DEARBORN, MI – Ford numbers for the month of April showed strong growth in sales of commercial vehicles to fleet customers. Fleet sales were up 31 percent (commercial was up 33 percent, government grew 10 percent, and daily rental increased 39 percent) during the month. Year-to-date, total sales were 686,498, up 16 percent. Fleet sales were up 14 percent (commercial was up 33 percent, government grew 11 percent, and daily rental increased 2 percent).

Specific examples of fleet vehicles sold include the automaker’s F-Series trucks. Sales totaled 45,435 units, up 11 percent compared with a year ago. 

In January, Ford launched the 2011 F-150 with four new powertrains including two V-6s – a 3.7L and a 3.5L EcoBoost. In April, V-6-equipped F-150s accounted for 50 percent of all 2011 F-150 retail sales, up from 40 percent in March. The EcoBoost engine accounts for almost 75 percent of the V-6 rate, Ford stated. Ford’s commercial vehicles also posted year-to-year increases. Econoline sales totaled 11,611 (up 14 percent) and Transit Connect sales were 2,668 (up 20 percent).

Ford’s retail sales also posted solid gains, with April sales increasing 16 percent versus a year ago and year-to-date sales up 16 percent, totaling 686,498 vehicles. Ford said retail sales of its new Fiesta, for the second month in a row, exceeded 9,000 units. Sales of the new 2012 Focus totaled 17,265 at retail, up 22 percent versus a year ago. Sales of the Fusion set a new April record at retail, with sales of 21,189, up 12 percent versus a year ago.