Ford Motor Co. posted a 24 percent jump in January US auto sales on Tuesday and estimated its market share grew by two points from a year earlier.
The gains follow strong growth in recent months and came after rival Toyota was forced to suspend sales on some of its most popular models in the wake of a massive recall due to faulty accelerator pedals.
“People increasingly are discovering that the Ford difference is the strength of our products, particularly our leadership in quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart technologies and value,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president for US marketing, sales and service.
Ford estimated that its total sales of 112,406 vehicles in January would result in a US market share of about 16 percent.
The second largest US automaker said higher sales for every brand and in every product category propelled the growth.
Cars sales were up 43 percent, crossovers were up 20 percent, sport utilities were up eight percent, and trucks and vans were up 14 percent.
Among brands, Ford sales were up 26 percent, Lincoln sales were up 16 percent and Mercury sales were up six percent.
Sales to government, commercial and rental fleets were up 154 percent from last January’s depressed levels when purchases were deferred due to the credit crunch and economic crisis.
Sales at Volvo, which Ford is in the midst of selling to China’s Geely, were up 42 percent at 4,128 vehicles.
Ford, which unlike General Motors and Chrysler was able to survive the industry’s worst year in decades without resorting to bankruptcy and government bailouts, posted its first annual profit since 2005 last week.
The company reported net earnings of 2.7 billion dollars profit for 2009 and said it expects to be profitable in 2010 and 2011.
The results represent a stunning comeback for Ford after years of painful restructuring and bleeding balance sheets.
Ford also managed to post its first annual market share gain since 1995 last year.
