DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --


    --  Ford Motor Company delivers U.S. sales gains across its lineup in 2012 -
        with cars up 5 percent, utilities up 7 percent and trucks up 2 percent
    --  F-Series sales up 10 percent for year; now America's best-selling pickup
        for 36 years and best-selling vehicle for 31 years
    --  Ford commercial truck sales up 7 percent in 2012, marking the best sales
        year since 2008
    --  December total company sales up 2 percent - with the strongest December
        since 2006

Ford Motor Company's U.S. sales grew across the board in 2012, with cars up 5 percent, utilities up 7 percent, and trucks up 2 percent for the year. Overall, the Ford brand ended 2012 with 2,168,015 vehicles sold - the only brand to top 2 million U.S. sales.

"Ford finished 2012 strong, with retail sales showing improved strength as more customers returned to dealer showrooms," said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. "Ford's fuel-efficient cars and hybrid vehicles showed the most dramatic growth for the year, and we achieved our best year for commercial vehicle sales since 2008."

Sales of Ford's small cars were up 29 percent in 2012, with 316,006 vehicles sold, and overall car sales were up 5 percent in 2012, with 760,646 sold. Focus sales gained 40 percent during the year, and the all-new C-MAX continues its strong selling rate. In the first four months of sales, 13,309 C-MAX vehicles were sold, making it the fastest sales start of any hybrid vehicle in the industry.

Ford again became America's best-selling brand of utility vehicles in 2012, with 619,470 vehicles sold. Escape broke its 2011 record sales levels with 261,008 vehicles sold, up 3 percent. Explorer gained 17 percent for the year, with 158,344 vehicles sold.

Ford trucks continued to dominate in 2012 - with F-Series America's best-selling pickup for the 36(th) straight year and 31 consecutive years as America's best-selling vehicle. Overall, 645,316 F-Series were sold, a 10 percent increase versus 2011. Total Ford brand truck sales - including Transit Connect and E-Series - were up 2 percent for the year at 829,477 vehicles sold.

Ford also remained America's largest maker of commercial trucks for 28 years, posting a 7 percent increase in 2012. That marks Ford's best year for commercial truck sales since 2008.

Last month, Ford delivered its best December sales results since 2006, with 214,222 vehicles sold - a 2 percent increase.

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 172,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding the company and Ford products, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

                                            FORD MOTOR COMPANY DECEMBER 2012 U.S. SALES
                                            -------------------------------------------

                       December        %                                 Year-To-Date   %
                       --------                                          ------------
                                  2012      2011          Change                               2012      2011 Change
                                  ----      ----          ------                               ----      ---- ------
    SALES BY BRAND
      Ford                     206,838   201,737                    2.5                   2,168,015 2,062,915           5.1
      Lincoln                    7,384     8,403                  -12.1                      82,150    85,643          -4.1
      Mercury                        0         0                     NA                           0       248        -100.0
                                   ---       ---                                                ---       ---
        Total Vehicles         214,222   210,140                    1.9                   2,250,165 2,148,806           4.7

    SALES BY TYPE
      Cars                      67,828    55,215                   22.8                     760,646   722,501           5.3
      Utilities                 60,394    62,252                   -3.0                     660,042   616,063           7.1
      Trucks                    86,000    92,673                   -7.2                     829,477   810,242           2.4
                                ------    ------                                            -------   -------
        Total Vehicles         214,222   210,140                    1.9                   2,250,165 2,148,806           4.7

    FORD BRAND
    Fiesta                       5,612     3,673                   52.8                      56,775    68,574         -17.2
    Focus                       22,604    14,281                   58.3                     245,922   175,717          40.0
    C-MAX                        4,310         0                     NA                      13,309         0            NA
    Fusion                      19,283    21,622                  -10.8                     241,263   248,067          -2.7
    Taurus                       6,159     5,650                    9.0                      66,066    63,526           4.0
    Police
     Interceptor
     Sedan                         745         0                     NA                       8,309         0            NA
    Mustang                      5,537     5,057                    9.5                      82,995    70,438          17.8
    Crown Victoria                 546       793                  -31.1                       4,429    46,725         -90.5
                                   ---       ---                                              -----    ------
      Ford Cars                 64,796    51,076                   26.9                     719,068   673,047           6.8

    Escape                      20,131    25,574                  -21.3                     261,008   254,293           2.6
    Edge                        12,434    12,077                    3.0                     127,969   121,702           5.1
    Flex                         2,172     2,253                   -3.6                      28,224    27,428           2.9
    Explorer                    16,695    13,872                   20.4                     158,344   135,704          16.7
    Police
     Interceptor
     Utility                       549         0                     NA                       5,863         0            NA
    Expedition                   4,061     4,212                   -3.6                      38,062    40,499          -6.0
                                 -----     -----                                             ------    ------
      Ford Utilities            56,042    57,988                   -3.4                     619,470   579,626           6.9

    F-Series                    68,787    68,278                    0.7                     645,316   584,917          10.3
    Ranger                         118     6,718                  -98.2                      19,366    70,832         -72.7
    E-Series                    11,999    13,074                   -8.2                     122,423   116,874           4.7
    Transit Connect              3,776     3,910                   -3.4                      35,216    31,914          10.3
    Heavy Trucks                 1,320       693                   90.5                       7,156     5,705          25.4
                                 -----       ---                                              -----     -----
      Ford Trucks               86,000    92,673                   -7.2                     829,477   810,242           2.4
                                ------    ------                                            -------   -------

      Ford Brand               206,838   201,737                    2.5                   2,168,015 2,062,915           5.1









                       December        %                                 Year-To-Date   %
                       --------                                          ------------
                                  2012      2011          Change                               2012      2011 Change
                                  ----      ----          ------                               ----      ---- ------
    LINCOLN BRAND
    MKZ                          1,630     2,435                  -33.1                      28,053    27,529           1.9
    MKS                          1,350     1,376                   -1.9                      12,524    12,217           2.5
    Town Car                        52       328                  -84.1                       1,001     9,460         -89.4
    MKX                          2,617     2,681                   -2.4                      25,107    23,395           7.3
    MKT                            653       574                   13.8                       7,094     5,024          41.2
    Navigator                    1,082     1,009                    7.2                       8,371     8,018           4.4
                                 -----     -----                                              -----     -----

      Lincoln Brand              7,384     8,403                  -12.1                      82,150    85,643          -4.1

    MERCURY BRAND
    Milan                            0         0                     NA                           0         0            NA
    Grand Marquis                    0         0                     NA                           0       248        -100.0
    Sable                            0         0                     NA                           0         0            NA
    Mariner                          0         0                     NA                           0         0            NA
    Mountaineer                      0         0                     NA                           0         0            NA
                                   ---       ---                                                ---       ---

      Mercury Brand                  0         0                     NA                           0       248        -100.0

SOURCE Ford Motor Company