Ford Motor posted a weaker than expected 13.3% increase in June U.S. sales on July 1 as sales slipped from May's stronger incentive-driven performance.
Ford hailed the results which saw retail sales grow by 15% -- the 20th time in the past 21 months that the number two U.S. automaker posted retail sales growth.
Fleet sales also grew by 15%, reflecting increased demand for trucks from commercial customers.
"New products continue to drive Ford's success," Ken Czubay, Ford vice president for U.S. sales said.
"Ford and its dealers continue to offer customers the strongest value proposition - leading fuel economy, quality and resale value on a wide range of vehicles. That's why our business is growing."
Total sales rose to 170,900 from 148,153 in June 2009 but were down from the 192,253 vehicles sold in May.
Sales for the first half of the year were up 28% at 954,745 vehicles.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2010
