Ford's November U.S. Sales Up 1%
4 December 1998
Ford's November U.S. Sales Up 1%; Trucks Climb 7% to Seventh Consecutive Monthly Record
Ford Pickups and Sport Utility Vehicles Set 12-Month Records in 11 Months Time
DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 3 -- U.S. customers purchased or leased
287,262 cars and trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, and Jaguar dealers in
November, up one percent from a year ago. Truck sales climbed seven percent
to 188,160 -- the seventh consecutive month of record truck sales. Car sales
were 99,102, down eight percent. November marked the fourth month in a row of
higher Ford sales compared with a year ago and the seventh month in
the last eight.
"It's been an excellent year for Ford and the U.S. auto industry," said
Bob Rewey, Ford's group vice president for marketing, sales, and service. "It
looks like 1998 may be Ford's best sales year since 1978, and the U.S.
industry's best year since 1986. For 1999, we expect U.S. vehicle sales will
be somewhat lower than 1998, but probably in the 15 million plus range for the
sixth consecutive year."
In a move to respond to increased customer and dealer demand, Ford is
boosting North American fourth quarter production by 15,000 trucks. In
addition, Ford announced today that its first quarter 1999 North American
production schedule is 12 percent higher than the first quarter 1998,
reflecting higher truck production.
As in past months, higher sales of pickup trucks and sport utility
vehicles were the major factors in Ford's sales improvement.
"With one month to go in 1998, Ford pickup trucks and sport utility
vehicles already have set full year sales records," noted Rewey. "Our pickup
sales momentum coincided with the implementation of the twelve-door strategy.
In less than eight months, we introduced four-door Super Cabs across our
entire line of pickups."
Consumers purchased 66,478 "Built Ford Tough" F-Series pickups in
November, up 11 percent from a year ago. F-Series calendar year-to-date sales
stand at 767,605 -- on track to eclipse the 800,000 sales mark and retain the
title of America's best-selling vehicle, car or truck, for the 17th year in a
row. Ford's compact pickup, the Ranger, posted November sales of 24,618 --
bringing its 1998 sales total to 302,073. In eleven months, Ford's full-
size/compact duo has set a full year industry record for pickup sales of
1,069,678 (Ford set the previous full year record of 1,069,231 in 1996),
marking the fourth year in a row that Ford pickup sales have eclipsed the
one million milestone.
Combined sales of sport utility vehicles (Ford Explorer and Expedition,
Mercury Mountaineer, and Lincoln Navigator) set a November sales record of
67,311 and lifted calendar year-to-date sales to 676,900. The previous full
year sales record (670,570) was set last year. Over 70 percent of Ford's
November SUV sales were 1999 models, which are low-emission vehicles.
November year-to-date sales for the Ford Explorer reached 390,460, almost
double its closest competitor. Explorer has been America's best-selling SUV
since 1990.
"Pickups and SUVs have carried us to seven consecutive truck sales
records," said Rewey. "Our truck sales momentum should continue with the
addition of the redesigned Ford Windstar and Mercury Villager minivans."
On November 30, Ford announced that the 1999 Ford Windstar had earned the
highest possible safety rating in government frontal crash tests -- the fifth
straight year Windstar achieved this distinction. For 1999, Windstar also is
certified as a low-emission vehicle which makes it America's cleanest, safest
minivan.
The November car sales decline primarily reflected lower sales of small
cars (Ford Escort and Contour and Mercury Tracer and Mystique). Retail sales
for mid-size (Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable) and large cars (Ford Crown
Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis) were higher than a year ago. "The Taurus
and Sable increases are encouraging," said Rewey. "There is a growing
awareness of the value and safety improvements we incorporated in the 1999
models."
The 1999 Taurus and Sable, as well as the Crown Victoria and Grand
Marquis, earned double five-star safety ratings in government frontal crash
tests. In addition, prices for 1999 model Taurus and Sable four-door sedans
were reduced by $1,000 compared with 1998 models (station wagon prices were
reduced by over $1,800).
Ford Mustang posted a sales increase (23%) for the 17th month in a row.
No other car (or truck) has such a long string of year-to-year sales
increases. Mustang celebrates its 35th anniversary with a redesigned 1999
model, which officially debuts the day after Christmas. The newest edition of
the legendary pony car features added horsepower, standard ABS brakes,
available all-speed traction control, and aggressive "New Edge" styling.
In November, Jaguar posted its twelfth increase in the last thirteen
months with sales of 2,004 (up eight percent). Calendar year-to-date Jaguar
sales total 20,031 (up 16 percent).
FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOVEMBER SALES
(Including Jaguar Cars)
November Month DSR % November CYTD DSR %
1998 1997 Change 1998 1997 Change
TOTAL VEHICLES 287,262 283,452 1.3% 3,599,187 3,572,714 0.7%
TOTAL CARS 99,102 108,246 -8.4 1,439,425 1,509,864 -4.7
TOTAL TRUCKS 188,160 175,206 7.4 2,159,762 2,062,850 7
memo:
Domestic Cars 97,098 105,193 -7.7% 1,414,477 1,460,312 -3.1%
Imported Cars 2,004 3,053 -34.4 24,948 49,552 -49.7
Light Trucks 187,467 172,443 8.7 2,146,167 2,024,178 6.0
Heavy Trucks 693 2,763 -74.9 13,595 38,672 -64.8
(Excluding Jaguar Cars)
November Month DSR % November CYTD DSR %
1998 1997 Change 1998 1997 Change
TOTAL VEHICLES 285,258 281,593 1.3% 3,579,156 3,555,370 0.7%
TOTAL CARS 97,098 106,387 -8.7 1,419,394 1,492,520 -4.9
TOTAL TRUCKS 188,160 175,206 7.4 2,159,762 2,062,850 4.7
memo:
Domestic Cars 97,098 105,193 -7.7% 1,414,477 1,460,312 -3.1%
Imported Cars 0 1,194 -100.0 4,917 32,208 -84.7
Light Trucks 187,467 172,443 8.7 2,146,167 2,024,178 6.0
Heavy Trucks 693 2,763 -74.9 13,595 38,672 -64.8
Note: Percentage changes are based on daily selling rates.
Selling Days 24 24 281 281
CONTACT: George Pipas, 313-446-9195
FORD BRAND NOVEMBER SALES
November Month DSR % November CYTD DSR %
1998 1997 Change 1998 1997 Change
Crown Victoria 8,513 6,321 34.7% 104,214 101,367 2.8%
Thunderbird 0 2,184 -100.0 2,243 65,050 -96.6
Taurus 25,439 27,039 -5.9 342,450 331,062 3.4
Contour 5,560 9,270 -40.0 130,382 140,711 -7.3
Escort 15,334 18,931 -19.0 273,444 263,074 3.9
Aspire 0 1,194 -100.0 4,917 32,208 -84.7
Mustang 10,135 8,219 23.3 131,036 107,254 22.2
Probe 0 596 -100.0 3,058 15,835 -80.7
TOTAL FORD CARS 64,981 73,754 -11.9% 991,744 1,056,561 -6.1%
Expedition/Bronco 21,282 18,645 14.1% 203,412 195,732 3.9%
Explorer 38,240 33,556 14.0 390,460 347,234 12.4
Econoline/Club
Wagon 14,776 12,882 14.7 190,592 172,428 10.5
Aerostar 0 1,009 -100.0 1,060 44,164 -97.6
Windstar 11,621 12,328 -5.7 172,692 187,192 -7.7
Ranger 24,618 23,156 6.3 302,073 274,702 10.0
F-Series 66,478 59,830 11.1 767,605 686,445 11.8
TOTAL FORD
LT. TRUCKS 177,015 161,406 9.7% 2,027,894 1,907,897 6.3%
Heavy Trucks 693 2,763 -74.9 13,595 38,672 -64.8
TOTAL FORD
TRUCKS 177,708 164,169 8.2% 2,041,489 1,946,569 4.9%
TOTAL FORD
VEHICLES 242,689 237,923 2.0% 3,033,233 3,003,130 1.0%
CONTACT: Anne Doyle, Ford Division, 313-446-7730
LINCOLN MERCURY BRAND NOVEMBER SALES
November Month DSR % November CYTD DSR %
1998 1997 Change 1998 1997 Change
Grand Marquis 8,542 7,438 14.8% 104,510 98,077 6.6%
Cougar (RWD) 0 1,625 -100.0 2,751 29,235 -90.6
Cougar (FWD) 4,176 0 NA 31,417 0 NA
Sable 6,226 6,625 -6.0 91,985 104,112 -11.6
Mystique 1,867 3,193 -41.5 35,226 37,762 -6.7
Tracer 1,570 2,478 -36.6 30,985 40,878 -24.2
TOTAL MERCURY
CARS 22,381 21,359 4.8% 296,874 310,064 -4.3%
Town Car 6,613 7,425 -10.9 88,699 82,934 7.0
Mark VIII 440 1,346 -67.3 10,505 14,891 -29.5
Continental 2,683 2,503 7.2 31,572 28,070 12.5
TOTAL LINCOLN
CARS 9,736 11,274 -13.6% 130,776 125,895 3.9%
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
CARS 32,117 32,633 -1.6% 427,650 435,959 -1.9%
Villager 2,663 3,031 -12.1% 35,245 52,188 -32.5%
Mountaineer 3,570 3,747 -4.7 43,539 41,293 5.4
TOTAL MERCURY
LT. TRUCKS 6,233 6,778 -8.0% 78,784 93,481 -15.7%
Navigator 4,219 4,259 -0.9 39,489 22,800 73.2
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
LT. TRUCKS 10,452 11,037 -5.3% 118,273 116,281 1.7%
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
VEHICLES 42,569 43,670 -2.5% 545,923 552,240 -1.1%
Memo: Total Lincoln
Vehicles 13,955 15,533 -10.2% 170,265 148,695 14.5%
CONTACT: Tom Mattia, Mercury and Lincoln, 949-788-2336
JAGUAR NOVEMBER SALES
November Month DSR % November CYTD DSR %
1998 1997 Change 1998 1997 Change
XJ6/8 646 568 13.7% 6,325 4,537 39.4%
XJ6/8 L 298 279 6.8 2,761 3,043 -9.3
Vanden Plas 437 404 8.2 4,301 2,709 58.8
XJR 162 147 10.2 1,447 567 155.2
XJ12 0 0 0.0 0 47 -100.0
XJS 0 2 0.0 0 49 -100.0
XK8 - Coupe 57 70 -18.6 591 957 -38.2
XK8 - Convertible 404 389 3.9 4,606 5,435 -15.3
TOTAL JAGUAR CARS 2,004 1,859 7.8% 20,031 17,344 15.5%
CONTACT: Jaguar Public Affairs, 888-476-9537