Sales have deteriorated further this year, falling 18 per cent in line with the overall market. Falcon sales have proved more resilient, though, falling just 2 per cent, which has allowed Ford to increase its market share slightly. Burela said the company had trimmed costs and improved efficiency throughout its business. ''We are continuing to improve our business fundamentals and implement our strategic plan as we move through 2009,'' he said. Ford will build a new small car, the Focus, in Australia from 2011 as it attempts to re-shape its business to suit shifting buyer preferences. "This was a challenging year as the Australian market was affected by the global economic slowdown, but Ford Australia's underlying business continued to improve with strong new vehicle launches and our continued progress in lowering costs and gaining efficiencies," said Mr Burela in a statement. Ford now lags a distant third in local vehicle sales, behind Toyota and General Motors' Holden.