• January 5, 2010

December sales for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury rose 33% versus a year ago, giving Ford its highest sales month since May 2008. The company also posted its first full-year market-share gain since 1995, and the company says December marks the 14th time in 15 months that it increased retail market share.

The company posted an 83% increase in sales of the Fusion and a 75% increase in sales of the Escape for the month. Sales of the Ford F-Series pickup trucks were up 16% for the month.

The company posted a 42% increase in sales of Ford cars, a 51% increase in crossover sales and 33% increase in SUV sales. By brand, Ford sales were up 37%, Lincoln sales were up 16% and Mercury sales were up 6%.

"Ford's plan is working," said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. marketing sales and service, in a release. The company says the intention to buy a Ford increased more than 30% versus the beginning of the year.

Ford estimates its full-year 2009 U.S. total market share was about 15% -- about 1 percentage point higher than in 2008.--Karl Greenberg