Ford sales up 39.8%

Ford said today that its total U.S. sales increased 39.8% in March compared to the same month a year ago, when industry sales were at near-record low levels. For the month, Ford sold 183,783 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo cars and trucks compared with 131,465 a year ago.

Without Volvo, which Ford is in the process of selling, Ford’s total sales in March increased 43% compared with last year.

Ford said its performance in March was driven by an increase in almost all models of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks. Ford said sales of its cars increased by 53%, SUVs increased 46% and pickups increased 30%.

Sales of Ford’s popular midsize Fusion sedan increased 79% while sales of the Ford Edge SUV increased 67.2% and sales of F-Series pickups increased 29.9%.

Earlier today, Mike Jackson, the CEO of AutoNation Inc., the nation’s largest chain of auto dealerships, described Ford as “red hot" in the market. Detroit Free Press