Ford Maintains Sales Leadership in Michigan
14 April 1999
Ford Maintains Sales Leadership in Michigan
DETROIT, April 13 -- According to R.L. Polk's 1998 vehicle
registrations, Ford had five of the top 10 best-selling vehicles and
was the overall sales leader in Michigan. The Ford F-Series was number one
with 42,403 vehicle registrations -- proving that Michiganders are still crazy
about their Ford trucks.
Ford F-Series trucks have occupied the top spot nationally for 17-straight
years, making it the best-selling vehicle overall in 1998 with a total of over
836,000 sold -- the most for any model in the U.S. in the past two decades.
In 1998, Michigan drivers registered about 242,580 new Ford, Lincoln and
Mercury brand cars and trucks. Ford Motor Company's Ford Division had 187,456
registrations, of which 61,080 were cars and 126,376 were trucks. Ford
Division has 160 dealers in the state.
Lincoln and Mercury had approximately 55,124 registrations in the state,
of which 40,677 were cars and 14,447 were trucks. Lincoln Mercury has 103
dealerships in Michigan, some of which are shared with Ford Division.
Ford Motor Company continued to be ranked number one in its home state
after completing some of the most important product launches in the company's
95-year history.
During the past year, Ford significantly contributed to Michigan's economy
in several other areas. Ford is one of Michigan's largest private-sector
employers. The company paid its 80,389 Michigan-based employees $5.5 billion
in salaries and wages.
In 1998, Ford's Southeast Michigan-based hourly and salaried employees
smoothly launched new or significantly refreshed several vehicles, including
the 1999 Ford Mustang (Dearborn Assembly) and 1999 Mercury Cougar
(AutoAlliance -- Flat Rock).
In the past year, Ford significantly contributed to Michigan's economy in
several other ways. The company last year paid more than $169 million in real
estate and personal (machinery and equipment) property taxes to the state in
1998. In addition, Ford purchased about $12 billion in production components
from about 378 Michigan suppliers.
Ford employees work at 27 manufacturing facilities and administrative
offices throughout the state. Ford's activities in the state include: the
sale of vehicles, auto parts and services, and financial services; steel and
plastic stamping operations, the production of iron castings, the manufacture
of engines and engine components, the manufacture of transmission and
transmission components; and the assembly of cars and trucks.
Ford made significant investments in Michigan during 1998. Wixom Assembly
-- the largest Ford car assembly plant in North America -- has been retooled
and 417,000 square feet have been added for the new Lincoln LS sports sedan,
which will begin to appear in dealer showrooms in the spring of 1999. This
improvement coincides with a new "clamshell" transportation system, engine
line, laser-guided glass operations and 26 new loading docks.
In addition, the Dearborn Assembly Plant (Rouge Complex) was retooled to
produce the new 1999 Ford Mustang, which continues to have a loyal following
since its introduction in 1964. Also, a new, more environmentally-friendly
paint operation which will begin operation was installed in early 2000. In
2000, Ford Motor Company plans to produce a new engine at the Dearborn Engine
and Fuel Tank Plant, which is also located in the Rouge Complex.
Ford Motor Credit Company, the world's largest automotive financing
company, employs 2,400 people working in six branches and other facilities in
the state. According to R.L. Polk Market Research, Ford Credit is the
automotive captive finance market share leader in the United States and has
won more J.D. Power and Associates quality awards for automotive financing
than any other finance provider.
Finally, Michigan employees, aided by gifts from the Ford Motor Company
Fund, supported state charities with contributions exceeding $15.2 million.
To get the latest information about Ford Motor Company, click on
http://www.ford.com.
Top 10 Truck Nameplates Top 10 Car Nameplates
in Michigan (CY 1998) in Michigan (CY 1998)
1. F-Series 42,403 1. Taurus 25,088
2. C/K Series 30,493 2. Escort 19,427
3. Explorer 25,648 3. Grand Am 15,044
4. S-10 20,138 4. Cavalier 13,807
5. Dodge LT 19,357 5. Malibu 12,009
6. Ranger 17,938 6. Grand Prix 10,019
7. Caravan 16,630 7. Saturn
4-Door 9,857
8. GR Cherokee 16,065 8. Sable 9,649
9. Cherokee XJ 15,769 9. Lumina 9,218
10. S-10 blazer 15,760 10. Continental 8,789
Top 10 Car & Truck Nameplates
in Michigan (CY 1998)
1. F-Series 42,403
2. C/K Series 30,493
3. Explorer 25,648
4. Taurus 25,088
5. S-10 20,138
6. Escort 19,427
7. Dodge LT 19,357
8. Ranger 17,938
9. Caravan 16,630
10. GR Cherokee 16,065