BEIJING, Aug. 14 - As a result of increasing consumer demand, U.S. automaker Ford Motor has said it will increase production.

    Ford announced on Thursday that it will boost third-quarter production in North America by another 10,000 units to meet the increased demand.

    According to Ford America's President, Mark Fields, the company's third-quarter production goal is now 495,000 units, about 18 percent higher than a year ago.

    Ford also said it will increase its production target for the fourth quarter to 570,000 vehicles, a 33 percent increase over the same period last year.

    Ford is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the U.S. government's "cash for clunkers" program. Its Ford Focus compact has been one of the most popular choices for customers taking advantage of the program, which provides up to 4,500 U.S. dollars to motorists trading in gas-guzzlers for new, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

    U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law a 2-billion-dollar extension of cash for clunkers program last Friday after Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood warned Congress the program was about to use up the initial 1-billion-dollars allocated by lawmakers.

    Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Chicago. (XHTV)