Third quarter sales for Ford Motor Co. were 5 percent higher than a year ago, making the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury manufacturer the only company to report a sales increase for the period.

This was the first time in four years that Ford reported a quarterly sales increase. September sales were 6 percent below last year; but July showed a 2 percent increase and August had a 17 percent increase.

Ford estimates it gained over 2 points of market share versus last year in September and the third quarter.  September marked the 11th time in the last 12 months Ford has gained retail market share.

“Our balanced new lineup of high-quality, fuel-efficient products helped us navigate through an exceptional period in industry sales,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.  “With its volatile sales peaks and valleys and dramatic segment shifts, the third quarter was a great test of our One Ford Plan – building a range of vehicles from small cars to hard-working trucks.”

For the Dallas area market, which includes Tulsa, Ford reported the following third-quarter highlights:

Ford Car Sales: +6% Y-O-Y, +11% Quarter over Quarter, best car sales quarter of 2009
Focus:  +13% Y-O-Y, best Focus sales Quarter of 2009
Fusion:  +34% Y-O-Y, best Fusion Hybrid sales Quarter of 2009
Ford CUV sales:  +30% Y-O-Y
Escape:  +40% Y-O-Y, best Escape sales Quarter of 2009, Escape Hybrid sales +53% Y-O-Y
Edge:  +12% Y-O-Y, best Edge sales Quarter of 2009,
Flex:  +58% Y-O-Y
F-150:  +4% Y-O-Y, Super Crew +6% Y-O-Y
Ranger:  +37% Y-O-Y, best Ranger sales Quarter of 2009