(January 1, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford’s Quick Lane vehicle maintenance business – the fastest-growing service brand in the industry — sold a record 1 million tires in 2010 and is on track to post record sales of more than $550 million for the year.

“We are very pleased with the continued strong growth of Quick Lane,” said Frederiek Toney, president of Ford’s Customer Service Division globally. “As more customers are keeping their vehicles even longer, vehicle maintenance becomes even more important.”

Ford’s Quick Lane business remains the fastest-growing service brand in the industry and offers routine vehicle maintenance such as oil and filter changes, and light repair services such as tire replacements and brake repairs – especially important during the winter driving season.

Tire sales to Quick Lane operators recently surpassed the 1 million mark for the first time ever in a calendar year. Quick Lane’s network of 585 stores is also on track to surpass $550 million in sales in 2010, representing a 25 percent year-over-year increase.

Strong tire sales are consistent across the entire U.S. Quick Lane network. Dawn Walston, general manager from Titus Will Ford in Tacoma, Wash., is experiencing the growth firsthand as tire sales in her Quick Lane shop are up 70 percent year-over-year.

“Our tire sales have been outstanding this year,” said Walston. “Tires are one of the smartest investments you can make when it comes to maintaining your vehicle, especially during the winter driving months. We continue to experience strong growth due to our ability to provide tires for all makes and models – with pricing that beats all competitors."

Quick Lane offers tires from 11 leading brands including Goodyear, Michelin and Continental, among others, and offers the guaranteed best price on all tires sold.

Quick Lane operators around the country also continue to experience an increase in routine maintenance services from vehicles other than Ford, Lincoln or Mercury products. Sales to competitive-make vehicles are up 25 percent nationally year-over-year as consumers continue to migrate to Quick Lane shops for fast and convenient services – all performed by factory-trained technicians.