Ford’s US Sales Jump 12 Percent In August

DETROIT (AP) — Ford's U.S. auto sales jumped 12 percent in August on strong demand for the F-Series pickup as well as small cars.

F-Series sales rose 22 percent to 71,115. It was the second month this year that F-Series sales topped 70,000; the first time was in May. Ford hasn't sold more than 70,000 F-Series trucks in two separate months in the same year since 2006.

Small car sales were strong, too. Ford's recently redesigned Fiesta subcompact saw sales jump 61 percent, while the C-Max hybrid was up 44 percent.

Sales of Lincoln's new MKZ sedan were up 10 percent.

Ford said it will increase North American production by 7 percent in the fourth quarter, to 785,000 vehicles. Third-quarter production remains unchanged at 740,000.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.