Ford Motor Co, which reported first quarter net loss of $1.43 billion, said Friday its April sales in the Americas fell 31.6 percent amidst the economic downturn.

Sales tumbled to 134,401 vehicles from 196,385 vehicles a year ago, however sales of all hybrid models rose 21 percent to 2,299 vehicles versus a year earlier.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury totaled sales down 31.4 percent to 129,898 vehicles compared to 189,247 vehicles a year earlier.

We continue to operate in a very challenging economic and competitive environment, said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, Sales and Marketing. Especially given this external environment, we're very encouraged by the consumer response to our new mid-size sedans.

Among those, car sales also fell 28.8 percent, crossover sales decline 15.1 percent, sport-utility vehicle sales drop 60.9 percent, and truck and van sales down 35.8 percent.

The Ford brand alone fell 30 percent to 116,263 vehicles from 165,997 vehicles,

as shares tumbles 20 cents to 3.34 percent at $5.78 in the regular trading.

Ford Motor Company