Ford's October U.S. Sales up 2%
4 November 1998
Ford's October U.S. Sales up 2%; Trucks Climb 9% to Sixth Consecutive Record
Ford Retail Sales up Seventh Month in a Row
DETROIT, Nov. 4 -- U.S. customers purchased or leased 338,340
cars and trucks from Ford , Mercury, Lincoln, and Jaguar dealers in
October, up two percent from a year ago. Truck sales climbed nine percent to
207,559 -- the sixth consecutive month of record truck sales. Car sales were
130,781, down eight percent.
"October was the seventh month in a row of higher Ford sales to individual
retail customers," said Bob Rewey, Ford group vice president of marketing,
sales, and service. "This indicates that consumer demand remains strong, and
our focus on customer value is paying off."
Further indications of consumer buoyancy are that Ford's October sales
have a higher-than-normal mix of new models, which have lower discounts, and
fewer sales to daily rental and other fleet customers.
"This October, over 50 percent of our retail car sales were 1999 models,"
noted Rewey. "That is much higher than last October's mix of new models,
which was 34 percent. We're certainly encouraged by the response to our new
products and features."
In a move to respond to increased customer and dealer demand, Ford is
boosting North American fourth quarter production by 25,000 vehicles.
The truck sales record was paced by the Ford F-Series, Explorer, and
Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. F-Series sales of 77,578 (up 20%) set an
October record. F-Series sales have been higher eight months in a row --
averaging 75,000 per month during this period. The Explorer, Expedition, and
Navigator each set an any-month sales record in October.
"Some of our most popular products are posting extraordinary sales
performances with little, if any, price discounting," observed Rewey.
"Obviously, price is an important factor in the value equation. But the
improvements that Ford is making in product quality, styling, and features are
the key factors driving our sales results. An economic environment that
provides job growth and wage increases with low inflation and interest rates
doesn't hurt either."
F-Series was bolstered earlier this year by the all-new 1999 Super Duty,
which accounts for almost 40 percent of total F-Series sales. The highest
volume Super Duty model is the F-250 with a Super Cab that offers customers
the roomiest interior in the industry and four-door versatility as standard
equipment. All 1999 F-150/250 light duty Super Cab pickups also have four-
doors standard.
The major improvement to Ford's quartet of sport utility vehicles is that
all 1999 Ford Explorers and Expeditions, Mercury Mountaineers, and Lincoln
Navigators have been certified as low-emission vehicles (LEVs).
The new 1999 Ford Windstar and Mercury Villager minivans are just
beginning to arrive at U.S. dealers. The Windstar features unmatched safety
and convenience features and also is certified as an LEV. The Villager has
standard driver and passenger-side sliding doors, increased cargo room, and a
more powerful V-6 engine.
October sales of passenger cars to daily rental and other fleet customers
were 34 percent lower than a year ago. This factor more than accounted for
the decline in passenger car sales. Retail sales of 1998 and 1999 models were
higher than comparable models a year ago, and enabled several cars to post
sales increases for the month.
Ford Mustang sales were up for the 16th month in a row, setting the stage
for the newest model in the 35-year history of the legendary pony car.
Employees at Ford's Dearborn Assembly Plant began production of the 1999
Mustang on Monday, November 2. The new Mustang features added horsepower,
all-speed traction control, and aggressive "edge" styling.
The Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis posted retail sales
increases in October. Sales for the redesigned full-size passenger cars,
which received double five-star safety ratings in the federal government's
frontal crash tests, also are up for the calendar year.
Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable retail sales were higher, reflecting
positive early response to the value and safety improvements incorporated in
the 1999 models. Prices for Taurus and Sable four-door sedans were reduced by
$1,000 (station wagon prices were reduced by over $1,800). All of these
models received double five-star safety ratings in the government crash tests.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY OCTOBER SALES
(Including Jaguar Cars)
October Month DSR % October CYTD DSR %
1998 1997 Change 1998 1997 Change
TOTAL VEHICLES 338,340 332,850 1.6% 3,311,925 3,289,262 0.7%
TOTAL CARS 130,781 142,489 -8.2 1,340,323 1,401,618 -4.4
TOTAL TRUCKS 207,559 190,361 9.0 1,971,602 1,887,644 4.4
memo:
Domestic Cars 128,812 138,641 -7.1% 1,317,379 1,355,119 -2.8%
Imported Cars 1,969 3,848 -48.8 22,944 46,499 -50.7
Light Trucks 206,620 187,102 10.4 1,958,700 1,851,735 5.8
Heavy Trucks 939 3,259 -71.2 12,902 35,909 -64.1
(Excluding Jaguar Cars)
October Month DSR % October CYTD DSR %
1998 1997 Change 1998 1997 Change
TOTAL VEHICLES 336,371 330,731 1.7% 3,293,898 3,273,777 0.6%
TOTAL CARS 128,812 140,370 -8.2 1,322,296 1,386,133 -4.6
TOTAL TRUCKS 207,559 190,361 9.0 1,971,602 1,887,644 4.4
memo:
Domestic Cars 128,812 138,641 -7.1% 1,317,379 1,355,119 -2.8%
Imported Cars 0 1,729 -100.0 4,917 31,014 -84.1
Light Trucks 206,620 187,102 10.4 1,958,700 1,851,735 5.8
Heavy Trucks 939 3,259 -71.2 12,902 35,909 -64.1
Note: Percentage changes are based on daily selling rates.
Selling Days 27 27 257 257
CONTACT: George Pipas, 313-446-9195
FORD BRAND OCTOBER SALES
October Month DSR % October CYTD DSR %
1998 1997 Change 1998 1997 Change
Crown Victoria 8,407 8,475 -0.8% 95,701 95,046 0.7%
Thunderbird 0 4,459 -100.0 2,243 62,866 -96.4
Taurus 33,030 42,160 -21.7 317,011 304,023 4.3
Contour 11,686 11,523 1.4 124,822 131,441 -5.0
Escort 22,451 19,506 15.1 258,110 244,143 5.7
Aspire 0 1,729 -100.0 4,917 31,014 -84.1
Mustang 11,335 9,347 21.3 120,901 99,035 22.1
Probe 0 782 -100.0 3,058 15,239 -79.9
TOTAL FORD CARS 86,909 97,981 -11.3% 926,763 982,807 -5.7%
Expedition/Bronco 23,825 21,035 13.3% 182,130 177,087 2.8%
Explorer 41,667 34,635 20.3 352,220 313,678 12.3
Econoline/
Club Wagon 17,826 15,561 14.6 175,816 159,546 10.2
Aerostar 0 1,504 -100.0 1,060 43,155 -97.5
Windstar 8,880 13,300 -33.2 161,071 174,864 -7.9
Ranger 26,644 25,025 6.5 277,455 251,546 10.3
F-Series 77,578 64,559 20.2 701,127 626,615 11.9
TOTAL FORD
LT. TRUCKS 196,420 175,619 11.8% 1,850,879 1,746,491 6.0%
Heavy Trucks 939 3,259 -71.2 12,902 35,909 -64.1
TOTAL FORD
TRUCKS 197,359 178,878 10.3% 1,863,781 1,782,400 4.6%
TOTAL FORD
VEHICLES 284,268 276,859 2.7% 2,790,544 2,765,207 0.9%
CONTACT: Anne Doyle, Ford Division, 313-446-7730
LINCOLN MERCURY BRAND OCTOBER SALES
October Month DSR % October CYTD DSR %
1998 1997 Change 1998 1997 Change
Grand Marquis 10,153 8,950 13.4% 95,968 90,639 5.9%
Cougar (RWD) 0 2,492 -100.0 2,751 27,610 -90.0
Cougar (FWD) 5,057 0 NA 27,241 0 NA
Sable 9,442 11,343 -16.8 85,759 97,487 -12.0
Mystique 3,606 3,603 0.1 33,359 34,569 -3.5
Tracer 2,238 2,387 -6.2 29,415 38,400 -23.4
TOTAL MERCURY
CARS 30,496 28,775 6.0% 274,493 288,705 -4.9%
Town Car 8,768 8,240 6.4 82,086 75,509 8.7
Mark VIII 311 1,840 -83.1 10,065 13,545 -25.7
Continental 2,328 3,534 -34.1 28,889 25,567 13.0
TOTAL LINCOLN
CARS 11,407 13,614 -16.2% 121,040 114,621 5.6%
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
CARS 41,903 42,389 -1.1% 395,533 403,326 -1.9%
Villager 1,915 3,505 -45.4% 32,582 49,157 -33.7%
Mountaineer 3,703 3,614 2.5 39,969 37,546 6.5
TOTAL MERCURY
LT. TRUCKS 5,618 7,119 -21.1% 72,551 86,703 -16.3%
Navigator 4,582 4,364 5.0 35,270 18,541 90.2
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
LT. TRUCKS 10,200 11,483 -11.2% 107,821 105,244 2.4%
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
VEHICLES 52,103 53,872 -3.3% 503,354 508,570 -1.0%
Memo: Total
Lincoln Vehicles 15,989 17,978 -11.1% 156,310 133,162 17.4%
CONTACT: Tom Mattia, Mercury and Lincoln, 949-788-2336
JAGUAR OCTOBER SALES
October Month DSR % October CYTD DSR %
1998 1997 Change 1998 1997 Change
XJ6/8 685 713 -3.9% 5,679 3,969 43.1%
XJ6/8 L 260 300 -13.3 2,463 2,764 -10.9
Vanden Plas 431 451 -4.4 3,864 2,305 67.6
XJR 219 65 236.9 1,285 420 206.0
XJ12 0 0 0.0 0 47 -100.0
XJS 0 0 0.0 0 47 -100.0
XK8 - Coupe 43 75 -42.7 534 887 -39.8
XK8 - Convertible 331 515 -35.7 4,202 5,046 -16.7
TOTAL JAGUAR CARS 1,969 2,119 -7.1% 18,027 15,485 16.4%
CONTACT: Jaguar Public Affairs, 888-476-9537