• Ford's total September sales increased 5 percent compared with a year ago
• Sales to individual retail customers climbed 8 percent; fleet sales declined 11 percent
• F-Series sales were 81,782 - best September in its 55-year history
• Ford Escape, Expedition and Lincoln Aviator pace record SUV sales
• Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo set September sales records

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DEARBORN, Mich., October 1 - U.S. customers purchased or leased 294,991 cars and trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, Volvo, and Land Rover dealers in September, up 5 percent compared with a year ago. Sales of trucks (pickups, sport utility vehicles, and vans) were 207,772 (up 14 percent), while sales of passenger cars were 87,219 (down 11 percent). Sales to individual retail customers climbed 8 percent compared with a year ago, while sales to fleet customers declined 11 percent.

Year-to-date, the company's sales were 2.65 million, down 4 percent compared with the same period a year ago. Sales of trucks were 1.7 million, up 0.4 percent, while car sales were 913,991, down 12 percent.

September sales for Ford's F-Series truck were the highest in its 55-year history and 31 percent higher than a year ago. Ford dealers sold 81,782 F-Series trucks, eclipsing the previous September record of 74,787 set in 2001. In addition, it was the highest F-Series sales for any month since December 2001.

Ford dealers reported strong showroom traffic in September coinciding with the introduction of the all-new F-150 model.

"The new F-150 is doing exactly what we expected our clean-up hitter to do - drive in truck buyers to Ford dealer showrooms," said Jim O'Connor, Ford group vice president, North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "We're seeing a 'halo' effect from th e showroom traffic generated by the F-150 that puts Ford in a position of strength no one else can match."

Ford Ranger, the best-selling compact pickup in America, benefited from the increased showroom traffic as September sales rose 15 percent.

Sales for the Ford Escape (up 29 percent), Ford Expedition (up 52 percent), and Lincoln Aviator (which posted its best sales month since introduction) paved the way for a new company SUV sales record. September sales of sport utility vehicles were 87,526, up 10 percent compared with a year ago.

Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo all set September sales records. In fact, Land Rover's September sales were the highest for any month.

Jaguar sales were 6,030, up 43 percent compared with last year's record sales. Land Rover also bested last year's record as September sales advanced 17 percent. Each of these brands are benefiting from the introduction of new products at the top end of the price range (Jaguar XJ sedan and Land Rover Range Rover).

Volvo dealers reported September sales of 10,418, up 25 percent compared with a year ago. September was the eleventh month in a row of higher sales at Volvo, a streak that started with the introduction of the award-winning XC90 sport utility vehicle. Volvo retailers remain on pace to set a new calendar year sales record in 2003 as year-to-date sales totaled 101,370, up 22 percent from a year ago.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY SEPTEMBER 2003 U.S. SALES
	September Month		%		September CYTD		%
	2003	2002	Change		2003	2002	Change
Sales By Brand
Ford	246,208	232,674	5.8		2,207,980	2,288,469	-3.5
Mercury	14,989	18,554	-19.2		153,206	205,841	-25.6
Lincoln	13,159	12,968	1.5		119,736	114,312	4.7
Jaguar	6,030	4,222	42.8		42,092	48,006	-12.3
Volvo	10,418	8,332	25.0		101,370	83,048	22.1
Land Rover	4,187	3,569	17.3		29,125	30,060	-3.1
Total Ford Motor Company	294,991	280,319	5.2		2,653,509	2,769,736	-4.2
Memo: Cars and Trucks
Cars	87,219	98,353	-11.3		913,991	1,036,344	-11.8
Trucks	207,772	181,966	14.2		1,739,518	1,733,392	0.4
Total Ford Motor Company	294,991	280,319	5.2		2,653,509	< font size="2"> 2,769,736	-4.2
Contact: George Pipas, Ford Motor Company, (313) 323-9216
FORD BRAND SEPTEMBER 2003 U.S. SALES
	September Month		%		September CYTD		%
	2003	2002	Change		2003	2002	Change
Crown Victoria	4,878	5,517	-11.6		60,277	63,546	-5.1
Taurus	21,864	19,311	13.2		241,772	247,015	-2.1
Focus	17,496	25,249	-30.7		176,913	189,285	-6.5
Thunderbird	1,659	1,378	20.4		14,696	15,513	-5.3
Mustang	8,763	11,184	-21.6		106,890	111,837	-4.4
Escort	2,483	2,155	15.2		19,451	45,120	-56.9
Total Ford Cars	57,143	64,794	-11.8		619,999	672,316	-7.8
Escape	13,216	10,282	28.5		123,590	105,766	16.9
Explorer	36,696	42,381	-13.4		282,816	328,036	-13.8
Expedition	17,115	11,238	52.3		139,516	112,858	23.6
Excursion	1,792	2,539	-29.4		17,887	22,904	-21.9
Econoline/Club Wagon	11,853	12,604	-6.0		123,213	126,002	-2.2
Windstar	7,019	9,629	-27.1		98,197	113,755	-13.7
Ranger	18,912	16,416	15.2		170,197	181,289	-6.1
F-Series	81,782	62,224	31.4		627,364	620,197	1.2
Heavy Trucks	680	567	19.9		5,201	5,346	-2.7
Total Ford Trucks	189,065	167,880	12.6		1,587,981	1,616,153	-1.7
Total Ford Brand	246,208	232,674	5.8		2,207,980	2,288,469	-3.5
Contact: Jon Harmon, Ford Division, (313) 323-7045
LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND SEPTEMBER 2003 U.S. SALES
	September Month		%		September CYTD		%
	2003	2002	Change		2003	2002	Change
Grand Marquis