Ford Motor Company Expands Sales Leadership in
California
LOS ANGELES, March 1 Ford Motor Company extended its
California sales leadership for the fifth consecutive year, led by Ford
Division, the state's best-selling brand of cars and trucks for the 18th year
in a row.
In 2000, Californians registered 2,145,544 new cars and trucks, setting an
all-time calendar year record for the automotive industry in the Golden State,
according to registration numbers released by The Polk Company. The new
figures represent a 15 percent increase over California's 1999 record-setting
registrations.
For the fifth straight year, Ford Motor Company (including its Ford,
Lincoln, Mercury, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo brands) earned
the annual sales crown in California with 488,665 new car and truck
registrations -- 74,466 more than second place General Motors (414,199,
including SAAB and Hummer) and 156,305 more than third place Toyota (332,360,
including Lexus).
Strong sales gains over 1999 were realized by all of Ford Motor Company's
brands: Aston Martin rose from 11 to 65 for the year; Jaguar rose from 6,436
to 8,986; Land Rover rose from 4,555 to 5,175; and Volvo rose from 14,927 to
18,618.
Ford Motor Company's share of the 2000 new vehicle market was 22.8
percent, in comparison to General Motors at 19.3 percent and Toyota at 15.5
percent.
More traditional comparisons among Ford Motor Company, General Motors and
Toyota (excluding their respective subsidiaries) still have Ford Motor Company
(Ford, Lincoln and Mercury) leading with 455,821 combined car and truck
registrations -- 46,515 more than second place General Motors (409,306) and
165,122 more than third place Toyota (290,699).
Under this scenario, Ford Motor Company's adjusted share of the 2000 new
vehicle market would be 20.8 percent, in comparison to General Motors at 19.1
percent and Toyota at 13.5 percent.
Ford Division
In capturing their 18th consecutive California sales crown, Ford Division
dealers delivered 402,736 Ford cars and trucks in California January through
December 2000 -- 39 percent more than second-place Toyota (290,699) and 77
percent more than third-place Chevrolet (227,403).
"Maintaining sales leadership for Ford Division is the highest compliment
our customers can provide us," said Drew Atkinson, Ford Division California
regional manager. "We are off to a strong start for 2001, and the
introductions of the much-anticipated 2002 Explorer and 2002 Thunderbird will
further strengthen our leadership in California."
Ford F-Series expands its lead for the second year as the best-selling
vehicle in California, with registrations of 89,682, up 13 percent over the
same period last year and outselling its nearest truck competitor, Chevrolet
C/K, by 31,153 units and its nearest vehicle competitor, Toyota Camry, by
13,337 units. Ford Ranger also continues as the best-selling compact pickup
in the state with registrations of 35,951. In the total new vehicle industry,
California's truck share of total vehicle purchases is now 47 percent, the
highest share ever.
Ford's efforts in California have been helped by the introduction of the
all-new 2000 Focus (33,404 units) and Escape (3,578 units since its September
1999 introduction). Taurus also continues to be a favorite with 41,427 units,
up 16 percent, while the ever-popular Mustang contributed 33,315 units,
leading its segment by a wide margin.
Five of the state's best-selling vehicles are Ford Division products: F-
Series trucks, Explorer, Taurus, Expedition and Ranger. Taurus, Mustang and
Focus are among the 10 best-selling cars in the state. F-Series, Explorer,
Expedition and Ranger are among the 10 best-selling Trucks.
Lincoln Mercury
In 2000 there were 53,085 new Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks
registered in California, an increase of 5.4 percent during the same period
last year.
The luxury vehicle market in California is very strong," said Mike
Richards, Lincoln Mercury regional manager. "The Lincoln Navigator, Town Car,
Continental, and the LS provide us a very competitive presence in the growing
luxury segment. The all-new 2000 Lincoln LS achieved a strong increase in its
first full year on sale with 5,235 registrations."
Navigator registrations continue to be strong in California, with 6,245
vehicles representing a 23.5 percent increase over 1999 figures. Town Car,
Lincoln's flagship vehicle, also experienced a significant increase of 14
percent with 7,823 registered vehicles.
Mercury also achieved gains, particularly in two vehicle nameplates.
Mercury Mountaineer registrations were up 20 percent for the year with 4,421
units, while Grand Marquis achieved large car segment leadership in the state
with 10,176 registrations.
"We had some great sales improvements in 2000 and have a positive outlook
for 2001 because we will introduce two new and highly anticipated vehicles:
The 2002 Lincoln Blackwood luxury truck and the all-new 2002 Mercury
Mountaineer," said Richards.
California Volume Leaders
Full Year 2000 Registrations
Top Three Automotive Companies Top 10 Trucks
FORD MOTOR CO. 488,665 FORD F-SERIES 89,682
General Motors 409,306 Chevrolet C/K 58,529
Toyota 332,360 FORD EXPLORER 48,110
FORD EXPEDITION 38,883
FORD RANGER 35,951
Toyota Tacoma 35,713
Dodge D150/350 31,333
Jeep Grand Cherokee 28,126
Toyota 4Runner 26,372
Dodge Caravan 25,298
Top Three Automotive Divisions -
Car and Truck
FORD DIVISION 402,736
Toyota 290,699
Chevrolet 227,403
Top 10 Cars Top 10 Vehicles
Toyota Camry 76,285 FORD F-SERIES 89,682
Honda Accord 74,946 Toyota Camry 76,285
Honda Civic 74,365 Honda Accord 74,946
Toyota Corolla 48,056 Honda Civic 74,365
FORD TAURUS 41,427 Chevrolet C/K 58,529
FORD FOCUS 33,404 FORD EXPLORER 48,110
FORD MUSTANG 33,315 Toyota Corolla 48,056
VW Jetta 26,802 FORD TAURUS 41,427
Toyota Avalon 18,546 FORD EXPEDITION 38,883
Nissan Altima 16,996 FORD RANGER 35,951
Source: The Polk Company
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
TOTAL CALENDAR YEAR VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994
FORD MOTOR CO.
CAR 230,196 193,499 181,207 175,369 185,250 184,774
TRUCK 158,636 146,598 141,644 143,442 158,272 173,660
TOTAL
"OLD FORD" 388,832 340,097 322,851 318,811 343,522 358,434
JAGUAR
(acquired 2/90) N/A N/A N/A 2,034 2,509
ASTON MARTIN
(acquired 7/94) 6
VOLVO
(acquired 3/99)
LAND ROVER
(acquired 7/00)
TOTAL "NEW FORD" 345,556 360,949
GENERAL MOTORS
CAR 246,391 211,057 242,846 221,375 217,514 220,077
TRUCK 146,324 131,410 116,409 114,443 125,437 134,208
TOTAL
"OLD GM" 392,715 342,467 359,255 335,818 342,951 354,285
SAAB
(acquired 1/00)
HUMMER
(dist. rights 1999)
TOTAL "NEW GM"
"OLD" FORD
+/- GM -3,883 -2,370 -36,404 -17,007 571 4,149
"NEW" FORD +/- GM
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
FORD MOTOR CO.
CAR 183,990 166,679 156,451 143,415 148,953 176,842
TRUCK 180,259 190,717 213,704 234,627 254,978 278,979
TOTAL
"OLD FORD" 364,249 357,396 370,155 378,042 403,931 455,821
JAGUAR
(acquired 2/90) 3,084 3,197 3,737 4,194 6,436 8,986
ASTON MARTIN
(acquired 7/94) 0 12 40 23 11 65
VOLVO
(acquired 3/99) 14,927 18,618
LAND ROVER
(acquired 7/00) 4,555 5,175
TOTAL "NEW FORD" 367,333 360,605 373,932 382,259 425,305 488,665
GENERAL MOTORS
CAR 212,956 200,666 206,844 191,546 182,416 187,364
TRUCK 154,106 154,795 160,788 161,892 194,199 221,942
TOTAL
"OLD GM" 367,062 355,461 367,632 353,438* 376,615 409,306
SAAB
(acquired 1/00) 4,743
HUMMER
(dist. rights 1999) 102 150
TOTAL "NEW GM" 376,717 414,199
"OLD" FORD
+/- GM -2,813 1,935 2,523 24,604 27,316 46,515
"NEW" FORD +/- GM 48,588 74,466
Acquisition dates represent attainment of 100% ownership.
Source: Polk Co.
* GM strike
