Ford sales steady despite slow economy

US number two auto producer Ford turned in solid sales in September despite worries that a slower economy would set back the industry recovery, company data showed Monday. Ford sold 175,199 new vehicles last month, just 21 less than in August and nine percent higher than a year before, when the industry was still emerging from the 2008-2009 crash. Ford said sales of its SUVs, shunned in the past few years for their high fuel consumption, were particularly strong. SUV sales, just over one-quarter of the total, were up by 35 percent from a year earlier, Ford said. "Ford's continued success in this segment demonstrates our ability to constantly adapt to customers' changing needs, providing them the fuel economy they want and the functionality they need," said Ken Czubay, Ford's US marketing vice president.