DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday its U.S. sales fell 24 percent in May from a year ago, but sales rose 20 percent from April as the automaker continues to gain market share from its competitors now under bankruptcy protection.
General Motors Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection Monday. Chrysler LLC, which filed in April, is preparing to exit bankruptcy protection under an operating agreement with Italian automaker Fiat SpA. Both automakers, and others, report their May U.S. sales results later Monday.
Dearborn-based Ford said it sold 161,197 cars and light trucks in the U.S. last month. Sales of the Ford Fusion rose 9.4 percent as the company began selling new 2010 models of the midsize sedan along with a hybrid version. Ford said it sold a record number Fusions – 19,786 in May – which was surpassed only by sales of its F-series pickup trucks.
Ford says its better cars are driving sales and its increasing market share, not GM and Chrysler’s filings for bankruptcy protection. The company said it plans to increase production levels in the second quarter by 10,000 vehicles, to 445,000, in contrast to its U.S. competitors that are cutting production and idling plants this summer.
Ford also said it plans to build 460,000 vehicles in the third quarter, 42,000 more than in the third quarter of 2008.
Automakers are facing the worst U.S. sales climate in 27 years. The companies and analysts are expecting are a rebound as the consumer confidence improves, but there’s concern that heavy incentives to are inflating sales.
Ford said it decreased incentive spending in May but is launching a new program, “Drive the Ford Difference,” this month, in which the company will pay three months of car payments, up to $2,100. Zero-percent financing will also be available on some vehicles.
Shares of Ford rose 2 cents to $6.15 in midday trading.