DEARBORN -- Spurred by consumer demand for new, fuel-efficient Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products, the company's U.S. sales increased three percent in October versus a year ago and jumped 21 percent higher than September. 

The company's estimated total market share exceeded 15 percent in October, eclipsing its share for the first nine months of 2009.  Retail share in October also increased for the 12th time in 13 months.       

"Ford vehicles are among the freshest available by any automaker – with more than 80 percent of our sales in October coming from new 2010 models," said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. 

Czubay says the biggest surprise in October was to see the improvement in cars and crossovers during Ford's Truck Month promotion.  Cars were up 11 percent versus a year ago and crossovers were up 23 percent. 

"That never happens during Truck Month," Czubay explained.  "This speaks to the balanced lineup we have today."  

The new Ford Taurus remains hot with customers.  Retail sales more than tripled last year's and were one-and-a-half times September's level.

Fusion sales are up 24 percent and drawing consideration from import shoppers at a rate of 51 percent – an all-time high for Ford's midsize car and 10 points than a year ago. 

Although posting a sales decline of nine percent in October, F-Series increased its share of the full-size pickup segment. 
 
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury customers continue to opt for high levels of content and technology, fueling strong transaction prices. 

For example, Ford's new EcoBoost engine technology is drawing retail take rates of about 20 percent on Taurus, nearly a third on Lincoln MKS and approaching a 50-percent mix on the new Lincoln MKT – all exceeding company expectations.