Ford Sales Rise; Market Share Up

DETROIT (TheStreet) -- Ford(F Quote) said October sales rose 3%, while its market share rose for the 12th time in the past 13 months.

The automaker said October sales totaled 136,920, up 3% from the low base of October 2008 and up 21% from September 2009, also a low base because the Cash for Clunkers program drew sales ahead to August. October was the third time in the last four months that Ford sales have increased. However, year-to-date sales show a 20.4% decline from 2008 levels.

The company's October market share was more than 15%. "The Ford plan is working, led by the strength of our product lineup and customer demand for our new cars, utilities and trucks," said Ken Czubay, vice president for marketing, in a prepared statement.

Taurus sales totaled 6,079, up 141% from a year earlier. Fusion sales totaled 13,445, up 24%. Sales of the Ford F-Series truck reached 39,496, down 9%.

-- Written by Ted Reed in Charlotte, N.C. .