PRESS RELEASE
Ford Announces Strong Sales in California
10 February 1997
Californians Make Ford the Sales Leader
ANAHEIM, Calif., Feb. 10 -- With its trend-setting cars and
trucks, Ford Motor Company roared to the top sales spot in the
crucial California market for the 1996 calendar year. Based upon R. L. Polk
registrations for 1996, Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers combined to sell
357,396 cars and trucks -- nearly 1,000 PER DAY to customers in California.
Signaling continued economic recovery in the state, the California auto
industry rose to 1,545,611 cars and trucks in 1996, up 2.6 percent over 1995
and the most sold since 1989. In this environment, Ford scored an impressive
three of the top ten in car sales and four of the top ten in truck sales for
the year. And, when these are combined, Ford also took four places among the
ten best selling vehicles overall, with the all new F-Series pickup, the
redesigned Explorer sport utility vehicle (SUV), the trend-leading Taurus, and
the segment-leading Ranger compact pickup.
"A major development in our industry in recent years has been the switch
from cars to trucks and SUVs," explained John Mendel, Ford Division Los
Angeles regional manager. "Consumers want the carrying and towing capacity
provided by F-Series and Ranger, and the comfort and durability of the Ford
Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer. These stylish trucks and SUVs are now
virtual icons in Los Angeles, and we're proud of the fact that so many people
trade in their expensive imports for our trucks. With our new Ford Expedition
and Lincoln Navigator at the top of the SUV market, we're continuing to
respond to evolving consumer tastes."
Ford overshadowed its Japanese competition in the track market outselling
Japanese manufacturers by 51,102 trucks. "Our competitors sometimes present
the argument that they lead Ford in retail sales," stated Mendel, "but our
truck sales surpass our competitors in both retail and fleet. Very simply,
Ford is the number one choice among both business and private truck buyers in
California. We offer the combination of style, comfort and utility which
pleases all kinds of buyers."
Ford and Lincoln-Mercury Divisions scored solid successes in the car
market as well, led by the all-new Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable, the choice
of more than 40,000 Californians. Escort was also in the top ten again, along
with that perennial California favorite, the Mustang.
"California is one of Ford's most important markets in the world," said
Mendel. "To put it in perspective, Ford sells some 18,000 vehicles a day in
the world -- and nearly 1,000 of those are sold in California. Plus, the
state is a trend setter ... what starts here often sweeps the nation. For
example, we offer the broadest array of alternative fuel cars and trucks in
the state. We are introducing a broad array of new California-focused
products this year, including the new Lincoln Navigator, the new Escort ZX2
sport coupe, the redesigned Ford Windstar minivan, Ford Contour and Mercury
Mystique sedans, and the new SVT Contour performance sedan. As this
underscores, our success is built upon asking Californians what they want, and
providing it."
TOP TEN SELLING VEHICLES IN CALIFORNIA
Calendar Year 1996
1. Honda Accord 58,687
2. Toyota Camry 57,054
3. Honda Civic 54,256
4. FORD F-SERIES 50,112
5. FORD EXPLORER 42,984
6. Toyota Corolla 35,032
7. FORD TAURUS 34,402
8. Chevrolet C/K 34,178
9. Dodge D150/350 31,010
10. FORD RANGER 30,440
TOP TEN SELLING CARS IN CALIFORNIA
Calendar Year 1996
1. Honda Accord 58,687
2. Toyota Camry 57,054
3. Honda Civic 54,256
4. Toyota Corolla 35,032
5. FORD TAURUS 34,402
6. FORD ESCORT 26,406
7. Saturn 25,242
8. FORD MUSTANG 18,476
9. Chevrolet Cavalier 18,177
10. Chevrolet Lumina 17,175
TOP TEN SELLING TRUCKS IN CALIFORNIA
Calendar Year 1996
1. FORD F-SERIES 50,112
2. FORD EXPLORER 42,984
3. Chevrolet C/K 34,178
4. Dodge D150/350 31,010
5. FORD RANGER 30,440
6. Toyota Pickup 29,840
7. Jeep Grand Cherokee 28,180
8. Dodge Caravan 27,430
9. Toyota 4-Runner 20,090
10. FORD WINDSTAR 18,853
1996 CALIFORNIA SALES LEADERS
TOP TEN MANUFACTURERS
COMBINED CAR AND TRUCK SALES
(Includes all Divisions)
Ford Motor Co 357,396*
General Motors 355,461
Toyota 208,375
Chrysler 193,037
Honda 144,331
Nissan 98,474
Mazda 26,858
Volkswagen 22,670
BMW 22,375
Mercedes-Benz 20,946
*Excludes Jaguar, a wholly-owned subsidiary
Source: R.L. Polk Registrations
SOURCE Ford Motor Company
CONTACT: John Clinard, 714-939-3699, or William T. George, Jr., 714-939-3695,
both for Ford Motor Company