In 2000, Ford sold a little more than 500,000 CUVs. In 2006, Ford sold almost 2,500,000, nearly a 400% increase in just six years. In fact, CUVs and midsized cars now account for 50% of Ford's sales, having claimed 20% from the sales of Ford's best-selling trucks and SUVs.

With crossovers in general being the fastest growing segment in autos, the Edge and Lincoln MKZ are leading the way for Ford. The Edge -- with a conquest rate of 41% -- is outselling the Fusion, with both models still showing month-on-month gains. The MKZ is no slouch either, selling more than the RDX and the both of Infiniti's FX models.

We don't know how often this kind of thing happens, however: Bob King, a dealer in Cincinnati, said that a couple traded a 2004 BMW Z3 and a 2004 Corvette for two new Edges. And that was after they tested a BMW X5 and Lexus RX 330. Even if that's not happening every day, the sales trend is very good news for the Blue Oval. By the end of 2008, Ford will have six CUV's on the market, and predicts CUV sales to reach 3 million by 2010.

[Source: Blue Oval News]