Ford Wins Annual California Sales Race... Again
25 March 1999
Ford Wins Annual California Sales Race... Again; 1998 Industry Car & Truck Sales Strongest Since 1989
ANAHEIM, Calif., March 24 -- Ford Motor Company sold more
cars and trucks during 1998 than any other automotive company in the important
California market, according to registration figures released by R.L. Polk
Company.
The company's Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers have been the California
sales leaders in four of the past five years. And, for the 16th straight
year, Ford Division captured the year's sales crown as the car and truck sales
leader among all automotive divisions in California.
In a confirmation of the state's economic strength, industry-wide combined
car and truck registrations in California were a healthy 1,674,572 -- up an
impressive six percent over 1997 and the highest since 1989. Truck sales
showed the strongest gains at 758,966 -- up 11.9 percent over 1997, and car
sales also increased 1.6 percent to 915,606.
Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers sold 378,042 cars and trucks in
California during 1998 -- 24,604 more than second-place General Motors and
126,832 more than third place Toyota.
Ford Division sold a record 334,377 cars and trucks in the state in 1998
-- 112,928 more than second-place Toyota and 147,402 more than third place
Chevrolet.
Four of the state's 10 best-selling vehicles are Ford Division products:
F-Series trucks, Explorer, Taurus and Ranger. Taurus, Escort and Mustang are
among the top 10 best-selling cars in the state. F-Series, Explorer, Ranger
and Expedition are among the top 10 best-selling trucks.
"Our customers continue to tell us what they want, and we continue to
bring them the innovative products and service they demand," said Drew
Atkinson, California regional sales manager for Ford Division. "Our strong
sales indicate that we are offering the trend-setting products that
Californians' want -- and we are making our customers Number One."
Reflecting Californian's love of trend-setting cars, strong sales gains
were made by Mustang (up 41.2 percent over 1997 at 24,262 -- 18,923 more units
than Chevrolet Camaro); the sporty ZX2 (up 120 percent at 7,177), and Taurus
(up 5.4% in 1998 to 36,063).
Mercury's Grand Marquis sales increased 33.4 percent in the state to
5,793, while the popularity of the Lincoln Navigator luxury SUV was reflected
by pace-setting sales of 5,238 -- up 160 percent from its 1997 mid-year
introduction. Mountaineer SUV sales were up 12.2 percent to 3,362.
Ford Division's nationwide truck leadership was reflected in California
with F-Series trucks up 16.5% at 68,126 and Ranger up 13.1 percent to 35,024
-- both leaders in the state's full-size and compact truck segments. Explorer
sales increased 19 percent to 50,993, while Expedition climbed 24 percent to
30,590.
Sales Leaders in California
1998
(Total Calendar Year Registrations)
Top Five Manufacturers
1. FORD MOTOR COMPANY 378,042
2. General Motors 353,438
3. Toyota 251,210
4. Chrysler 209,400
5. Honda 174,476
Top 10 Cars
1. Toyota Camry 68,837
2. Honda Civic 68,570
3. Honda Accord 62,345
4. Toyota Corolla 43,318
5. FORD TAURUS 36,063
6. FORD MUSTANG 24,262
7. Saturn 23,068
8. Chevrolet Cavalier 19,678
9. FORD ESCORT 19,386
10. Chevrolet Malibu 17,251
Top 10 Trucks
1. FORD F-SERIES 68,126
2. FORD EXPLORER 50,993
3. Chevrolet C/K 35,137
4. FORD RANGER 35,024
5. Toyota Pickup 34,923
6. Dodge D150/350 34,224
7. FORD EXPEDITION 30,590
8. Dodge Caravan 27,021
9. Toyota 4 Runner 25,747
10. Jeep Grand Cherokee 20,375
Top 10 Vehicles
1. Toyota Camry 68,837
2. Honda Civic 68,570
3. FORD F-SERIES 68,126
4. Honda Accord 62,345
5. FORD EXPLORER 50,993
6. Toyota Corolla 43,318
7. FORD TAURUS 36,063
8. Chevrolet C/K 35,137
9. FORD RANGER 35,024
10. Toyota Pickup 34,923
Source: R.L. Polk Company