DETROIT, Sept 1: Ford Motor Co. announced on Friday that its total US vehicle sales slumped 12 per cent in August compared with a year ago to 255,112 units as consumers were buffeted by high fuel costs.

Demand for Ford's fuel-guzzling trucks fell a hefty 21 per cent to 157,311 units, while passenger car sales slumped nine per cent to 97,801 units, according to a company statement.

Ford executives said price incentives had helped consumers offset rising fuel costs, but the company is struggling to regain its traction and said on Thursday it was looking to sell its luxury Aston Martin division.

“Retail business was very strong at the end of the month,” said an upbeat Al Giombetti, president of Ford and Lincoln Mercury brand sales.

“Zero per cent financing put a big dent in 2006 model inventories,” he said, stressing that Ford's August sales had “challenged” March as the best sales month of the year.—AFP