"Top Ten" Ford and Lincoln Mercury Highlights for the Week of March 12, 2007

1. Ford Edge Market Share Neck and Neck with Nissan Murano : In February, its second full month on sale, the Ford Edge earned a 12.5 percent share of the medium crossover utility segment – higher than the gas-model Toyota Highlander (11.7 percent) and closing in on the Nissan Murano (12.6 percent).

2. Ford Edge Outsells GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook Combined : In February, Ford sold a total of 7,997 Edges, 521 more units than the gas-powered Toyota Highlander and only 103 units less than Nissan Murano. Edge outsold the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook combined by 1,814 units.

3. Lincoln MKX Passes Competitors :In January and February, its first two full months on sale, the 2007 Lincoln MKX outsold the Cadillac SRX by nearly 17 percent (4,007 units vs. 3,432 units). On average, each Lincoln MKX is sold or “turned” in 12 days. That is four days faster than the Acura MDX, more than twice as fast as the Cadillac SRX and Lexus RX 350, and more than three times faster than Infiniti FX35, according to J.D. Power PIN data.

4. Ford Mustang Share up Sharply : The Mustang dramatically improved its market share in the sporty coupe segment in the first two months of the year, rising from 39 percent in 2006 to 51 percent today. While overall sales are down so far this year, the spring and summer selling seasons (March – August) account for more than half of annual sales.

5. Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner Hybrid Tax Credits Increase :Because the real world fuel economy of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids increased for the 2008 model year, the Federal income tax credits available now are $3,000 for FWD models (up $400) and $2,200 on 4WD models (up $250). The Ford and Mercury Hybrids now have the highest tax credit of any hybrid – up to $900 more than the closest competitor. For both vehicles, the new EPA-certified fuel economy for FWD models is 34 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, and 29 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for AWD models.

6. Insurance Discounts for Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner Hybrids : Travelers, one of the largest providers of personal insurance products in the United States, offers hybrid drivers in the states of California, New Jersey, Texas, New York, Maryland, Florida, Kentucky, Georgia and Washington discounts of up to 10 percent on certain coverages. The company estimates their hybrid policy business grew by 200 percent in 2006.

7. Ford Fusion, Ford Escape Rank among the Top “Smart Cars for Teens,” according to www.forbes.com. Among the criteria: value, reliability and safety. Fusion was singled out by Forbes for its standard safety equipment, good crash test ratings, gas mileage, “very good” accident-avoidance capabilities and “much better than average” predicted reliability.

8. “Ford is Showing Moxie,” according to a www.businessweek.com column. Writing about the Ford Challenge, the columnist said, “Suburban and Tahoe have the best reputations in the full-size SUV market…but the new Expedition, especially the extended version, to me, seems like a better styled and packaged vehicle than the Chevy SUVs. The interior is first rate, and the third-row seat advantage is clear.” The column also said, “The Ford Fusion is a car that far over-achieves … perception, and that is a story that can be told.”

9. Greener Miles: With the launch of the 2008 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable this summer, every sedan Ford and Mercury sell in California, New York, Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts will be available with a “green” powertrain option. The Ford Focus, Fusion I-4 and Taurus will be PZEVs, or partial zero emissions vehicles, as will the Mercury Milan I-4 and Mercury Sable. That makes their tailpipe emissions as clean – or cleaner – than many hybrids. The Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis, meanwhile, are E-85-capable in all 50 states, with increased ethanol usage reducing the country’s dependence on imported oil.

10. Rock Stars, Ford Cars and Guitars : Three Fords will be centerpieces of the exhibit “Rock Stars, Cars and Guitars,” which opens at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich. on June 9. They are the 1971 De Tomaso Pantera formerly owned by Elvis Presley, which includes a bullet hole shot by the King himself; the 1932 “Silver Sapphire” Ford coupe that appeared on the cover of the Beach Boys’ album “Little Deuce Coupe”; and the 1932 Ford Hi-Boy Phaeton hot rod featured in the Van Halen music video “Hot for Teacher.”