Ford Vehicle

Chrysler said it sold 161,088 units. Gainers included the Sebring convertible, the Town & Country minivan and the Dodge Charger while consumers were more inclined to bypass large SUVs such as the Jeep Commander. Ford said continued demand for crossovers and fuel-sippers, as well as increased fleet sales, drove its U.S. sales in November to 182,951 units, up 0.4 percent from 182,259 a year ago.

The company said sales of its Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossover vehicles were strong, as were those of its smaller SUVs, the Ford Escape and the Mercury Mariner. Hybrid versions of the Escape and Mariner sold at record levels in November. Sales of the 2008 Focus were up 18 percent compared to a year ago, helped by the SYNC in-car entertainment and technology system.

Ford also continued its planned withdrawal from sales to daily rental car fleets, which were down 6 percent compared to a year ago. However, sales to government and commercial fleets were up 25 percent, helping to offset a 3 percent decline in sales to individual retail customers. Ford also said it plans to make 685,000 vehicles in North America in the first quarter of 2008; that’s down from 740,000 in the same period a year ago.

Toyota also reported a minute percentage increase but said its November sales of 197,189 units, up 0.3 percent over last year, was a record for the month. Sales of passenger cars were up 6.2 percent, led by the Camry sedan. Sales of the hybrid Camry were up 65 percent compared to a year ago, and the hybrid Prius post a 109 percent increase in sales to 16,737 units. Toyota’s light trucks and its Lexus division posted sales declines.