 in October and sales for the
all-new Mercury Mariner compact SUV were 1,678, up 132 percent from September -
its first month on sale.
Ford dealers are delivering new Mustangs as fast as they arrive. Although total
Mustang sales were down 5 percent from a year ago, retail sales were up 20
percent. The overall decline reflected sharply lower fleet deliveries.
Volvo posted record October sales of 11,612, up seven percent, reflecting the
new S40 sedan and V50 sport wagon as well as continued strong sales of the XC90.
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