Press Release
Ford Announces October Sales
11/07/96
Ford Sets October Sales Records, Led by Sport Utility Vehicles, Taurus and F-Series
DETROIT, Nov. 5 -- Ford Motor Company's U.S.
vehicle sales in October rose 2.5 percent, as a number of volume
records were established. Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers reported
record total truck sales of 194,690 units in October, a 7.7 percent
increase from a year ago on a daily selling rate basis. This more
than offset a 3.9 percent decline in the total car sales rate for the
month. (There were 27 selling days this year, one more than in
October of 1995).
Ford Division's total of 185,707 trucks and Lincoln-Mercury Division's
total of 8,983 both were new highs for October. The new Mercury
Mountaineer had its best month since being introduced earlier this
year with sales of 3,806 units. It combined with the Ford Explorer,
which set an October record of 38,134 units, and the all-new Ford
Expedition for a total of 55,924 sport utility vehicles (including a
small number of carryover 1996 Broncos) -- a 34 percent increase and
an all-time Ford Motor Company record for any month.
"As the sport utility market continues to grow dramatically, we're
very pleased with the incrementality that our expanded SUV line-up
clearly is producing for our dealers and the company," noted Bob
Rewey, group vice president of marketing and sales for Ford. "Mercury
Mountaineer is enabling Lincoln-Mercury dealers to participate in this
important market sector for the first time, and the new Expedition not
only is attracting owners of competitive products, but also is
generating showroom traffic that provides a boost to Explorer sales as
well."
The immediate success of Expedition, which was officially introduced
on October 2, is reminiscent of Explorer's debut in 1990. In both
cases, the new Ford entry became the benchmark for its market segment
from a product standpoint, and public recognition was virtually
instantaneous.
Rewey added, "From every indication, Expedition is the right product
in the right market at the right time. The only question appears to
be 'how high is up?' and we won't know the answer until our dealers
have greater availability."
Among other October sales highlights:
-- The Ford Taurus achieved record sales of 36,644 for the month
and widened its leadership margin in the calendar sales race with
just two "laps" to go. Combined sales of Taurus and Mercury
Sable for the calendar year-to-date now have reached 431,099 or
an increase of eight percent, despite a planned reduction in daily
rental volume.
-- The Ford Windstar minivan also set an October record with sales
of 17,692 units.
-- With sales of 72,061 units, an 8.5 percent increase, the Ford
F-Series had its best October since 1977 and extended its lead as
America's best selling vehicle, car or truck.
-- Ford Ranger continued to dominate the compact pickup truck
segment with sales for the month of 22,443 units.
-- Sales of the Ford Crown Victoria soared 37 percent to 8,750 cars,
the best October since 1990 and the fourth consecutive monthly
increase.
-- Lincoln-Mercury Division's total retail sales rose for the sixth
month in succession.
-- Each of Lincoln-Mercury's realigned luxury cars exhibited a
double digit improvement in its retail selling rate year-over-year.
Total Lincoln sales and leases to private individuals in October
jumped by 18 percent from their 1995 level, more than offsetting
a planned reduction in Lincoln deliveries to daily rental accounts.
-- Mercury Grand Marquis sales climbed 13 percent over last
October to 10,100 units.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY OCTOBER SALES
Memo:
1996 1995 % Change Selling Days
1996 1995
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Vehicles
Oct. 1-31 337,881 317,582 2.5% 27 26
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 3,292,233 3,281,751 -0.5 258 256
Total Cars
Oct. 1-31 143,191 143,435 -3.9
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 1,495,455 1,534,171 -3.3
Domestic Cars
Oct. 1-31 140,806 139,609 -2.9
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 1,461,348 1,480,280 -2.0
Imported Cars
Oct. 1-31 2,385 3,826 -40.0
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 34,107 53,891 -37.2
Total Trucks
Oct. 1-31 194,690 174,147 7.7
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 1,796,778 1,747,580 2.0
Light Trucks
Oct. 1-31 191,399 170,234 8.3
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 1,758,000 1,698,984 2.7
Heavy Trucks
Oct. 1-31 3,291 3,913 -19.0
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 38,778 48,596 -20.8
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FORD DIVISION OCTOBER SALES
Memo:
1996 1995 %Change Selling Days
1996 1995
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crown Victoria
Oct. 1-31 8,750 6,152 37.0% 27 26
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 93,999 83,353 11.9 258 256
Thunderbird
Oct. 1-31 6,573 8,220 -23.0
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 69,882 92,741 -25.2
Taurus
Oct. 1-31 36,644 27,871 26.6
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 332,060 311,409 5.8
Tempo
Oct. 1-31 0 0
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 0 1,780
Contour
Oct. 1-31 11,272 15,285 -29.0
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 152,330 145,910 3.6
Escort
Oct. 1-31 22,571 24,669 -11.9
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 251,254 246,022 1.3
Festiva/Aspire
Oct. 1-31 2,385 3,826 -40.0
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 34,107 53,891 -37.2
Mustang
Oct. 1-31 8,761 10,957 -23.0
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 108,812 118,252 -8.7
Probe
Oct. 1-31 2,710 3,769 -30.8
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 28,750 47,048 -39.4
FD TOTAL CARS
Oct. 1-31 99,666 100,749 -4.7
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 1,071,194 1,100,406 -3.4
FD DOMESTIC CARS
Oct. 1-31 97,281 96,923 -3.3
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 1,037,087 1,046,515 -1.7
Expedition/Bronco
Oct. 1-31 13,984 2,805 380.1
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 49,617 27,993 75.9
Explorer
Oct. 1-31 38,134 37,234 -1.4
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 334,291 323,960 2.4
Econoline/Club Wagon
Oct. 1-31 13,851 15,831 -15.7
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 148,370 166,406 -11.5
Aerostar
Oct. 1-31 4,251 6,558 -37.6
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 64,516 72,967 -12.3
Windstar
Oct. 1-31 17,692 11,620 46.6
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 178,572 196,191 -9.7
Ranger
Oct. 1-31 22,443 26,395 -18.1
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 244,370 267,274 -9.3
F-Series
Oct. 1-31 72,061 63,974 8.5
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 663,463 579,687 13.6
FD LIGHT TRUCKS
Oct. 1-31 182,416 164,417 6.8
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 1,683,199 1,634,478 2.2
Heavy Truck
Oct. 1-31 3,291 3,913 -19.0
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 38,778 48,596 -20.8
FD TOTAL TRUCKS
Oct. 1-31 185,707 168,330 6.2
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 1,721,977 1,683,074 1.5
FD TOTAL VEHICLES
Oct. 1-31 285,373 269,079 6.2
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 2,793,171 2,783,480 1.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Percentage changes are based on daily selling rates.
LINCOLN-MERCURY DIVISION OCTOBER SALES
Memo:
1996 1995 %Change Selling Days
1996 1995
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Marquis
Oct. 1-31 10,100 8,617 12.9% 24 25
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 85,379 76,068 11.4 231 230
Cougar
Oct. 1-31 2,997 3,960 -27.1
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 31,391 47,436 -34.3
Sable
Oct. 1-31 8,704 9,619 -12.9
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 99,039 85,587 14.8
Topaz
Oct. 1-31 0 0
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 0 399
Mystique
Oct. 1-31 3,908 4,631 -18.7
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 48,140 53,474 -10.7
Tracer
Oct. 1-31 4,377 3,836 9.9
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 42,598 43,949 -3.8
TOTAL MERCURY CARS
Oct. 1-31 30,086 30,663 -5.5
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 306,547 306,913 -0.9
Town Car
Oct. 1-31 8,679 7,766 7.6
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 78,956 78,290 0.1
Mark VIII
Oct. 1-31 1,373 1,194 10.7
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 12,996 14,495 -11.0
Continental
Oct. 1-31 3,387 3,063 6.5
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 25,762 34,067 -25.0
TOTAL LINCOLN
Oct. 1-31 13,439 12,023 6.5
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 117,714 126,852 -7.9
L-M DOMESTIC CARS
Oct. 1-31 43,525 42,686 6.5
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 424,261 433,765 -2.9
L-M TOTAL CARS
Oct. 1-31 43,525 42,686 -1.8
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 424,261 433,765 -2.9
Villager
Oct. 1-31 5,177 5,817 -1.8
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 56,609 64,506 -12.9
Mountaineer
Oct. 1-31 3,806 0
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 18,192 0
L-M LIGHT TRUCKS
Oct. 1-31 8,983 5,817 48.7
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 74,801 64,506 15.1
L-M TOTAL VEHICLES
Oct. 1-31 52,508 48,503 4.2
Jan. 1-Oct. 31 499,062 498,271 -0.6
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Note: Percentage changes are based on daily selling rates.