Ford Sales Decline 6 Percent in 2001

DETROIT AP reported:Capping off a troubled year that included the Firestone tire controversy, the departure of CEO Jacques Nasser and declining earnings, Ford Motor Co. [NYSE:F - news] reported Thursday its sales dropped 6 percent in 2001 from a year earlier.

Sales during December for the nation's second biggest automaker were only three-tenths of a percent better than in December 2000, hurt by a 25 percent drop in passenger car sales.

But its F-series pickup trucks remained the best-selling vehicle in the United States for the 20th straight year, Ford said.

BMW of North America LLC reported an 11 percent decline in vehicle sales last month compared with December 2000. For the year, the German automaker posted a 12.5 percent increase, making 2001 its best sales year to date in the United States.

Strong sales of its new A4 model powered Audi of America to its best-ever U.S. sales during 2001. For the year, sales of Audi vehicles were up 3.6 percent over 2000, despite a 3 percent decline during December.

Volkswagen of America Inc. reported a half-percent increase in sales over 2000, and a 9.3 percent increase in December compared with a year earlier.

Volvo Cars of North America recorded its best year in the United States, selling 125,710 vehicles, 2,532 vehicles or 2 percent more than it sold during 2000.

Reflecting the resurgence of South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor America, the company reported record December sales, up 39 percent from a year earlier. For the year, Hyundai's sales rose 42 percent over 2000.