Ford's US sales up 14 pct on F-Series, Fusion

[November 02, 2013]  DETROIT (AP) -- Ford Motor Co.'s U.S. sales rose 14 percent in October as demand for F-Series pickups continued despite the government shutdown.

F-Series sales were up 13 percent to 63,803. It was the sixth straight month that F-Series sales have topped 60,000. The last time that happened was 2006.

Fusion sedan sales jumped 71 percent over last October, when the old model was being phased out. Ford says it's seeing strong Fusion sales on the East and West coasts.

Ford's car sales rose 16.5 percent thanks to increases for the Fusion and Taurus. But sales of the Focus small car fell 17.5 percent while the C-Max hybrid fell 20.5 percent. Ford recently announced it will idle the Michigan plant where both vehicles are made for two weeks to cut down on inventory.

[Associated Press]

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