Source: Autoblog
Further proof that Cash for Clunkers is fueling sales of small cars comes today by way of Ford. The Blue Oval is reportedly cranking up production of the Focus compact in order to satisfy demand. Shortly after the government’s scrappage plan was launched, news came that the Ford Focus was the top-selling nameplate on Cash for Clunkers trade-ins, though it was subsequently replaced by the Toyota Corolla and Ford’s own Escape.
Once again, there is some good news from our heros at Ford HQ, with CEO Allan Mulally announcing Ford will be increasing production of all models to meet “the desirablilty of Ford products” (Amen! 
).
Ford USA (incl. Lincoln and Mercury) have, for the first time in a year, over-turned market leader, Toyota, and have managed to sell more cars. Ford’s final tally was 129,898 which is a 31% drop over April 2008 sales, whereas Toyota, at 126,540, dropped 42% over the same period.
So the world is going into a predicted recession. Well, that’s what the bean-counters are saying anyways. Then we have Al Gore harping on about Global Warming / Climate Change. Sounds like we are doomed eh? But if you don’t believe in these (ie: you’re spending more & more each day while still driving ur big 4WD through the city for a loaf of bread) then Ford is thinking just like you. In an announcement yesterday, to keep up with predicted demand for the new 2009 F-150, Ford has given 1,000 workers, which it laid off at the start of the year due to being short on sales & money, their jobs back.
The Ford Flex has been on sale in the U.S for a year now but it is slowly under-performing to Fords standards. Will a new advertising campaign change this? Or is the Flex doomed to the scrap heap? The Detroit News’ Bryce Hoffman reports:
Source: LeftLaneNews.com
Ford was hoping that its squared-off new crossover, the Flex, would be a runaway success in the vein of the 1986 Taurus. The Flex, which vaguely resembles the box that the aerodynamic Taurus came in, has seen falling sales in the last two months – not a good sign for a vehicle that has been on the market for four months.
In an official press release from Volkswagen AG (Auto Group), Volkswagen has indeed confirmed becoming the worlds #3 auto-maker – thus pushing Ford PAG (Premier Auto Group) down to #4. These placings are of course based on international car sales.
