Weather Weakens Ford's February Sales

<br>DETROIT (AP) _ Ford Motor Co.'s sales of new cars and trucks were flat in February compared with a year ago as the automaker, like the rest of the industry, faced an uncertain economy and winter

Monday, March 3rd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DETROIT (AP) _ Ford Motor Co.'s sales of new cars and trucks were flat in February compared with a year ago as the automaker, like the rest of the industry, faced an uncertain economy and winter storms that hampered business in parts of the country.

Ford, the world's No. 2 automaker behind General Motors Corp., said Monday its new car sales rose 3 percent last month, while light truck volume _ which includes pickups, sport utility vehicles, vans and minivans _ was down about 1 percent.

Most analysts had expected Ford's February sales to be about the same as last year. Ford was the first major automaker to report sales Monday.

``February was a challenging month,'' said Jim O'Connor, Ford's group vice president for North American marketing, sales and service. ``Plagued by uncertainty and paralyzing weather _ no wonder consumer confidence slumped.''

O'Connor said he expected the volatility in monthly sales and economic data to continue in the coming months.

Ford's Mercury brand sales were off 14 percent from the year-ago period, while Lincoln sales were down 5 percent.