DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- New vehicles, including the all-new F-150 truck, and fuel-efficient powertrains are winning over customers for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, which realized market share increases for a third consecutive month in December. Ford estimates its market share was 14.6 percent in December, up 0.7 of a point versus a year ago. This marks the first time since 1997 Ford has achieved a market share increase three months in a row.

"This is a strong ending to end a very challenging year," said Jim Farley, Ford's group vice president, Marketing and Communications. "In addition to finishing the year with increased market share, we received several accolades from third parties concerning our world-class quality and safety, and we turned some heads on the fuel economy front with our 41 mpg Fusion Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America."

The F-Series truck played a key role in Ford's fourth quarter market share gains. The all-new F-150 accounted for 8,600 of total F-Series sales in December, an increase of 84 percent compared with November 2008. For the year, F-Series sales totaled 515,513.

"Our thanks go out to our customers, our dealers and, of course, the Ford employees and supplier partners who design, engineer and manufacture quality, fuel-efficient trucks delivering unmatched capability," Farley said. "The all-new F-150 affirms what Ford has known for years -- that listening to customers provides the best rewards."

The all-new F-150 recently was named 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year(TM), a finalist for the North American Truck of the Year and the Texas Auto Writers Association's "Truck of Texas."

Ford Flex, the company's newest crossover utility, finished 2008 with its best sales month of the year, netting 2,685 sales. Flex has the highest conquest rate of any Ford vehicle and is a finalist for the North American Car of the Year.

In other car news, Ford Focus posted full-year sales of 195,823, the small car's highest sales year since 2004 and up 13 percent versus full-year 2007. Focus parlayed SYNC technology and 35 mpg highway fuel economy, which is 5 mpg better than Toyota's Corolla and 2 mpg better than the smaller Honda Fit, to achieve a market share increase in the competitive small car segment -- its first share increase since Focus was introduced during the 2000 model year.

Meanwhile, Ford Fusion posted near-record sales of 147,569 units in 2008. Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ are redesigned for the 2010 model year and will arrive in dealer showrooms this spring. The first-ever Fusion Hybrid will be America's most fuel-efficient mid-size car with 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on highway -- besting the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on highway.

In premium news, Lincoln outpaced the competition as 2008 drew to a close.

Helped by the all-new Lincoln MKS sedan, Lincoln sales totaled 9,053 in December, down 10 percent compared with a year ago. In the fourth quarter, however, Lincoln increased its share in the luxury market as its 16-percent sales decline was less than half of the average decline of all other luxury brands.

U.S. Sales

In December, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 134,114, down 32 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales to individual customers were down 27 percent, and fleet sales were down 42 percent (including a 57 percent decline in daily rental sales), consistent with Ford's plans.

For the full year, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 1.9 million, down 20 percent versus a year ago. Retail sales were down 22 percent, and fleet sales were down 17 percent (including a 22 percent decline in daily rental sales), in line with Ford's plans.

U.S. Market Share

In the Fourth Quarter, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury's market share is estimated at 15.0 percent, up 0.9 points versus a year ago. This is the first time since 2001 that the company's Fourth Quarter market share was higher than a year ago.

For the full year of 2008, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury's market share is estimated at 14.2 percent, down 0.4 points versus a year ago. This marks the company's smallest decline in market share this decade.

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 across six continents. With about 224,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, 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 DECEMBER 2008 U.S. SALES
                 -------------------------------------------

                             December       %           Year-To-Date      %
                             --------                   ------------
                          2008     2007  Change       2008       2007  Change
                          ----     ----  ------       ----       ----  ------
    Sales By Brand
      Ford             116,188  173,648   -33.1  1,687,731  2,101,244   -19.7
      Lincoln            9,053   10,065   -10.1    107,295    131,487   -18.4
      Mercury            8,873   12,631   -29.8    120,248    168,422   -28.6
                         -----   ------            -------    -------
        Total Ford,
         Lincoln and
         Mercury       134,114  196,344   -31.7  1,915,274  2,401,153   -20.2
      Volvo              4,953    9,341   -47.0     73,102    106,213   -31.2
                         -----    -----             ------    -------
        Total Ford
         Motor
         Company       139,067  205,685   -32.4  1,988,376  2,507,366   -20.7

    Ford, Lincoln and
     Mercury Sales By
     Type
      Cars              43,087   58,580   -26.4    671,965    756,832   -11.2
      Crossover
       Utility
       Vehicles         25,822   37,880   -31.8    366,293    410,627   -10.8
      Sport Utility
       Vehicles         10,910   22,615   -51.8    158,994    276,004   -42.4
      Trucks and Vans   54,295   77,269   -29.7    718,022    957,690   -25.0
                        ------   ------            -------    -------
        Total Trucks    91,027  137,764   -33.9  1,243,309  1,644,321   -24.4
                        ------  -------          ---------  ---------
          Total
           Vehicles    134,114  196,344   -31.7  1,915,274  2,401,153   -20.2



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

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

    Crown Victoria       3,007    4,445   -32.4     48,557     60,901   -20.3
    Taurus               3,460    6,408   -46.0     52,667     68,178   -22.8
    Fusion              10,274   13,545   -24.1    147,569    149,552    -1.3
    Focus               11,671   14,023   -16.8    195,823    173,213    13.1
    Mustang              4,027    8,315   -51.6     91,251    134,626   -32.2
    GT                       0        0      NA          0        231  -100.0
                             -        -                  -        ---
      Ford Cars         32,439   46,736   -30.6    535,867    586,701    -8.7

    Flex                 2,685        0      NA     14,457          0      NA
    Edge                 5,937   13,722   -56.7    110,798    130,125   -14.9
    Escape              10,967   13,302   -17.6    156,544    165,596    -5.5
    Taurus X               971    4,767   -79.6     23,112     42,110   -45.1
                           ---    -----             ------     ------
      Ford Crossover
       Utility Vehicles 20,560   31,791   -35.3    304,911    337,831    -9.7


    Expedition           3,833    7,516   -49.0     55,123     90,287   -38.9
    Explorer             5,346   10,887   -50.9     78,439    137,817   -43.1
                         -----   ------             ------    -------
      Ford Sport Utility
       Vehicles          9,179   18,403   -50.1    133,562    228,104   -41.4


    F-Series            41,580   55,069   -24.5    515,513    690,589   -25.4
    Ranger               3,855    5,564   -30.7     65,872     72,711    -9.4
    Econoline/Club Wagon 7,833   14,846   -47.2    124,596    168,722   -26.2
    Freestar                 0        0      NA          0      2,390  -100.0
    Low Cab Forward        133      341   -61.0        942      2,914   -67.7
    Heavy Trucks           609      898   -32.2      6,468     11,282   -42.7
                           ---      ---              -----     ------
      Ford Trucks and
       Vans             54,010   76,718   -29.6    713,391    948,608   -24.8
                        ------   ------            -------    -------

      Ford Brand       116,188  173,648   -33.1  1,687,731  2,101,244   -19.7



                    LINCOLN BRAND DECEMBER 2008 U.S. SALES
                    --------------------------------------

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

    MKS                  2,100        0      NA     12,982          0      NA
    MKZ                  2,089    3,173   -34.2     30,117     34,363   -12.4
    Town Car             1,368      194   605.2     15,653     26,739   -41.5
    MKX                  2,114    3,856   -45.2     29,076     37,953   -23.4
    Navigator            1,097    2,291   -52.1     14,836     24,050   -38.3
    Mark LT                285      551   -48.3      4,631      8,382   -44.8
                           ---      ---              -----      -----

      Lincoln Brand      9,053   10,065   -10.1    107,295    131,487   -18.4



                    MERCURY BRAND DECEMBER 2008 U.S. SALES
                    --------------------------------------

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

    Grand Marquis        2,271    4,087   -44.4     29,766     50,664   -41.2
    Sable                  601    1,458   -58.8     16,187     21,121   -23.4
    Milan                2,219    2,932   -24.3     31,393     37,244   -15.7
    Mariner              3,148    2,233    41.0     32,306     34,843    -7.3
    Mountaineer            634    1,921   -67.0     10,596     23,850   -55.6
    Monterey                 0        0      NA          0        700  -100.0
                             -        -                  -        ---

      Mercury Brand      8,873   12,631   -29.8    120,248    168,422   -28.6



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

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

    S40                    427    1,144   -62.7      9,687     18,141   -46.6
    V50                    133      185   -28.1      1,856      2,850   -34.9
    S60                    266    1,468   -81.9      8,966     18,511   -51.6
    S80                    959      733    30.8     11,038     12,347   -10.6
    V70                    221      341   -35.2      3,224      3,769   -14.5
    XC70                   781    1,449   -46.1      9,489     12,628   -24.9
    XC90                 1,642    3,343   -50.9     18,980     31,336   -39.4
    C70                    205      321   -36.1      5,563      4,541    22.5
    C30                    319      357   -10.6      4,299      2,090   105.7
                           ---      ---              -----      -----

      Volvo Brand        4,953    9,341   -47.0     73,102    106,213   -31.2

SOURCE Ford Motor Company