Ford plans to extend the leadership of its best-selling line of pickups and commercial vehicles by growing its truck business even further this year.

In the heart of Ford Truck Country in Texas, Ford is announcing that F-Series trucks are on track to deliver unprecedented "back-to-back" chart- topping sales of 900,000 or more for 2005.

The company also promises to extend its stronghold as America's one-stop truck maker by expanding in every segment of its commercial truck business -- including the introduction this month of a new player, the 2006 Ford LCF.

F-Series has been the only nameplate -- car or truck -- to cross the 800,000 sales mark in more than 30 years. It has done it nine times -- and 2005 would be a 10th year. Last year, Ford set an all-time truck record with 939,511 F-Series sales. Plans are for 2005 sales of 900,000 or more.

The strong selling rate of F-Series is leading Ford to make strong gains in the market. Since the introduction of the all-new Ford F-150 in September 2003, F-Series' share of the full-size pickup segment has climbed 1.6 percentage points to 36.5 percent.

In fact, Ford sells one F-Series truck every 34 seconds in the U.S.

This year, Ford's commercial trucks are on track to outperform their industry-leading 2004 sales of nearly 325,000 units. Ford's full commercial vehicle lineup includes F-250 and F-350 pickups; F-250 through F-750 Chassis Cabs; E-Series van, wagon and cutaway models; and the all-new Ford LCF. While the F-Series pickups appeal to buyers for both commercial and recreational use, Ford's commercial trucks are designed to meet the unique needs of customers who need pure work-truck capability.

Among new offerings that will drive growth are AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control) -- now standard on all 2006 E-Series Extended Wagon models -- and the introduction of standard integrated upfitter switches on every 2006 Super Duty Chassis Cab model.

-Ford Enters a New Segment with Low Cab Forward

Ford's full line of commercial trucks gets even stronger this year as the new 2006 Ford LCF joins the marketplace. It gives Ford an entry among low cab forward trucks, one of the fastest growing segments in the commercial vehicle industry.

-Ford Motor Company-