Customers Lift Ford's U.S. Sales to Third Quarter Record, Despite September Decline of 2%
3 October 1997
Customers Lift Ford's U.S. Sales to Third Quarter Record, Despite September Decline of 2%
DETROIT, Oct. 3 -- Customers purchased or leased 312,570 cars
and trucks from Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers in September, a
decline of two percent from a year ago. Ford reported third quarter car and
truck sales of 969,770 -- eclipsing the record for the quarter set in 1989.
September truck sales of 180,216 were eight percent higher than a year ago
and set a record for the month; car sales of 132,354 were 12 percent lower.
"As expected, September car sales were lower than a year ago, largely
reflecting fewer deliveries to daily rental companies, as well as limited
availability resulting from later-than-normal production launch dates for
several 1998 models," said Bob Rewey, Ford's group vice president of
marketing, sales, and service.
Rewey is encouraged by the trend in both car and truck sales, noting the
continuing strength of trucks and a recent improvement in car sales to
individual customers.
"In June, July, and August, dealers reported that retail car sales were
about equal to last year's levels, in contrast to declines earlier in the
year. In September, retail car sales were 11 percent higher than a year ago,"
Rewey said. "The steps we have taken to simplify and improve the value of our
car brands should enable us to build on our recent sales success."
On August 1, 1997, Ford announced a simplified product and pricing
approach for its 1998 model cars. There will be two versions of the company's
most popular cars, with two basic option groups aimed at providing value-
priced, well-equipped models in the heart of each segment.
Ford truck sales have been up 13 months in a row. In September, Ford's
pickups -- the full-size F-Series and the compact Ranger -- closed out the
1997 model year with impressive sales results. Customers helped Ford
celebrate F-Series 50th anniversary with model year sales of 751,492, making
it America's best-selling vehicle (car or truck) for 16 model years in a row.
Ranger had model year sales of 292,987. Redesigned for 1998, Ranger has been
America's best-selling compact pickup for 11 model years in a row and is an
important contributor to Ford's efforts to improve fuel economy and reduce
emissions.
Looking ahead, Rewey is optimistic about the prospects for continued solid
industry and Ford sales. "The U.S. economy and the auto industry appear to
have 'long legs.' With the strongest product line in our history, and more
new products coming, we hope to take full advantage of this opportunity. In
the just-concluded 1997 model year, 12 vehicles in the United States topped
the 275,000 sales mark. Ford had five of those vehicles -- F-Series,
Explorer, Taurus, Ranger and Escort -- no other manufacturer had more than
two," he said.
Buoyed by the recent strengthening in retail car sales and continued
strong truck sales, as well as a favorable economic outlook, Ford announced
plans to increase fourth quarter production by 25,000 units -- 20,000 cars and
5,000 trucks.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY SEPTEMBER SALES
September Month DSR % September CYTD DSR %
1997 1996 Change 1997 1996 Change
TOTAL VEHICLES * 312,570 304,989 -1.6% 2,943,046 2,954,352 0.1%
TOTAL CARS * 132,354 144,708 -12.2 1,245,763 1,352,264 -7.5
TOTAL TRUCKS 180,216 160,281 7.9 1,697,283 1,602,088 6.4
memo:
Domestic Cars 129,845 143,130 -12.9% 1,216,478 1,320,542 -7.5%
Imported Cars * 2,509 1,578 52.6 29,285 31,722 -7.3
Light Trucks 177,025 156,888 8.3 1,664,633 1,566,601 6.7
Heavy Trucks 3,191 3,393 -9.7 32,650 35,487 -7.6
Note: Percentage changes are based on daily selling rates.
Selling Days 25 24 230 231
* These figures exclude sales of Jaguar Cars, a wholly-owned Ford
subsidiary, which reports its results separately.
CONTACT: George Pipas, 313-446-9195
FORD DIVISION SEPTEMBER SALES
September Month DSR % September CYTD DSR %
1997 1996 Change 1997 1996 Change
Crown Victoria 9,446 6,591 37.6% 86,571 85,249 2.0%
Thunderbird 5,736 6,199 -11.2 58,407 63,309 -7.3
Taurus 30,167 45,204 -35.9 261,863 295,416 -11.0
Contour 8,750 11,234 -25.2 119,918 141,058 -14.6
Escort 24,584 20,329 16.1 224,637 228,683 -1.3
Aspire 2,509 1,578 52.6 29,285 31,722 -7.3
Mustang 9,736 8,142 14.8 89,688 100,051 -10.0
Probe 1,191 2,110 -45.8 14,457
F-Series 58,778 56,470 -0.1 562,056 591,402 -4.5
TOTAL FORD
LT. TRUCKS 164,724 149,154 6.0% 1,570,872 1,500,783 5.1%
Heavy Trucks 3,191 3,393 -9.7 32,650 35,487 -7.6
TOTAL FORD DIV.
TRUCKS 167,915 152,547 5.7% 1,603,522 1,536,270 4.8%
FORD DIVISION
TOTAL VEHICLES 260,034 253,934 -1.7% 2,488,348 2,507,798 -0.3%
Note: Percentage changes are based on daily selling rates.
Selling Days 25 24 230 231
CONTACT: Brenda Hines, Ford Division, 313-446-7736
LINCOLN-MERCURY DIVISION SEPTEMBER SALES
September Month DSR % September CYTD DSR %
1997 1996 Change 1997 1996 Change
Grand Marquis 10,003 9,313 3.1% 81,689 75,279 9.0%
Cougar 2,818 2,654 1.9 25,118 28,394 -11.2
Sable 7,816 11,182 -32.9 86,144 90,335 -4.2
Mystique 2,672 3,054 -16.0 30,966 44,232 -29.7
Tracer 3,341 3,067 4.6 36,013 38,221 -5.4
TOTAL MERCURY
CARS 26,650 29,270 -12.6% 259,930 276,461 -5.6%
Town Car 9,109 9,071 -3.6 67,269 70,277 -3.9
Mark VIII 1,499 1,326 8.5 11,705 11,623 1.1
Continental 2,977 3,654 -21.8 22,033 22,375 -1.1
TOTAL LINCOLN
CARS 13,585 14,051 -7.2% 101,007 104,275 -2.7%
L-M TOTAL CARS 40,235 43,321 -10.8% 360,937 380,736
Note: Percentage changes are based on daily selling rates.
@ Mercury Mountaineer's public introduction date was May 23, 1996.
Selling Days 25 24 230 231
CONTACT: Anne Doyle, Lincoln-Mercury Division, 313-446-4368
SOURCE Ford Motor Company
