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Ford Motor Company sets all-time monthly U.S. sales record;

1Q record also falls

 

NEW FORD F-SERIES AND EXPLORER MODELS DEBUT AND HELP SET MONTHLY SALES RECORDS; FORD FOCUS SALES SOAR; PREMIER BRANDS CONTINUE STRONG GROWTH

DEARBORN, MI, April 3, 2000 – U.S. consumers purchased or leased a record 441,701 cars and trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, and Volvo dealers in March – the highest sales total for any month in the company's history. The previous monthly sales record (424,091) was set June 1978. The previous March record (399,908) was set last year. In the process, March capped a record-breaking first quarter sales performance. The company's first quarter U.S. sales were 1,077,250, breaking the record of 1,005,371 set 1973.

The company's record-breaking March sales were highlighted by:

Ford Division – Best sales month ever for America's favorite brand of cars and trucks

Ford F-Series – Best sales month ever for America's best-selling pickup

Ford Explorer – Best sales month ever for America's top-selling SUV

Ford Focus – Best sales month ever for the North American Car of the Year

Lincoln – Best sales month since December 1990; March sales up 38 percent

Lincoln LS – Best sales month ever for Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year

Jaguar – Record March sales; March sales up 141 percent

Volvo – Best U.S. sales month ever; March sales up 10 percent

"The U.S. economy, innovative products, and confident consumers are the major factors driving these record-breaking results," said Bob Rewey, Ford's Group Vice President, Global Consumer Services and North America. "U.S. consumers are confirming that this is a great time to buy a new car or truck."

March Sales By Brand

Ford, America's top-selling brand of cars and trucks for 13 years in row, posted an all-time monthly sales record of 364,613. The previous record (350,035) was set June 1998. The previous March record (340,957) was set last year. Ford highlights, and the new products that helped achieve record sales results, included:

  • Ford F-Series – All-time monthly sales record of 90,522. The previous record (90,370) was set June 1978. The previous March record (86,491) also was set 1978. New product: F-150 SuperCrew, industry's first light-duty, full-size pickup with four standard doors.
  • Ford Explorer – Celebrated its 10th anniversary with all-time monthly sales record of 46,684. The previous record (41,667) was set October 1998. The previous March record (40,019) was set last year. New Products: Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac, industry's first SUV with pickup bed. Since its introduction on March 15, 1990, over 3.4 million U.S. customers have purchased or leased a Ford Explorer.
  • Ford Focus – The only car ever to be named Car of the Year on the European and North American continents achieved record U.S. sales of 28,254. The previous record (23,820) was set February 2000. New Product: All-new small car (four-door sedan and station wagon and three-door hatchback models).
  • Ford Taurus – Record March sales of 41,335. Previous March record (39,445) was set 1988. New Product: Taurus redesigned for 2000 model year.
  • Ford Windstar – All-time monthly sales record of 30,264. Previous record (28,058) was set March 1995. New Product: Windstar redesigned for 1999 model year with highest government safety rating for any minivan.

Lincoln sales eclipsed 20,000 for the first time since December 1990 bolstered by the addition of the all-new Lincoln LS which posted record monthly sales of 5,219. Lincoln Navigator posted record March sales of 3,769. In March, Lincoln sales were 20,604, up 38 percent from a year ago. Year-to-date, Lincoln sales are up 33 percent.

Jaguar achieved a March sales record of 4,041, up 141 percent from a year ago. It was the 11th month in a row of record sales. The all-new Jaguar S-TYPE and XKR coupe and convertible are driving Jaguar toward a new calendar year sales record.

Volvo posted its best U.S. sales month ever as sales increased for the 14th month in a row. Volvo's March sales were 12,929, up 10 percent compared with a year ago. The all-new S40/V40 compact sedan and wagon has been a major contributor to Volvo's record-setting performance. The all-new V70 station wagon is beginning to arrive in Volvo dealer showrooms.

Mercury posted March sales of 39,514, including record March sales for the redesigned 2000 Mercury Sable (up 27 percent compared with a year ago). Mercury Grand Marquis had its best sales month since August 1989 and its best March sales since 1984.

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FORD MOTOR COMPANY MARCH 2000 U.S. SALES

March Month

DSR %

March CYTD

DSR %
           

2000

1999

Change

2000

1999

Change
           
Car and Truck Sales By Brand            
Ford 364,613 340,957 6.9% 884,319 835,710 4.4%            
Mercury 39,514 42,340 -6.7 99,713 103,835 -5.2            
Lincoln 20,604 14,936 37.9 50,001 36,985 33.4            
Jaguar 4,041 1,675 141.3 10,626 4,132 153.8            
Volvo 12,929 11,768 9.9 32,591 27,941 15.1            
Total Ford Motor Company 441,701 399,908 10.5% 1,077,250 980,662 8.4%            
Memo: Cars and Trucks            
Cars 179,418 150,096 19.5% 440,997 366,431 18.8%            
Trucks 262,283 249,812 5.0 636,253 614,231 2.2            
Total Ford Motor Company 441,701 399,908 10.5% 1,077,250 980,662 8.4%            
Memo: Selling Days 27 27   77 76              
  Note: Ford acquired Volvo Cars on March 31, 1999. Accordingly, Ford Motor Company's March 1999 (month and year-to-date) sales totals exclude Volvo.              

FORD BRAND MARCH 2000 U.S. SALES
           

March Month

DSR %

March CYTD

DSR %
           

2000

1999

Change

2000

1999

Change
           
Crown Victoria 10,082 11,705 -13.9% 23,035 28,610 -20.5%            
Taurus 41,335 35,069 17.9 92,947 81,932 12.0            
Contour 3,358 12,781 -73.7 24,252 31,870 -24.9            
Focus 28,254 NA NA 71,092 NA NA            
Escort 12,891 28,016 -54.0 25,582 70,828 -64.4            
Mustang 17,661 16,570 6.6 40,992 41,461 -2.4            
TOTAL FORD CARS 113,581 104,141 9.1% 277,900 254,701 7.7%            
Expedition 18,534 20,704 -10.5% 50,217 54,473 -9.0%            
Explorer 46,684 40,019 16.7 115,031 102,349 10.9            
Excursion 4,202 NA NA 12,064 NA NA            
Econoline/Club Wagon 16,561 19,650 -15.7 44,829 45,279 -2.3            
Windstar 30,264 24,472 23.7 64,168 56,970 11.2            
Ranger 43,026 45,391 -5.2 95,504 105,902 -11.0            
F-Series 90,522 85,686 5.6 221,770 213,910 2.3            
Heavy Trucks 1,239 894 38.6 2,836 2,126 31.7            
TOTAL FORD TRUCKS 251,032 236,816 6.0% 606,419 581,009 3.0%            
TOTAL FORD BRAND 364,613 340,957 6.9% 884,319 835,710 4.4%            

LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND MARCH 2000 U.S. SALES
           

March Month

DSR %

March CYTD

DSR %
           

2000

1999

Change

2000

1999

Change
           
Grand Marquis 13,944 11,993 16.3% 33,365 28,864 14.1%            
Sable 12,204 9,629 26.7 27,681 22,623 20.8            
Cougar 4,383 6,112 -28.3 9,876 14,672 -33.6            
Mystique 1,501 3,050 -50.8 8,941 8,257 6.9            
Tracer 0 1,976 -100.0 0 6,044 -100.0            
TOTAL MERCURY CARS 32,032 32,760 -2.2% 79,863 80,460 -2.0%            
Town Car 9,087 8,736 4.0 21,611 21,197 0.6            
Continental 2,529 2,784 -9.2 5,854 5,941 -2.7            
LS 5,219 NA NA 12,552 NA NA            
TOTAL LINCOLN CARS 16,835 11,520 46.1% 40,017 27,138 45.5%            
TOTAL MERCURY AND LINCOLN CARS 48,867 44,280 10.4% 119,880 107,598 10.0%            
Villager 3,173 5,581 -43.1% 7,367 12,287 -40.8%            
Mountaineer 4,309 3,999 7.8 12,483 11,088 11.1            
TOTAL MERCURY TRUCKS 7,482 9,580 -21.9% 19,850 23,375 -16.2%            
Navigator 3,769 3,416 10.3 9,984 9,847 0.1            
TOTAL MERCURY AND LINCOLN TRUCKS 11,251 12,996 -13.4% 29,834 33,222 -11.4%            
TOTAL MERCURY AND LINCOLN VEHICLES 60,118 57,276 5.0% 149,714 140,820 4.9%            
Memo: Total Lincoln Brand 20,604 14,936 37.9% 50,001 36,985 33.4%            
Total Mercury Brand 39,514 42,340 -6.7 99,713 103,835 -5.2            

JAGUAR CARS MARCH 2000 U.S. SALES
           

March Month

DSR %

March CYTD

DSR %
           

2000

1999

Change

2000

1999

Change
           
XJ8 446 562 -20.6% 1,161 1,296 -11.6%            
XJ8 L 126 182 -30.8 322 480 -33.8            
Vanden Plas 346 316 9.5 868 813 5.4            
XJR 120 137 -12.4 292 414 -30.4            
S-TYPE 2,347 NA NA 6,310 NA NA            
XK8 - Coupe 67 49 36.7 167 136 21.2            
XK8 - Convertible 476 429 11.0 1,165 993 15.8            
XKR - Coupe 39 NA NA 72 NA NA            
XKR - Convertible 74 NA NA 269 NA NA            
TOTAL JAGUAR CARS 4,041 1,675 141.3% 10,626 4,132 153.8%            

VOLVO CARS MARCH 2000 U.S. SALES
           

March Month

DSR %

March CYTD

DSR %
           

2000

1999

Change

2000

1999

Change
           
S40 2,797 NA NA% 7,365 NA NA%            
V40 518 NA NA 1,341 1 NA            
S70 2,831 4,252 -33.4 6,838 10,046 -32.8            
V70 2,794 3,577 -21.9 7,248 8,461 -15.4            
C70 767 600 27.8 1,505 1,130 31.5            
S80 3,221 3,334 -3.4 8,293 8,289 -1.3            
S90/V90 1 5 NA 1 14 NA            
TOTAL VOLVO CARS 12,929 11,768 9.9% 32,591 27,941 15.1%            


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