Sales Heating Up At Ford: Plus 33% In December; Market Share Up In 2009 (Now Updated With All Model YTD Sales)

Ford wraps up a difficult year on a high note: sales were up 33% in December compared to a year ago. And although year-end totals were down 15.4% from ’08, that still outpaced the market to deliver Ford’s first annual market share increase since 1995. Ford estimates its 2009 market share to come in at 15%, up one percentage point from 2008. Details:

The Fusion was up 83%, capping an all-time sales record for the month (18,852) and for the year (181k). The Escape had a similar run in December (up 75%) and a yearly total of 173k. Ford claims to be the biggest seller of crossovers. Edge was up 59% and Flex up 73%.

The F-Series continued to be America’s sweetheart, although nowhere near what it sold in the good bad old days. The pickups posted a 16% gain in December, and a yearly total of 414k. It also gained 4 percentage points in segment market share.

Taurus continues to sell at about double its predecessor’s rate, and moved 7,256 units in the month. And Mustang put on a good show, up 62% in December.

Here are the monthly/annual changes by brand: Ford +37%/-14%; Lincoln: +16%/-23%; Mercury: +6%/-23%; Volvo: +14%/-16%

Here’s some 2009 totals:

Crown Vic 33,255 -32%

Taurus 45,617 -13%

Fusion 180,671 +22%

Focus 160,433 -18%

Mustang 66,623 -27%

Flex 38,717 +168%

Edge 88,548 -20%

Escape 173,044 +10%

Expedition 31,655 -43%

Explorer 52,190 -34%

F-Series 413,627 -20%

Ranger 55,600 -16%

Econoline 85,735 -32%

Transit Connect 8,834

Lincoln:

MKS 17,171 +32%

MKZ 22,081 -27%

MKX 21,433 -26%

Town car 11,375 -27%

MKT 2,580

Navigator 8,057 -46%

Mercury:

Grand Marquis 24,783 -17%

Milan 27,401 -13%

Mariner 28688 -11%

Mountaineer 5,169 -51%

Volvo:

S40 7,957 -18%

V50 2,155 +16%

S60 5,895 -34%

S80 8,331 -25%

V70 1816 -44%

XC60 8,262

XC70 5,825 -39%

XC90 10,757 -43%

C70 5,170 -7%

C30 4,260 -1%