Ford's U.S. Sales Up 43 Percent; Second-Quarter Production Up 144,000 Vehicles Versus Year Ago
DEARBORN, Mich., March 2 /PRNewswire/ --
- Ford, Lincoln and Mercury February sales up 43 percent versus year ago and 22 percent higher than January
- Ford brand sales up 46 percent versus year ago, Lincoln up 19 percent and Mercury up 24 percent
- Cars up 54 percent versus year ago, utilities up 39 percent and trucks up 36 percent
- Ford's U.S. market share for February estimated at 17 percent, up 3 percentage points versus a year ago
- Retail sales up 28 percent versus a year ago; fleet sales normalizing – up 74 percent versus last February's depressed levels
- Second-quarter North American production plan is 595,000 vehicles, up 144,000 vehicles (32 percent) versus a year ago
Higher sales for every brand and in every product category propelled Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) to a 43 percent sales increase in February versus a year ago. Compared with January, Ford's February sales are up 22 percent.
"The strength of our new products and Ford's leadership in quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value are resonating with customers," said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing Sales and Service. "The good news is we have even more new products and fuel-efficient powertrains coming this year, and we expect our progress to continue."
February sales were higher throughout Ford's line-up. Cars were up 54 percent versus a year ago, utilities were up 39 percent, and trucks were up 36 percent. Among brands, Ford sales were up 46 percent, Lincoln sales were up 19 percent, and Mercury sales were up 24 percent.
Year to date through February, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 250,050, up 34 percent versus a year ago.
Ford said it remains committed to delivering the freshest line-up of new products in the U.S. industry. New or significantly upgraded vehicles this year include the Ford Fiesta, Focus, Edge and Edge Sport, Explorer, F-Series Super Duty, Transit Connect Electric, Lincoln MKX and an all-new small car for Mercury.
In addition, the company is introducing nine new or upgraded fuel-efficient engines and six new transmissions this year. They include the new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, new Mustang V-6 and V-8, new Super Duty 6.7-liter diesel and 6.2-liter gasoline engines.
"This is the most ambitious powertrain upgrade ever undertaken by Ford," said Czubay. "Our goal is to provide our customers with industry-leading fuel economy and performance – and more reasons to shop Ford and buy Ford."
Ford estimates its February U.S. total market share was approximately 17 percent – up 3 percentage points versus a year ago.
In February, Ford sales to retail customers were 28 percent higher versus a year ago, and sales to fleet customers were up 74 percent.
North American Production
In the second quarter of 2010, Ford plans to produce 595,000 vehicles, up 144,000 vehicles (32 percent) versus the same period a year ago. Ford's first quarter production plan is 570,000 vehicles, unchanged from the prior forecast.
Additional Sales Highlights
- February sales of the Ford Fusion, Motor Trend's Car of the Year, were more than double year-ago levels (up 116 percent). Fusion set a new February sales record – its 10th monthly sales record in 11 months. The Fusion Hybrid recently was named North American Car of the Year.
- Mercury Milan sales were higher than a year ago for the fourth month in a row.
- February sales of Ford Mustang and Focus and Lincoln MKZ also were higher.
- Ford Taurus sales totaled 6,359, up 93 percent versus a year ago. Since the introduction of the all-new model in August, Taurus sales are nearly double year-ago levels. The average conquest rate for Taurus is 46 percent nationwide and 76 percent on the West Coast.
- Ford's F-Series – America's best-selling truck for 33 years in a row and best-selling vehicle (car or truck) for 28 years in row – posted a 39 percent increase in February. In 2009, F-Series increased its leadership position among full-size pickups with a 4 percentage-point gain in segment share, and the F-Series continues to gain share in 2010 with a 6-point gain in January.
- Production of the all-new F-Series Super Duty has begun at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant.
- Utility vehicles also posted strong sales increases. In February, Escape sales were up 50 percent versus a year ago, Edge sales were up 67 percent, Flex sales were up 19 percent, and Mercury Mariner sales were up 39 percent. Sales for traditional SUVs (Explorer, Expedition and Navigator) also were higher than a year ago.
- Sales for Ford's E-Series van (Econoline/Club Wagon) were up 26 percent versus a year ago. E-Series has been America's best-selling full-size van for 31 years.
- Sales of the new Transit Connect – a small commercial van introduced in mid-2009 – totaled 1,338 in February. Ford's share of the commercial van segment is more than 60 percent. Production of a battery-electric Transit Connect begins later this year.
Note: The sales data included in this release and the accompanying tables are based largely on data reported by dealers representing their sales to retail and fleet customers.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 198,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com
FORD MOTOR COMPANY FEBRUARY 2010 U.S. SALES ------------------------------------------- February % Year-To-Date % -------- ------------ 2010 2009 Change 2010 2009 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ Sales By Brand Ford 123,507 84,422 46.3 223,395 163,744 36.4 Lincoln 6,681 5,633 18.6 13,717 11,724 17.0 Mercury 7,456 5,989 24.5 12,938 11,172 15.8 ----- ----- ------ ------ Total Ford, Lincoln and Mercury 137,644 96,044 43.3 250,050 186,640 34.0 Volvo 4,641 3,356 38.3 8,769 6,266 39.9 ----- ----- ----- ----- Total Ford Motor Company 142,285 99,400 43.1 258,819 192,906 34.2 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Sales By Type Cars 53,241 34,678 53.5 94,291 63,385 48.8 Utilities 38,204 27,432 39.3 70,192 54,862 27.9 Trucks 46,199 33,934 36.1 85,567 68,393 25.1 ------ ------ ------ ------ Total Vehicles 137,644 96,044 43.3 250,050 186,640 34.0 FORD BRAND FEBRUARY 2010 U.S. SALES ----------------------------------- February % Year-To-Date % -------- ------------ 2010 2009 Change 2010 2009 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ Focus 13,708 9,904 38.4 24,097 17,673 36.3 Fusion 16,459 7,603 116.5 28,638 15,755 81.8 Taurus 6,359 3,290 93.3 10,127 4,995 102.7 Mustang 5,115 2,990 71.1 9,862 5,934 66.2 Crown Victoria 2,504 3,272 -23.5 5,648 4,918 14.8 ----- ----- ----- ----- Ford Cars 44,145 27,059 63.1 78,372 49,275 59.1 Escape 15,156 10,090 50.2 25,909 18,450 40.4 Edge 8,694 5,214 66.7 14,937 10,187 46.6 Flex 2,802 2,352 19.1 5,254 4,811 9.2 Taurus X 1 1,160 -99.9 1 2,039 -100.0 Explorer 4,038 3,073 31.4 8,285 6,760 22.6 Expedition 2,472 1,564 58.1 5,070 3,941 28.6 ----- ----- ----- ----- Ford Utilities 33,163 23,453 41.4 59,456 46,188 28.7 F-Series 32,895 23,614 39.3 60,525 48,851 23.9 Ranger 3,706 3,597 3.0 7,849 6,410 22.4 Econoline/Club Wagon 7,981 6,349 25.7 14,158 12,205 16.0 Transit Connect 1,338 0 NA 2,499 0 NA Low Cab Forward 14 10 40.0 21 29 -27.6 Heavy Trucks 265 340 -22.1 515 786 -34.5 --- --- --- --- Ford Trucks 46,199 33,910 36.2 85,567 68,281 25.3 ------ ------ ------ ------ Ford Brand 123,507 84,422 46.3 223,395 163,744 36.4 LINCOLN BRAND FEBRUARY 2010 U.S. SALES -------------------------------------- February % Year-To-Date % -------- ------------ 2010 2009 Change 2010 2009 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ MKZ 1,761 1,145 53.8 3,101 2,706 14.6 MKS 1,183 1,346 -12.1 2,463 2,881 -14.5 Town Car 1,097 1,084 1.2 1,874 1,594 17.6 MKX 1,452 1,669 -13.0 3,650 3,404 7.2 MKT 647 0 NA 1,362 0 NA Navigator 541 365 48.2 1,267 1,027 23.4 Mark LT 0 24 -100.0 0 112 -100.0 - -- - --- Lincoln Brand 6,681 5,633 18.6 13,717 11,724 17.0 MERCURY BRAND FEBRUARY 2010 U.S. SALES -------------------------------------- February % Year-To-Date % -------- ------------ 2010 2009 Change 2010 2009 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ Milan 2,675 1,340 99.6 4,556 3,018 51.0 Grand Marquis 2,371 1,433 65.5 3,907 2,158 81.0 Sable 9 1,271 -99.3 18 1,753 -99.0 Mariner 2,096 1,508 39.0 3,842 3,249 18.3 Mountaineer 305 437 -30.2 615 994 -38.1 --- --- --- --- Mercury Brand 7,456 5,989 24.5 12,938 11,172 15.8 VOLVO BRAND FEBRUARY 2010 U.S. SALES ------------------------------------ February % Year-To-Date % -------- ------------ 2010 2009 Change 2010 2009 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ S40 657 491 33.8 1,262 891 41.6 V50 252 128 96.9 405 264 53.4 S60 17 273 -93.8 23 548 -95.8 S80 662 671 -1.3 1,194 1,144 4.4 V70 93 71 31.0 189 162 16.7 XC60 667 235 183.8 1,156 235 391.9 XC70 576 369 56.1 1,193 839 42.2 XC90 680 665 2.3 1,513 1,238 22.2 C70 710 253 180.6 1,063 525 102.5 C30 327 200 63.5 771 420 83.6 --- --- --- --- Volvo Brand 4,641 3,356 38.3 8,769 6,266 39.9
SOURCE Ford Motor Company
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