Ford's U.S. Sales Rose 6 Percent In August 2005
* Overall, Ford Motor Company's U.S. sales totaled 288,429, up 6 percent compared with a year ago. * Car sales up 22 percent as Ford Mustang, Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego continue to pace car revival. * Truck sales equal to a year ago as record F-Series and crossover utility sales are neutralized by lower sales of traditional sport utility models. * Land Rover dealers report record August sales as new LR3 and Range Rover Sport boost sales 78 percent * Ford announces fourth quarter North American production plans.
DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 1 -- Ford Motor Company reported higher vehicle sales in August, benefiting from its strengthened lineup of cars and crossover utilities and continued strong sales of its F-Series truck. It was the third month in a row the company posted higher sales.
Overall, U.S. consumers purchased 288,429 new vehicles from Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo dealers in August, up 6 percent compared with a year ago. Car sales surged 22 percent reflecting strong sales of the new Ford Mustang, Ford Five Hundred, and Mercury Montego as well as the Ford Focus. August truck sales were equal to a year ago as record sales of the F- Series truck (90,388) and higher sales of crossover utilities (up 52 percent) were neutralized by lower sales of traditional sport utility models.
On a year-to-date basis, Ford sales are up 1 percent with cars up 5 percent and trucks down 1 percent.
"In 2005, new products have helped us achieve significant inroads among car buyers and in the growing crossover utility market," said Steve Lyons, Ford group vice president North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "These segments likely will continue to attract buyers in an environment where gasoline prices are rising. We're optimistic we can achieve further gains with the introduction of three all-new mid-size cars -- the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln Zephyr -- and the Mercury Mariner hybrid utility vehicle."
All of these products are set to debut in October. In addition, the redesigned Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer will be introduced in October.
"There's no question that demand for traditional sport utility vehicles has been affected by rising gas prices as well as significant changes in buyer demographics and product offerings," said Lyons. "Still, the traditional utility segment is large and we have a strong reputation and share in this segment. The features and value incorporated in the new Explorer and Mountaineer will strengthen our position."
Overall, sales of traditional sport utility vehicles declined 33 percent in August. Land Rover was a notable exception as the all-new LR3 and Range Rover Sport models resulted in record sales and a 78 percent increase compared with a year ago.
Ford's F-Series truck continued its record setting pace. August sales for America's best-selling vehicle were 90,388 -- a record for the month. Year- to-date, F-Series' sales total 625,047, up 5 percent from a year ago.
North American Production
The company plans to build 830,000 vehicles (245,000 cars and 585,000 trucks) in its North American assembly plants in the fourth quarter 2005. In the fourth quarter 2004, the company produced 829,000 vehicles (225,000 cars and 604,000 trucks).
In the third quarter of 2005, the company plans to build 730,000 vehicles (210,000 cars and 520,000 trucks), unchanged from the previously announced plan.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY AUGUST 2005 U.S. SALES
August Month % August CYTD %
2005 2004 Change 2005 2004 Change
Sales By Brand
Ford 242,849 224,909 8.0 1,900,826 1,877,531 1.2
Mercury 17,668 16,265 8.6 147,820 134,127 10.2
Lincoln 9,918 11,219 -11.6 84,014 90,958 -7.6
Jaguar 2,634 3,848 -31.5 22,149 31,899 -30.6
Volvo 10,806 12,598 -14.2 88,246 93,817 -5.9
Land Rover 4,554 2,555 78.2 27,505 21,088 30.4
Total Ford
Motor Company 288,429 271,394 6.3 2,270,560 2,249,420 0.9
Memo: Cars and Trucks
Cars 90,126 73,748 22.2 756,039 719,479 5.1
Trucks 198,303 197,646 0.3 1,514,521 1,529,941 -1.0
Total Ford
Motor Company 288,429 271,394 6.3 2,270,560 2,249,420 0.9
FORD BRAND AUGUST 2005 U.S. SALES
August Month % August CYTD %
2005 2004 Change 2005 2004 Change
Crown Victoria 5,056 3,222 56.9 48,697 51,965 -6.3
Five Hundred 12,453 0 NA 75,146 0 NA
Taurus 15,774 20,015 -21.2 147,770 183,994 -19.7
Focus 20,476 14,689 39.4 143,360 151,287 -5.2
Mustang 10,921 6,539 67.0 117,509 88,135 33.3
Thunderbird 654 833 -21.5 8,139 8,992 -9.5
GT 113 0 NA 596 0 NA
Escort 0 0 NA 0 1,210 -100.0
Total Ford Cars 65,447 45,298 44.5 541,217 485,583 11.5
Freestyle 7,068 0 NA 52,502 0 NA
Escape 15,023 15,037 -0.1 120,182 128,154 -6.2
Explorer 17,151 30,603 -44.0 183,999 229,582 -19.9
Expedition 8,488 14,193 -40.2 85,872 106,868 -19.6
Excursion 1,858 1,169 58.9 11,843 12,914 -8.3
Freestar 7,473 6,647 12.4 60,112 72,642 -17.2
Windstar 0 0 NA 0 2,950 -100.0
Econoline/Club Wagon 14,514 13,518 7.4 120,939 118,770 1.8
Ranger 14,129 12,510 12.9 89,802 113,673 -21.0
F-Series 90,388 84,996 6.3 625,047 598,218 4.5
Low Cab Forward 116 0 NA 160 0 NA
Heavy Trucks 1,194 938 27.3 9,151 8,177 11.9
Total Ford Trucks 177,402 179,611 -1.2 1,359,609 1,391,948 -2.3
Total Ford Brand 242,849 224,909 8.0 1,900,826 1,877,531 1.2
LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND AUGUST 2005 U.S. SALES
August Month % August CYTD %
2005 2004 Change 2005 2004 Change
Grand Marquis 5,484 6,875 -20.2 52,484 58,118 -9.7
Montego 2,635 0 NA 18,438 0 NA
Sable 1,780 3,088 -42.4 19,961 31,796 -37.2
Total Mercury Cars 9,899 9,963 -0.6 90,883 89,914 1.1
Town Car 4,254 4,239 0.4 32,373 34,055 -4.9
LS 1,278 2,540 -49.7 15,475 19,762 -21.7
Total Lincoln Cars 5,532 6,779 -18.4 47,848 53,817 -11.1
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Cars 15,431 16,742 -7.8 138,731 143,731 -3.5
Mariner 3,739 0 NA 25,953 0 NA
Mountaineer 2,676 4,335 -38.3 24,840 31,552 -21.3
Monterey 1,354 1,967 -31.2 6,144 12,661 -51.5
Total Mercury Trucks 7,769 6,302 23.3 56,937 44,213 28.8
Navigator 2,061 2,725 -24.4 18,724 22,308 -16.1
Aviator 1,324 1,715 -22.8 12,378 14,833 -16.6
Mark LT 1,001 0 NA 5,064 0 NA
Total Lincoln Trucks 4,386 4,440 -1.2 36,166 37,141 -2.6
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Trucks 12,155 10,742 13.2 93,103 81,354 14.4
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Vehicles 27,586 27,484 0.4 231,834 225,085 3.0
Total Lincoln Brand 9,918 11,219 -11.6 84,014 90,958 -7.6
Total Mercury Brand 17,668 16,265 8.6 147,820 134,127 10.2
JAGUAR BRAND AUGUST 2005 U.S. SALES
August Month % August CYTD %
2005 2004 Change 2005 2004 Change
XJ 792 672 17.9 5,606 6,683 -16.1
S-TYPE 764 807 -5.3 6,344 8,268 -23.3
X-TYPE 888 2,128 -58.3 8,401 14,987 -43.9
XK 190 241 -21.2 1,798 1,961 -8.3
Total Jaguar 2,634 3,848 -31.5 22,149 31,899 -30.6
VOLVO BRAND AUGUST 2005 U.S. SALES
August Month % August CYTD %
2005 2004 Change 2005 2004 Change
S40 2,287 2,353 -2.8 17,240 14,963 15.2
V50 513 226 NA 3,936 594 NA
V40 1 75 -98.7 7 1,446 -99.5
S60 2,162 2,574 -16.0 18,285 21,023 -13.0
V70 627 993 -36.9 5,424 7,662 -29.2
XC70 1,424 2,188 -34.9 10,092 11,424 -11.7
C70 34 278 -87.8 1,402 2,932 -52.2
S80 990 1,361 -27.3 7,648 9,646 -20.7
XC90 2,768 2,550 8.5 24,212 24,127 0.4
Total Volvo 10,806 12,598 -14.2 88,246 93,817 -5.9
LAND ROVER BRAND AUGUST 2005 U.S. SALES
August Month % August CYTD %
2005 2004 Change 2005 2004 Change
Range Rover 1,212 1,086 11.6 8,385 7,800 7.5
Range Rover Sport 1,700 0 NA 3,550 0 NA
LR3 1,508 0 NA 13,080 0 NA
Discovery 8 1,124 -99.3 803 9,219 -91.3
Freelander 126 345 -63.5 1,687 4,069 -58.5
Total Land Rover 4,554 2,555 78.2 27,505 21,088 30.4