"Ford sold 13,314 vehicles during June, which is a 15-year June high for the company as well as our best overall monthly result since August 1995," Ford Australia Marketing and Sales Vice President Bruce McDonald said.

"Our June sales were up by 1,056 units on 2003, an increase of 8.6 per cent."

Falcon Ute led the Ford charge, reaching an all-time record of 2,021 units on its way to a record running total of 10,222 sales for the first six months.

"Falcon Ute was the top selling light commercial in Australia last year, setting a new record of 20,212 units for its market segment, and is on track for another record year in 2004," Mr McDonald said.

"The June year-to-date result is already 520 units up on last year and with the special edition Tradesman, SE and Marlin models doing well, our Falcon Ute range is primed for a big second half to the year."

Territory also played a key role in the successful June result, recording 1372 sales in its first full month on sale, while Falcon enjoyed its best month to date this year with 6,716 retails.

"Territory's introduction has had an immediate impact on the medium SUV segment," Mr McDonald said.

"To see solid numbers like this for Territory in its first month on sale is just reward for all the people who have worked so hard to bring this exciting new vehicle to market."

Mr McDonald said the Falcon Ute and Territory results were just some of the highlights for the company in the June sales figures.

• Total SUV sales were the best on record with 1,653 units sold
• Falcon Wagon recorded its best month to date in 2004 with 1,260 retails
• Passenger vehicle sales for June were at their highest level since June 1999

"With total Ford sales for the year up by almost 3,000 units on 2003 figures, combined with the promising early performance of Territory, the scene has been set for an exciting second half of the year," he said.