Ford Motor Company U.S. sales totaled 254,084 vehicles in May, up 3 percent from a year ago. Ford Sales Analyst, Erich Merkle, says retail sales set several model records with 174,889 vehicles sold – an increase of 6 percent.

“We were up 3 percent, but more importantly we really shined on retail. Retail was up 6 percent and we had our best May retail sales month going all the way back to 2004, 10 years ago.”

Both the Ford Fusion and Ford Escape established there best-ever monthly sales records, and had their best sales month in May.

“Escape was the first time that it exceeded 30,000 vehicles and Explorer, Explorer was the first time that we saw Explorer cross 20,000 vehicles, for the new Explorer.”

Merkle says Ford Fusion set an all-time monthly record in May, with the West region of the U.S. responsible for pushing Fusion sales higher with a 42 percent increase.

“When we look at Escape, we sold a total of 31,896 vehicles, which was the first time ever that Escape has broken the 30,000 mark and that was up 10 percent of a year ago.”

On the luxury brand front, Lincoln sales were also up for the month of May.

“Lincoln sales were up 21 percent in the month of May and have been up 21 percent year to date. Lincoln MKZ really led the way, and had its best May sales results ever.”

Merkle says the MKZ was not alone this time, as the MKC luxury brand made sales gains as well.

“It’s our new small premium utility vehicle, started sales at the end of the month and we sold 677 of them.”

Merkle says the month of May was good for the company and the industry was very strong.