DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 19, 2001 – For the fifth year in a row, Ford is the best-selling brand of SUVs. With almost two weeks remaining in the 2001 calendar year, Ford dealers have delivered a record 760,090 sport utility vehicles to U.S. customers. Ford set the previous record (752,061) last year.

"This sales milestone reinforces Ford's leadership in the market," said Jim O'Connor, Ford Division president. "It says a lot about the strength of our No Boundaries SUV lineup. From the Escape to the Excursion, Ford offers a comprehensive product portfolio to satisfy our customer's needs."

The Ford Explorer – the flagship in Ford's lineup of No Boundaries SUVs – has been the best-selling sport utility vehicle every year since it was introduced in 1990. In 2001, Explorer sales will eclipse 400,000 for the fourth year in row, and Explorer is expected to outsell its closest competitor by 60 percent.