Ford Motor Company's U.S. Sales Up 4% in July
4 August 1999
Ford Motor Company's U.S. Sales Up 4% in July; Twelfth Consecutive Monthly Sales Increase
DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 3 -- U.S. consumers purchased or leased
356,949 cars and trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, and Volvo dealers
in July enabling Ford Motor Company to post a four percent increase
in sales compared with July 1998. Sales of passenger cars were 151,773, up 18
percent. Truck sales were 205,176, down four percent.
"Consumer demand for new cars and trucks remained strong in July," said
Bob Rewey, Ford's group vice president for marketing, sales, and service.
"We're pleased with our results, particularly our very strong showing in
passenger cars."
Rewey acknowledges that competition in the U.S. auto market is intense.
"That's not news, that's a fact," he said. "The product plans and business
strategies that we put in place three years ago were based on the assumption
that competition would intensify. It's great for consumers and Ford Motor
Company because our focus on improving efficiency, eliminating waste, and
developing innovative products has enabled us to be the 'and' company in North
America -- delivering better customer value 'and' improving margins."
"We believe there are three major factors driving record consumer demand
in the U.S.," explained Rewey. "First, favorable economic fundamentals.
Second, prices for new cars and trucks have been stable while incomes and
household net wealth have increased. Third, innovative products. Each of our
brands are benefiting from innovative products and an intense focus on the
consumer."
In July, each one of Ford Motor Company's brands posted an increase in
passenger car sales compared with July 1998. Jaguar sales more than doubled
(up 104%) compared with a year ago thanks to the S-TYPE, Jaguar's all-new,
mid-size sedan. Volvo's 29-percent sales increase reflected growing demand
for its flagship sedan, the S80. Mercury's distinctively-styled Cougar
continues to set sales records and attract new customers. The LS, an all-new,
mid-size sedan, helped Lincoln post a 30-percent increase in car sales. Ford
car sales were powered by the Mustang, redesigned for 1999. Mustang sales
have increased 25 months in a row.
"If you examine our results, and the results of our competitors, you'll
convince yourself that product is a key element in explaining this year's
record-breaking sales pace," said Rewey. "We're extremely confident about the
future because we have several innovative product introductions just around
the corner."
July 19 marked the first day of production for two breakthrough Ford
products -- the Ford Focus at the Wayne (MI) Assembly Plant and the Ford
Excursion at the Kentucky Truck Plant. The Ford Focus, already acclaimed as
"European Car of the Year", and the Ford Excursion set industry standards in
their segments. Production of the 2000 Ford Super Duty F-Series, the
industry's first full-size pickup to achieve low emission vehicle status, also
has started.
Rewey commented on the outlook for industry sales: "Although it's a little
early to forecast a specific number, we're confident that consumer demand in
Y2K will remain strong."
FORD MOTOR COMPANY JULY U.S. SALES
July Month DSR % July CYTD DSR %
1999 1998 Change 1999 1998 Change
TOTAL VEHICLES 356,949 343,183 4.0% 2,509,495 2,323,045 8.0%
TOTAL CARS 151,773 128,948 17.7 1,015,389 949,781 6.9
TOTAL TRUCKS 205,176 214,235 -4.2 1,494,106 1,373,264 8.8
Memo: Combined Car and Truck Sales By Brand
Ford 291,039 293,964 -1.0% 2,085,555 1,961,711 6.3%
Mercury 37,019 33,389 10.9 270,840 240,669 12.5
Lincoln 16,874 13,963 20.8 98,005 108,109 -9.3
Jaguar 3,805 1,867 103.8 16,895 12,556 34.6
Volvo 8,212 6,382 28.7 66,141 61,434 7.7
Total Ford Motor
Company 356,949 343,183 4.0% 2,509,495 2,323,045 8.0%
CONTACT: George Pipas, 313-323-9216.
Note: Ford acquired Volvo cars on March 31, 1999. Accordingly, Ford
Motor Company's 1998 sales totals exclude Volvo and Ford's 1999 sales totals
do not include Volvo prior to March 31.
FORD BRAND JULY U.S. SALES
July Month DSR % July CYTD DSR %
1999 1998 Change 1999 1998 Change
Crown Victoria 11,650 10,193 14.3% 74,779 71,723 4.3%
Taurus 31,970 26,936 18.7 221,027 223,037 -0.9
Contour 9,811 12,356 -20.6 81,950 91,270 -10.2
Focus 424 0 NA 424 0 NA
Escort 28,591 28,244 1.2 180,153 179,316 0.5
Mustang 14,077 13,110 7.4 110,190 88,399 24.7
Thunderbird NA NA NA NA 2,243 NA
Aspire NA NA NA NA 4,917 NA
Probe NA NA NA NA 3,058 NA
TOTAL FORD CARS 96,523 90,839 6.3% 668,523 663,963 0.7%
Expedition 19,597 20,271 -3.3% 132,049 119,834 10.2%
Explorer 35,771 35,096 1.9 242,196 233,879 3.6
Excursion 118 0 NA 118 0 NA
Econoline/
Club Wagon 19,466 18,546 5.0 126,611 126,211 0.3
Aerostar NA NA NA NA 1,060 NA
Windstar 19,549 19,049 2.6 144,325 128,092 12.7
Ranger 28,457 28,056 1.4 244,533 194,146 26.0
F-Series 70,374 81,133 -13.3 520,325 484,173 7.5
Heavy Trucks 1,184 974 21.6 6,875 10,353 -33.6
TOTAL FORD
TRUCKS 194,516 203,125 -4.2% 1,417,032 1,297,748 9.2%
TOTAL FORD BRAND 291,039 293,964 -1.0% 2,085,555 1,961,711 6.3%
CONTACT: Anne Doyle, Ford Division, 313-845-1527
LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND JULY U.S. SALES
July Month DSR % July CYTD DSR %
1999 1998 Change 1999 1998 Change
Grand Marquis 9,744 8,324 17.1% 71,322 68,155 4.6%
Cougar (FWD) 5,497 4,220 30.3 38,090 11,392 234.4
Sable 9,484 7,309 29.8 64,569 61,334 5.3
Mystique 2,170 2,647 -18.0 23,782 23,930 -0.6
Tracer 2,159 2,828 -23.7 16,944 21,521 -21.3
Cougar (RWD) NA NA NA NA 2,751 NA
TOTAL MERCURY
CARS 29,054 25,328 14.7% 214,707 189,083 13.6%
Town Car 8,372 7,073 18.4 53,048 55,962 -5.2
Continental 2,470 2,764 -10.6 16,069 19,778 -18.8
LS 3,337 NA NA 7,947 NA NA
Mark VIII NA 1,077 NA NA 8,439 NA
TOTAL LINCOLN
CARS 14,179 10,914 29.9% 77,064 84,179 -8.5%
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
CARS 43,233 36,242 19.3% 291,771 273,262 6.8%
Villager 3,632 4,369 -16.9% 28,008 23,673 18.3%
Mountaineer 4,333 3,692 17.4 28,125 27,913 0.8
TOTAL MERCURY
TRUCKS 7,965 8,061 -1.2% 56,133 51,586 8.8%
Navigator 2,695 3,049 -11.6 20,941 23,930 -12.5
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
TRUCKS 10,660 11,110 -4.1% 77,074 75,516 2.1%
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
VEHICLES 53,893 47,352 13.8% 368,845 348,778 5.8%
Memo: Total
Lincoln Brand 16,874 13,963 20.8% 98,005 108,109 -9.3%
Total Mercury
Brand 37,019 33,389 10.9 270,840 240,669 12.5
CONTACT: Tom Mattia, Lincoln and Mercury, 949-788-2336
JAGUAR CARS JULY U.S. SALES
July Month DSR % July CYTD DSR %
1999 1998 Change 1999 1998 Change
XJ6/8 555 670 -17.2% 3,560 3,618 -1.6%
XJ6/8 L 141 198 -28.8 1,072 1,789 -40.1
Vanden Plas 392 338 16.0 2,242 2,632 -14.8
XJR 123 185 -33.5 934 878 6.4
S-TYPE 2,108 NA NA 5,952 NA NA
XK8 - Coupe 23 53 -56.6 272 417 -34.8
XK8 - Convertible 463 423 9.5 2,863 3,222 -11.1
TOTAL JAGUAR CARS 3,805 1,867 103.8% 16,895 12,556 34.6%
CONTACT: Jaguar Public Affairs, 888-476-9537
VOLVO CARS JULY U.S. SALES
July Month DSR % July CYTD DSR %
1999 1998 Change 1999 1998 Change
70 Series 5,259 6,204 -15.2% 46,049 53,557 -14.0%
90 Series 3 160 NA 3 7,498 NA
S80 2,950 NA NA 20,050 NA NA
850 Series 0 13 NA 18 230 NA
900 Series 0 5 NA 20 148 NA
40 Series 0 NA NA 1 1 NA
TOTAL VOLVO CARS 8,212 6,382 28.7% 66,141 61,434 7.7%
CONTACT: Soren Johansson, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc., 201-767-4888