DEARBORN -- August U.S. sales figures show that for the 22nd time in the last 23 months, Ford’s retail market share continues to grow.

It’s quite an accomplishment for the company and its employees, says Ford Sales Analyst George Pipas, who couldn’t help but reflect back on the early years of the Way Forward Plan. 

“It was tough sledding back then because everybody was working hard and worrying about whether they’d even have a job,” he said.  “Today, it’s like we planted, we sowed, and now we’re beginning to harvest.  Ford is continuing to see growing numbers of consumers consider our cars, utilities and trucks for their next new vehicle purchase.” 

Year-to-date, Ford sales totaled 1.28 million – up 18 percent, which is double the growth of the overall industry.  Pipas says the increase is due to Ford’s lineup of high-quality and fuel-efficient products.

“Ford products have been increasingly recognized over the last couple of years for their quality and now we are ranked among the very best,” said Pipas.  “Our fuel economy is rated at or near the top in every segment, and the recent designation of the 2011 Ford Fiesta as a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is the eighth Ford vehicle to earn the Institute’s top designation – breaking a tie with Toyota for the most “Top Safety Picks” of any automaker.“ 

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales for the month of August were down 11 percent versus the same time a year ago, but Pipas says that decline comes as no surprise due to the huge increase in vehicle sales that resulted from last summer’s “Cash for Clunkers” program.

“All of the tables and comparisons are skewed by the overwhelming success of the Cash for Clunkers program,” he explained.  “But what’s cool is that out of top four companies recognized for having done well in last year’s Cash for Clunkers program, only Ford had a market share increase one year later.” 

Ford’s popular F-Series truck was a strong performer in August, posting one of its highest sales months in the last two years.  August sales were up 5 percent versus a year ago, and year-to-date, F-Series sales totaled 338,446, making it the only U.S. vehicle to eclipse the 300,000 milestone in 2010.

August sales for Ford’s E-Series van were up 92 percent versus a year ago, and Taurus sales were up 51 percent.

“It’s just very exciting to see this tree starting to blossom,” said Pipas.  “From a Ford employee perspective it’s a real proof point.”