Ford Reports July 2008 Sales-Down
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DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 1 -- Ford's redesigned Focus continues to surprise auto industry watchers and customers alike with strong sales, revenue growth, fuel economy and industry-first technology.
While Ford and industry sales experienced a double-digit sales decline in July, Ford Focus sales climbed 16 percent versus a year ago. Year-to-date, Focus sales were up 26 percent, compared with industry-wide small car growth of approximately 9 percent.
Focus has surprised in areas other than sales:
-- Transaction prices - Year-to-date, Focus transaction prices have increased $750 per unit compared with a segment-average increase of $100. Customers are purchasing more equipment, including Ford SYNC, and higher series levels.
-- Fuel Economy - In an independent test conducted by Edmunds.com called the Gas-Sipper Smackdown, Focus achieved 37.5 mpg on the highway. Focus has EPA highway fuel economy of 35 mpg -- better than the smaller 2008 Honda Fit and 2009 Nissan Versa SL.
-- Cool Technology - Focus was named one of Kelley Blue Book's 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 based on its safety, fuel economy, interior size, comfort, technology, fun-to-drive and the "decidedly subjective coolness factor."
"Focus continues to surprise and delight customers throughout the country, but the bombshell is in Texas, where Focus retail sales have almost doubled," said Jim Farley, Ford, group vice president, Marketing and Communications. "If we can increase small car sales in Texas, we can increase them anywhere." Year-to-date, Focus retail sales were up 91 percent in Texas and 46 percent nationwide.
Total Ford, Lincoln and Mercury car sales were up 8 percent compared with a year ago. Consistent with industry trends, crossover vehicles -- which include Ford Escape, Edge and Flex -- were down 8 percent. Sport utility vehicles -- such as Ford Explorer and Expedition -- were down 54 percent, and trucks and vans -- including Ford F-Series and Econoline -- were down 18 percent.
Overall, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle sales totaled 156,406 in July, down 13 percent versus a year ago; year-to-date sales totaled 1.265 million, also down 14 percent. Ford estimates industry-wide sales were down 11 percent year-to-date.
"We expect the second half of 2008 will be more challenging than the first half as economic and credit conditions weaken," said Farley.
Ford's full-year industry sales forecast is a range from 14.0 - 14.5 million vehicles (including medium and heavy trucks). The first half sales rate was approximately 15 million.
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 229,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit our website at www.ford.com .
FORD MOTOR COMPANY JULY 2008 U.S. SALES
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July % Year-To-Date %
---- ------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Sales By Brand
Ford 138,175 160,590 -14.0 1,117,746 1,285,606 -13.1
Lincoln 8,819 8,929 -1.2 65,713 82,262 -20.1
Mercury 9,412 10,852 -13.3 82,007 106,044 -22.7
----- ------ ------ -------
Total Ford,
Lincoln and
Mercury 156,406 180,371 -13.3 1,265,466 1,473,912 -14.1
Volvo 5,124 9,549 -46.3 51,305 63,357 -19.0
----- ----- ------ ------
Total Ford
Motor Company 161,530 189,920 -14.9 1,316,771 1,537,269 -14.3
Ford, Lincoln and
Mercury Sales By
Type
Cars 57,177 53,062 7.8 457,622 479,977 -4.7
Crossover Utility
Vehicles 27,336 29,645 -7.8 240,393 236,943 1.5
Sport Utility
Vehicles 10,213 22,393 -54.4 108,921 172,957 -37.0
Trucks and Vans 61,680 75,271 -18.1 458,530 584,035 -21.5
------ ------ ------- -------
Total Trucks 99,229 127,309 -22.1 807,844 993,935 -18.7
------ ------- ------- -------
Total
Vehicles 156,406 180,371 -13.3 1,265,466 1,473,912 -14.1
FORD BRAND JULY 2008 U.S. SALES
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July % Year-To-Date %
---- ------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Crown Victoria 4,325 3,117 38.8 31,765 39,328 -19.2
Taurus 4,100 6,163 -33.5 36,016 42,433 -15.1
Fusion 10,607 9,347 13.5 98,530 88,042 11.9
Focus 15,200 13,144 15.6 138,649 109,876 26.2
Mustang 10,711 10,684 0.3 65,764 88,025 -25.3
GT 0 0 NA 0 231 -100.0
- - - ---
Ford Cars 44,943 42,455 5.9 370,724 367,935 0.8
Flex 2,204 0 NA 3,583 0 NA
Edge 8,508 9,096 -6.5 77,235 67,879 13.8
Escape 10,421 12,440 -16.2 102,486 104,645 -2.1
Taurus X 2,034 2,705 -24.8 16,803 22,483 -25.3
----- ----- ------ ------
Ford Crossover
Utility Vehicles 23,167 24,241 -4.4 200,107 195,007 2.6
Expedition 3,469 8,169 -57.5 35,760 58,503 -38.9
Explorer 5,404 11,212 -51.8 55,339 85,916 -35.6
----- ------ ------ ------
Ford Sport Utility
Vehicles 8,873 19,381 -54.2 91,099 144,419 -36.9
F-Series 44,829 56,488 -20.6 319,542 411,926 -22.4
Ranger 4,677 5,662 -17.4 45,980 48,632 -5.5
Econoline/Club
Wagon 11,146 11,210 -0.6 85,721 106,045 -19.2
Freestar 0 0 NA 0 2,390 -100.0
Low Cab Forward 81 221 -63.3 635 1,848 -65.6
Heavy Trucks 459 932 -50.8 3,938 7,404 -46.8
--- --- ----- -----
Ford Trucks and
Vans 61,192 74,513 -17.9 455,816 578,245 -21.2
------ ------ ------- -------
Ford Brand 138,175 160,590 -14.0 1,117,746 1,285,606 -13.1
LINCOLN BRAND JULY 2008 U.S. SALES
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July % Year-To-Date %
---- ------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
MKS 2,279 0 NA 2,664 0 NA
MKZ 2,331 2,679 -13.0 20,978 19,732 6.3
Town Car 943 1,079 -12.6 9,982 24,114 -58.6
MKX 2,010 2,870 -30.0 19,573 19,724 -0.8
Navigator 768 1,543 -50.2 9,802 13,602 -27.9
Mark LT 488 758 -35.6 2,714 5,090 -46.7
--- --- ----- -----
Lincoln Brand 8,819 8,929 -1.2 65,713 82,262 -20.1
MERCURY BRAND JULY 2008 U.S. SALES
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July % Year-To-Date %
---- ------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Grand Marquis 2,569 2,035 26.2 19,310 33,298 -42.0
Sable 2,276 2,589 -12.1 11,702 12,827 -8.8
Milan 1,836 2,225 -17.5 22,262 22,071 0.9
Mariner 2,159 2,534 -14.8 20,713 22,212 -6.7
Mountaineer 572 1,469 -61.1 8,020 14,936 -46.3
Monterey 0 0 NA 0 700 -100.0
- - - ---
Mercury Brand 9,412 10,852 -13.3 82,007 106,044 -22.7
VOLVO BRAND JULY 2008 U.S. SALES
--------------------------------
July % Year-To-Date %
---- ------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
S40 431 1,538 -72.0 7,203 12,050 -40.2
V50 120 233 -48.5 1,151 1,750 -34.2
S60 409 2,134 -80.8 6,720 11,579 -42.0
S80 745 1,168 -36.2 7,657 7,330 4.5
V70 234 368 -36.4 2,336 2,082 12.2
XC70 668 966 -30.8 6,302 7,166 -12.1
XC90 1,546 2,693 -42.6 13,011 18,455 -29.5
C70 540 424 27.4 4,144 2,920 41.9
C30 431 25 NA 2,781 25 NA
--- -- ----- --
Volvo Brand 5,124 9,549 -46.3 51,305 63,357 -19.0