Ford Focus Retail Sales Up 36 Percent in February, Punctuating Solid Month for Cars, Crossovers

Link to press release

- Ford Focus retail sales climbed 36 percent compared with a year ago; redesigned, fuel-efficient small car and SYNC are appealing to younger buyers.

- Crossover demand growth continues; Ford Edge up 46 percent; Lincoln MKX up 22 percent.

- Lincoln retail sales up 2 percent.

- Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 185,294, down 7 percent.

- Lower daily rental sales (down 20 percent) accounts for 60 percent of the decline.

- Retail sales down 6 percent.

- Total Ford Motor Company sales (including Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo) totaled 196,681, down 7 percent.

DEARBORN, Mich., March 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ford's new Focus and

SYNC are connecting with small car buyers. Focus retail sales were up 36

percent in February -- the fourth month in a row of higher retail sales.

"The new Focus and SYNC arrived at an opportune time," said Jim Farley,

Ford's group vice president, Marketing and Communications. "We needed to

raise awareness and consideration among younger buyers -- and Focus and

SYNC are getting us back in the game."

Buyers age 16-35 account for 32 percent of retail sales for the 2008

Focus, compared with 28 percent for the previous model. Focus is one of 12

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models equipped with SYNC, an affordable, in-car

connectivity technology that fully integrates most Bluetooth-enabled cell

phones and MP3 players by voice activation.

Retail car sales were 4 percent higher than a year ago paced by the

Focus and the three mid-size sedans -- Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and

Lincoln MKZ -- which combined posted a retail sales increase of 7 percent.

Crossover utility vehicles continued to see higher sales in February

(up 10 percent). Higher sales for the Ford Edge (up 46 percent) and Lincoln

MKX (up 22 percent) led the increase in CUVs.

The MKZ and MKX helped Lincoln post higher retail sales in February (up

2 percent) although total sales were down 11 percent, reflecting lower

fleet sales.

Among trucks, sales for Ford's F-Series pickup totaled 52,548, off 5

percent from a year ago. Sales for Ford's compact pickup, the Ranger,

totaled 7,431, up 27 percent.

Sales for traditional sport utility vehicles continued to decline in

February as combined sales for the Ford Explorer and Expedition, Mercury

Mountaineer, and Lincoln Navigator were 22 percent lower than a year ago.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 185,294, down 7 percent

compared with a year ago. Lower daily rental sales (down 20 percent)

accounted for 60 percent of the decline.

Total Ford Motor Company sales, including Jaguar, Land Rover, and

Volvo, totaled 196,681, also down 7 percent.

North American Production

In the second quarter 2008, the company plans to produce 730,000

vehicles, a level 10 percent lower than a year ago when the company

produced 811,000 vehicles. The reduction reflects the current economic

conditions.

In the first quarter 2008, the company plans to produce 685,000

vehicles, unchanged from the previously announced plan.

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 in 200 markets

across six continents. With about 245,000 employees and about 100 plants

worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include

Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company

provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more

information regarding Ford's products, please visit http://www.ford.com.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY FEBRUARY 2008 U.S. SALES
                   -------------------------------------------

                                 February        %      Year-To-Date      %
                                 --------               ------------
                              2008     2007   Change   2008     2007   Change
                              ----     ----   ------   ----     ----   ------
    Sales By Brand
       Ford                  164,915  173,794   -5.1  295,989  305,800   -3.2
       Mercury                10,806   13,843  -21.9   20,102   26,447  -24.0
       Lincoln                 9,573   10,763  -11.1   17,558   20,357  -13.7
                               -----   ------          ------   ------
         Total Ford, Lincoln
          and Mercury        185,294  198,400   -6.6  333,649  352,604   -5.4

       Jaguar                  1,063    1,191  -10.7    1,727    2,581  -33.1
       Land Rover              2,819    3,106   -9.2    5,678    6,539  -13.2
       Volvo                   7,505    8,453  -11.2   15,541   16,261   -4.4
                               -----    -----          ------   ------
          Total Ford Motor
           Company           196,681  211,150   -6.9  356,595  377,985   -5.7

    Memo: Cars and Trucks
       Cars                   64,333   70,951   -9.3  114,409  126,793   -9.8
       Trucks                132,348  140,199   -5.6  242,186  251,192   -3.6
                             -------  -------         -------  -------
          Total Ford Motor
           Company           196,681  211,150   -6.9  356,595  377,985   -5.7



                       FORD BRAND FEBRUARY 2008 U.S. SALES
                       -----------------------------------

                               February        %       Year-To-Date      %
                               --------                ------------
                            2008     2007    Change   2008     2007    Change
                            ----     ----    ------   ----     ----    ------

    Crown Victoria           3,894    4,556   -14.5    8,325    9,980   -16.6
    Taurus                   4,789    6,601   -27.5    8,969   10,127   -11.4
    Fusion                  14,980   13,359    12.1   24,163   23,888     1.2
    Focus                   16,302   14,737    10.6   27,902   22,772    22.5
    Mustang                  7,752   10,772   -28.0   14,297   19,836   -27.9
    GT                           0      169  -100.0        0      231  -100.0
                                 -      ---                -      ---
      Total Ford Cars       47,717   50,194    -4.9   83,656   86,834    -3.7

    Escape                  14,192   14,388    -1.4   25,383   22,796    11.3
    Edge                    11,638    7,977    45.9   22,526   13,563    66.1
    Taurus X                 2,154    3,469   -37.9    4,388    5,480   -19.9
    Explorer                 9,452   12,971   -27.1   16,669   21,847   -23.7
    Expedition               6,296    7,501   -16.1   11,259   13,644   -17.5
    Freestar                     0      502  -100.0        0    1,574  -100.0
    Econoline/Club Wagon    12,866   14,540   -11.5   24,199   27,061   -10.6
    Ranger                   7,431    5,850    27.0   12,977   10,502    23.6
    F-Series                52,548   55,251    -4.9   93,673  100,170    -6.5
    Low Cab Forward             70      195   -64.1      149      415   -64.1
    Heavy Trucks               551      956   -42.4    1,110    1,914   -42.0
                               ---      ---            -----    -----
      Total Ford Trucks    117,198  123,600    -5.2  212,333  218,966    -3.0
                           -------  -------          -------  -------

      Total Ford Brand     164,915  173,794    -5.1  295,989  305,800    -3.2



                LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND FEBRUARY 2008 U.S. SALES
                --------------------------------------------------

                                  February       %      Year-To-Date     %
                                  --------              ------------
                                2008    2007   Change   2008    2007   Change
                                ----    ----   ------   ----    ----   ------

    Grand Marquis               2,549   4,413   -42.2   4,512   8,466   -46.7
    Sable                         938   1,480   -36.6   1,924   2,670   -27.9
    Milan                       2,544   2,896   -12.2   4,997   5,558   -10.1
                                -----   -----           -----   -----
      Total Mercury Cars        6,031   8,789   -31.4  11,433  16,694   -31.5

    MKZ                         3,531   2,263    56.0   6,243   4,472    39.6
    Town Car                    1,306   3,694   -64.6   1,512   6,818   -77.8
                                -----   -----           -----   -----
      Total Lincoln Cars        4,837   5,957   -18.8   7,755  11,290   -31.3
                                -----   -----           -----  ------

      Total Mercury
        and Lincoln Cars       10,868  14,746   -26.3  19,188  27,984   -31.4

    Mariner                     3,043   2,685    13.3   5,384   5,318     1.2
    Mountaineer                 1,732   2,225   -22.2   3,285   4,116   -20.2
    Monterey                        0     144  -100.0       0     319  -100.0
                                    -     ---               -     ---
      Total Mercury Trucks      4,775   5,054    -5.5   8,669   9,753   -11.1

    MKX                         2,819   2,310    22.0   5,845   4,009    45.8
    Navigator                   1,553   1,847   -15.9   3,218   3,635   -11.5
    Mark LT                       364     649   -43.9     740   1,423   -48.0
                                  ---     ---             ---   -----
      Total Lincoln Trucks      4,736   4,806    -1.5   9,803   9,067     8.1
                                -----   -----           -----   -----

      Total Mercury
        and Lincoln Trucks      9,511   9,860    -3.5  18,472  18,820    -1.8
                                -----   -----          ------  ------

      Total Mercury
        and Lincoln Vehicles   20,379  24,606   -17.2  37,660  46,804   -19.5

    Total Lincoln Brand         9,573  10,763   -11.1  17,558  20,357   -13.7
    Total Mercury Brand        10,806  13,843   -21.9  20,102  26,447   -24.0



                      JAGUAR BRAND FEBRUARY 2008 U.S. SALES
                      -------------------------------------

                                       February      %    Year-To-Date    %
                                       --------           ------------
                                     2008   2007  Change  2008   2007  Change
                                     ----   ----  ------  ----   ----  ------
    XJ                                 225    351  -35.9    427    735  -41.9
    S-TYPE                             402    276   45.7    515    586  -12.1
    X-TYPE                             180    246  -26.8    279    515  -45.8
    XK                                 256    318  -19.5    506    745  -32.1
                                       ---    ---           ---    ---
      Total Jaguar                   1,063  1,191  -10.7  1,727  2,581  -33.1



                       VOLVO BRAND FEBRUARY 2008 U.S. SALES
                       ------------------------------------

                                     February      %     Year-To-Date     %
                                     --------            ------------
                                   2008   2007  Change   2008    2007  Change
                                   ----   ----  ------   ----    ----  ------
    C30                              333      0     NA     684       0     NA
    S40                              930  2,101  -55.7   2,449   3,472  -29.5
    V50                              157    223  -29.6     320     418  -23.4
    S60                            1,310  1,440   -9.0   3,023   2,675   13.0
    V70                              214    221   -3.2     381     478  -20.3
    XC70                             933  1,095  -14.8   1,898   1,950   -2.7
    C70                              471    255   84.7     846     640   32.2
    S80                            1,270    580  119.0   2,135   1,711   24.8
    XC90                           1,887  2,538  -25.7   3,805   4,917  -22.6
                                   -----  -----          -----   -----
      Total Volvo                  7,505  8,453  -11.2  15,541  16,261   -4.4



                    LAND ROVER BRAND FEBRUARY 2008 U.S. SALES
                    -----------------------------------------

                                      February      %    Year-To-Date    %
                                      --------           ------------
                                    2008   2007  Change  2008   2007   Change
                                    ----   ----  ------  ----   ----   ------
    Range Rover                       741    820   -9.6  1,517  1,750   -13.3
    Range Rover Sport                 951  1,182  -19.5  1,981  2,445   -19.0
    LR3                               441  1,104  -60.1    820  2,343   -65.0
    LR2                               686      0     NA  1,360      0      NA
    Freelander                          0      0     NA      0      1  -100.0
                                        -      -             -      -
      Total Land Rover              2,819  3,106   -9.2  5,678  6,539   -13.2

hmmm, and that focus is such a terrible product?

so, 50 bucks worth of parts, some software, a microphone and bluetooth and usb port......= sales gains.

didn't need to overhaul the whole production line and burn billions in new manufacturing setup just for increased sales.

New dash, some software and media ports, good honest attainable price.

"People don't buy cars on gadgets"

HMMMMMM.

seems to me that folks are ok spending 15.5k price out the door for a 'non enthusiast' terrible old rehash of a proven car, rather than testing the waters with a euro focus.

yeah, the euro focus would sell too if the price were that good, but it seems to me like ford's execs are fine when mpg's meet mp3's at a price cash strapped Americans like to see. Like it or not, it seems to be bearing out that they are happy with the sales numbers they are seeing on this terrible human tragedy so far.

business 101. sales increase + acceptable investment = meet objectives.

Chicago triplets are the ones getting abused. Looks like the redesign failed and that the Fusion and Edge / MKx is cannibalizing them in a big way as far as ford's own customer base.

Edited March 3, 200818 yr by regfootball

Sable and Taurus are down quite a bit, I haven't seem much advertising for either car.

2010 taurus cannot come fast enough. the crossovers are cannibalizing large sedans in general.

Not too bad of a month, the Fusion is still doing well and gaining sales despite being on the market for a while. The new Taurus / Sable need to get here ASAP.

And like with the Escape, all the critics were wrong again about Focus sales. That being said, I think a year from now Focus sales will start to slow after Sync new-ness wears off (and exclusive rights are gone), so hopefully Ford speeds up the next gen Focus.

Next gen Focus should be a cool car.

Pardon our Lust after the Euro-Focus, regfootball. You can't blame us for wanting a home run, we are rejoicing with you that the Focus seems to be a solid double.

That being said, sad to see Mustang is still down.

Chris

while yes, the euro focus and next gen focus are without question better cars, i think all this really says is that when ford made the decision to rehash the old one again, it was during a very dire time in the company, and considering the lack of resources, and all the other things that factored into it, needing to update all their vehicles on skeleton budgets, without the company going under or making a deadly risky decision......that buying an extra 30 months or whatever with the existing vehicle at least for the last few months, has probably turned out ok as a business strategy. If its primarily because of gadgets, then hooray. Again, enthusiasts tend to neglect that normal Joe Buyer puts a lot more wow on gadgets then say, steering feel at 9/10ths..........

if you are selling your home, do you simply paint the rooms or do you gut the cabinets and tile and plumbing fixtures? How much do you want to spend, and how much do you expect to get back, and how fast do you need to do it? They didn't want to spend 40 grand on tile, fixtures and cabinets, so they painted the walls and hung a picture and baked some sync cookies at the open house.

Need to sell a used car.....do you fix all that you know is wrong with it or do you put a new stereo and speakers in it and hope some punk buys it because its got thumping bass?

Edited March 3, 200818 yr by regfootball

Mustang is down from economy, it's a toy/fun/2nd car. People are saving $$ and not blowing it on a 'show mobile.' Bet the Dodge Challenger V6 models won't be in high demand, nor the 2010[?] Camaro V6, if it ever gets to market.

Focus is new enough to get average comapct car buyers, who couldn't care less about European pedigree. [The C2 Focus over there is ugly I think] But it will need to be replace about the time the C346 Focus comes.

And BTW, that 'all new' 2009 Toyota Corolla is a bad re-fresh compared to the current Focus.

Agree on the toyota refresh thing...

Chris