Ford October Sales Report
* F-Series sales were 68,828 - up 12 percent compared with a year ago. * New 2004 F-150 gains strength with sales up 65 percent over September. * Ford Escape remains top-selling small SUV with sales up 26 percent. * Volvo sets October record with 29 percent increase. * Ford's overall October sales decline 2 percent with truck sales up 2 percent and cars down 9 percent.
DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 3 -- U.S. customers purchased or leased 282,468 cars and trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, Volvo, and Land Rover dealers in October, down 2 percent compared with a year ago. Sales of trucks (pickups, sport utility vehicles, and vans) were 187,402 (up 2 percent), while sales of passenger cars were 95,066 (down 9 percent).
Year-to-date, the company's sales were 2.9 million, down 4 percent compared with the same period a year ago. Sales of trucks were 1.9 million, up 1 percent, while car sales were 1.0 million, down 12 percent.
"The economy is sprinting and consumer fundamentals remain favorable," said Jim O' Connor, Ford group vice president, North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "We believe auto sales will finish strong in 2003 and we look for another good year in 2004."
October sales for Ford's F-Series truck were 68,828, up 12 percent from a year ago. Sales for the all-new 2004 F-150 model were 65 percent higher than September, the truck's introductory month. Among retail buyers, sales of 2004 models accounted for 53 percent of total F-Series sales, the highest for any Ford product, except the Ford Escape.
"We are extremely pleased with all aspects of the launch of the new F- 150," said O'Connor. "The production launch was the best we've seen in several years. The F-150 continues to receive accolades from the automotive press, and the number of intenders among full-size pickup buyers is strong and growing. We're delighted by the positive sales trend, which was achieved in a very competitive market."
Sales for the Ford Escape were 16,266 (up 26 percent), bringing year-to- date sales to 139,856. Escape is the best-selling small sport utility vehicle in the United States with almost 500,000 units sold since it was introduced in late 2000. The 2005 model Escape, which will include a new hybrid electric version, debuts at the Miami Auto Show on Friday, Nov. 7.
"We see continued strong demand for small sport utility vehicles," noted O'Connor. "We established a strong presence in the small SUV market three years ago and we plan to increase our presence with the 2005 model Escape and Mercury Mariner."
Volvo dealers delivered 10,854 units to U.S. customers in October -- a new record for the month. Volvo sales were 29 percent higher than a year ago, the twelfth month in a row of higher sales, a streak that started with the introduction of the award-winning XC90 sport utility vehicle.
Jaguar and Land Rover sales were narrowly lower than a year ago when each of the brands posted October sales records. Sales for the all-new Jaguar XJ sedan (up 62 percent) and Land Rover Range Rover (up 39 percent) paced the near-record results.
Lincoln sales were 4 percent higher than a year ago thanks to its new mid- size sport utility vehicle, the Lincoln Aviator.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY OCTOBER 2003 U.S. SALES
October Month % October CYTD %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
Sales By Brand
Ford 235,265 239,142 -1.6 2,443,245 2,527,611 -3.3
Mercury 16,727 20,786 -19.5 169,933 226,627 -25.0
Lincoln 12,326 11,900 3.6 132,062 126,212 4.6
Jaguar 4,088 4,278 -4.4 46,180 52,284 -11.7
Volvo 10,854 8,398 29.2 112,224 91,446 22.7
Land Rover 3,208 3,471 -7.6 32,333 33,531 -3.6
Total Ford
Motor Company 282,468 287,975 -1.9 2,935,977 3,057,711 -4.0
Memo: Cars and Trucks
Cars 95,066 104,621 -9.1 1,009,057 1,140,965 -11.6
Trucks 187,402 183,354 2.2 1,926,920 1,916,746 0.5
Total Ford
Motor Company 282,468 287,975 -1.9 2,935,977 3,057,711 -4.0
FORD BRAND OCTOBER 2003 U.S. SALES
October Month % October CYTD %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
Crown Victoria 5,936 5,810 2.2 66,213 69,356 -4.5
Taurus 26,849 28,264 -5.0 268,621 275,279 -2.4
Focus 19,275 21,841 -11.7 196,188 211,126 -7.1
Thunderbird 1,470 1,139 29.1 16,166 16,652 -2.9
Mustang 9,755 10,442 -6.6 116,645 122,279 -4.6
Escort 2,752 2,652 3.8 22,203 47,772 -53.5
Total Ford Cars 66,037 70,148 -5.9 686,036 742,464 -7.6
Escape 16,266 12,931 25.8 139,856 118,697 17.8
Explorer 30,124 35,683 -15.6 312,940 363,719 -14.0
Expedition 12,077 14,780 -18.3 151,593 127,638 18.8
Excursion 2,563 2,054 24.8 20,450 24,958 -18.1
Econoline/Club Wagon 12,874 13,293 -3.2 136,087 139,295 -2.3
Windstar 7,101 12,415 -42.8 105,298 126,170 -16.5
Freestar 3,831 0 NA 3,831 0 NA
Ranger 14,726 15,491 -4.9 184,923 196,780 -6.0
F-Series 68,828 61,686 11.6 696,192 681,883 2.1
Heavy Trucks 838 661 26.8 6,039 6,007 0.5
Total Ford Trucks 169,228 168,994 0.1 1,757,209 1,785,147 -1.6
Total Ford Brand 235,265 239,142 -1.6 2,443,245 2,527,611 -3.3
LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND OCTOBER 2003 U.S. SALES
October Month % October CYTD %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
Grand Marquis 7,295 7,650 -4.6 74,001 67,525 9.6
Sable 4,786 5,333 -10.3 53,318 89,035 -40.1
Cougar 0 1,875 -100.0 2,024 16,681 -87.9
Total Mercury Cars 12,081 14,858 -18.7 129,343 173,241 -25.3
Town Car 4,422 4,698 -5.9 48,818 51,272 -4.8
LS 2,275 2,932 -22.4 28,759 33,257 -13.5
Continental 0 923 -100.0 280 14,298 -98.0
Total Lincoln Cars 6,697 8,553 -21.7 77,857 98,827 -21.2
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Cars 18,778 23,411 -19.8 207,200 272,068 -23.8
Mountaineer 3,888 4,692 -17.1 39,832 39,130 1.8
Monterey 758 0 NA 758 0 NA
Villager 0 1,236 -100.0 0 14,256 -100.0
Total Mercury Trucks 4,646 5,928 -21.6 40,590 53,386 -24.0
Navigator 2,999 3,077 -2.5 30,064 24,923 20.6
Aviator 2,630 0 NA 23,988 0 NA
Blackwood 0 270 -100.0 153 2,462 -93.8
Total Lincoln Trucks 5,629 3,347 68.2 54,205 27,385 97.9
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Trucks 10,275 9,275 10.8 94,795 80,771 17.4
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Vehicles 29,053 32,686 -11.1 301,995 352,839 -14.4
Total Lincoln Brand 12,326 11,900 3.6 132,062 126,212 4.6
Total Mercury Brand 16,727 20,786 -19.5 169,933 226,627 -25.0
JAGUAR BRAND OCTOBER 2003 U.S. SALES
October Month % October CYTD %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
XJ 1,015 628 61.6 8,175 7,149 14.4
S-TYPE 1,227 1,470 -16.5 12,776 13,268 -3.7
X-TYPE 1,614 1,876 -14.0 22,826 28,572 -20.1
XK 232 304 -23.7 2,403 3,295 -27.1
Total Jaguar 4,088 4,278 -4.4 46,180 52,284 -11.7
VOLVO BRAND OCTOBER 2003 U.S. SALES
October Month % October CYTD %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
S40 817 1,183 -30.9 11,150 13,273 -16.0
V40 156 207 -24.6 2,548 2,330 9.4
S60 2,676 2,566 4.3 30,293 33,185 -8.7
S70 0 1 NA 0 1 NA
V70 814 1,218 -33.2 9,742 9,111 6.9
V70 XC 1,581 1,324 19.4 14,455 17,007 -15.0
C70 338 234 44.4 3,769 3,221 17.0
XC90 3,110 290 NA 28,128 290 NA
S80 1,362 1,375 -0.9 12,139 13,028 -6.8
Total Volvo 10,854 8,398 29.2 112,224 91,446 22.7
LAND ROVER BRAND OCTOBER 2003 U.S. SALES
October Month % October CYTD %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
Range Rover 1,116 806 38.5 9,242 6,563 40.8
Discovery 1,442 1,417 1.8 14,830 14,289 3.8
Freelander 650 1,248 -47.9 8,261 12,679 -34.8
Total Land Rover 3,208 3,471 -7.6 32,333 33,531 -3.6
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