Ford Motor Company Topples December and Full Year U.S. Sales Records
5 January 2000
Ford Motor Company Topples December and Full Year U.S. Sales Records
Ford F-Series Remains America's Best-Selling Vehicle;
Ford Explorer Is America's Favorite SUV
DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 5 -- U.S. customers purchased or leased
4,163,369 cars and trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, and Volvo
dealers in 1999, breaking a company record that had stood for 21 years. The
previous full year U.S. sales record of 4,028,644 was set in 1978. The
company's Ford, Jaguar, and Volvo brands set full year sales records.
The company also posted a December sales record of 333,757, breaking the
old mark of 331,330 that was set in 1986. The Ford Focus and Excursion,
Jaguar S-TYPE, and Volvo S40/V40 concluded 1999 with "best-ever" sales
performances. The Lincoln LS, recently named Motor Trend magazine's Car of
the Year, also continued its string of strong showings.
The Ford F-Series pickup broke a 21-year old sales record and, for the
18th consecutive year, reigned as America's top-selling vehicle with sales of
869,001. The previous F-Series sales record of 864,046 was set in 1978. For
the ninth year in a row, the Ford Explorer topped the SUV sales charts. In
1999, Explorer sales were a near-record 428,772. Since its introduction in
March 1990, over 3.3 million customers have taken delivery of a Ford Explorer
-- easily the best seller in a decade that will be remembered for the stunning
growth in SUV sales.
"A strong economy, confident consumers, and innovative products were the
major factors driving our record-breaking sales and earnings in 1999," said
Bob Rewey, Ford's newly-appointed Group Vice President, Global Consumer
Services and North America. "The good news is these factors are 'alive and
well' as we kick off 2000."
Full Year Sales By Brand
Ford dealers sold a record 3.4 million cars and trucks in 1999, making
Ford America's top-selling automotive brand for the 13th consecutive year. In
addition to Ford F-Series' record-breaking performance, the Ford Ranger
(348,358) and Ford Expedition (233,125) also set sales records. The Ranger
has been the top-selling compact pickup truck for 13 years in a row and the
Expedition has been the top-selling full-size sport utility vehicle for three
years in a row. The Ford Mustang had its best sales year since 1988 as sales
climbed 15 percent compared with 1998.
Jaguar set a new U.S. sales record in 1999 helped by the mid-year debut of
the S-TYPE, an all-new mid-size sedan. For the full year, Jaguar sales
totaled 35,039, up 56 percent from a year ago and bettering the previous U.S.
record of 24,464 set in 1986.
The all-new S40 and V40 compact sedan and wagon, and the continued success
of the S80 sedan, helped Volvo post a U.S. sales record of 116,692, up 15
percent from a year ago. Volvo's previous sales record (113,267) was set in
1986.
In 1999, Lincoln sales totaled 176,493, down six percent compared with a
year ago. The sales decline dove-tailed lower production necessitated by the
mid-year launch of the Lincoln LS and limited availability of the Lincoln
Navigator's 32-valve, 300-horsepower engine.
Mercury full year sales totaled 438,000, up seven percent. Record sales
for the Mercury Mountaineer, full year availability of the Mercury Cougar, and
higher sales for the Grand Marquis, which posted its best year since 1986,
more than offset the impact of discontinuing the Mercury Tracer.
December Sales
In the month of December, consumers purchased or leased 333,757 cars and
trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, and Volvo dealers, up three
percent from a year ago. Jaguar and Volvo set new December sales records.
Jaguar sales were 4,946 (the highest sales total for any month), up 100
percent, and Volvo sales were 12,162, up 42 percent. The Ford F-Series set a
December sales record of 69,338 as did the Mercury Mountaineer. The all-new
Ford Focus and Ford Excursion each posted best-ever sales months. December
sales for the Ford Focus were 20,281 bringing the year-to-date total to
55,846. The Ford Excursion posted December sales of 4,804 and year-to-date
sales of 18,315. Both Ford products debuted in the fall of 1999.
In December, passenger car sales climbed 18 percent, while truck sales
declined five percent. The truck sales decline was concentrated in Ford
Ranger, Expedition, and Explorer -- each of these products posted record
December sales last year.
"In 1999, most of our new products were passenger cars," noted Rewey.
"Consumer response to the all-new Ford Focus, Lincoln LS, Jaguar S-TYPE, and
Volvo S40/V40, as well as the redesigned Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable, has
been outstanding. In 2000, the emphasis is on new pickups and sport utility
vehicles, which will be on display at the North American International Auto
Show next week. We're looking forward to another great year."
FORD MOTOR COMPANY DECEMBER U.S. SALES
December Month DSR % December CYTD DSR %
1999 1998 Change 1999 1998 Change
Car and Truck Sales By Brand
Ford 268,799 269,561 -0.3% 3,425,086 3,302,794 3.7%
Mercury 31,353 34,528 -9.2 438,000 410,186 6.8
Lincoln 16,497 16,856 -2.1 176,493 187,121 -5.7
Jaguar 4,946 2,472 100.1 35,039 22,503 55.7
Volvo 12,162 8,546 42.3 116,692 101,172 15.3
Total Ford Motor
Company 333,757 323,417 3.2% 4,163,369 3,922,604 6.1%
Memo: Cars and Trucks
Cars 140,842 119,765 17.6% 1,705,167 1,559,190 9.4%
Trucks 192,915 203,652 -5.3 2,458,202 2,363,414 4.0
Total Ford Motor
Company 333,757 323,417 3.2% 4,163,369 3,922,604 6.1%
Memo: Selling
Days 26 26 307 307
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 DECEMBER U.S. SALES
December Month DSR % December CYTD DSR %
1999 1998 Change 1999 1998 Change
Crown Victoria 6,885 7,317 -5.9% 114,669 111,531 2.8%
Taurus 29,503 28,624 3.1 368,327 371,074 -0.7
Contour 13,987 9,456 47.9 134,487 139,838 -3.8
Focus 20,281 NA NA 55,846 NA NA
Escort 5,121 18,492 -72.3 260,486 291,936 -10.8
Mustang 10,734 13,696 -21.6 166,915 144,732 15.3
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 86,511 77,585 11.5% 1,100,730 1,069,329 2.9%
Expedition 19,600 22,291 -12.1% 233,125 225,703 3.3%
Explorer 37,136 41,028 -9.5 428,772 431,488 -0.6
Excursion 4,804 NA NA 18,315 NA NA
Econoline/Club
Wagon 15,476 15,434 0.3 202,024 206,026 -1.9
Aerostar NA NA NA NA 1,060 NA
Windstar 15,642 17,481 -10.5 213,844 190,173 12.4
Ranger 19,417 26,063 -25.5 348,358 328,136 6.2
F-Series 69,338 69,024 0.5 869,001 836,629 3.9
Heavy Trucks 875 655 33.6 10,917 14,250 -23.4
TOTAL FORD TRUCKS 182,288 191,976 -5.0% 2,324,356 2,233,465 4.1%
TOTAL FORD BRAND 268,799 269,561 -0.3% 3,425,086 3,302,794 3.7%
LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND DECEMBER U.S. SALES
December Month DSR % December CYTD DSR %
1999 1998 Change 1999 1998 Change
Grand Marquis 9,742 9,652 0.9% 122,776 114,162 7.5%
Cougar (FWD) 2,661 4,048 -34.3 56,831 35,465 60.2
Sable 7,520 8,382 -10.3 101,120 100,367 0.8
Mystique 3,549 3,048 16.4 39,531 38,274 3.3
Tracer 1,006 2,092 -51.9 23,146 33,077 -30.0
Cougar (RWD) NA NA NA NA 2,751 NA
TOTAL MERCURY CARS 24,478 27,222 -10.1% 343,404 324,096 6.0%
Town Car 7,059 8,848 -20.2 84,629 97,547 -13.2
Continental 1,980 3,638 -45.6 26,246 35,210 -25.5
LS 3,706 NA NA 26,368 NA NA
Mark VIII NA NA NA NA 10,505 NA
TOTAL LINCOLN CARS 12,745 12,486 2.1% 137,243 143,262 -4.2%
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN CARS 37,223 39,708 -6.3% 480,647 467,358 2.8%
Villager 2,342 3,250 -27.9% 45,315 38,495 17.7%
Mountaineer 4,533 4,056 11.8 49,281 47,595 3.5
TOTAL MERCURY
TRUCKS 6,875 7,306 -5.9% 94,596 86,090 9.9%
Navigator 3,752 4,370 -14.1 39,250 43,859 -10.5
TOTAL MERCURY AND
LINCOLN TRUCKS 10,627 11,676 -9.0% 133,846 129,949 3.0%
TOTAL MERCURY AND
LINCOLN VEHICLES 47,850 51,384 -6.9% 614,493 597,307 2.9%
Memo: Total Lincoln
Brand 16,497 16,856 -2.1% 176,493 187,121 -5.7%
Total Mercury
Brand 31,353 34,528 -9.2 438,000 410,186 6.8
JAGUAR CARS DECEMBER U.S. SALES
December Month DSR % December CYTD DSR %
1999 1998 Change 1999 1998 Change
XJ8 557 748 -25.5% 5,592 7,073 -20.9%
XJ8 L 180 357 -49.6 1,774 3,118 -43.1
Vanden Plas 455 488 -6.8 4,438 4,789 -7.3
XJR 138 215 -35.8 1,540 1,662 -7.3
S-TYPE 2,878 NA NA 15,541 NA NA
XK8 - Coupe 46 86 -46.5 439 677 -35.2
XK8 - Convertible 477 578 -17.5 5,237 5,184 1.0
XKR - Coupe 32 NA NA 86 NA NA
XKR - Convertible 183 NA NA 392 NA NA
TOTAL JAGUAR CARS 4,946 2,472 100.1% 35,039 22,503 55.7%
VOLVO CARS DECEMBER U.S. SALES
December Month DSR % December CYTD DSR %
1999 1998 Change 1999 1998 Change
S40 2,416 NA NA% 8,231 2 NA%
V40 1,900 NA NA 3,757 NA NA
S70 2,245 3,128 -28.2 33,554 47,840 -29.9
V70 2,595 2,934 -11.6 31,066 37,005 -16.0
C70 548 233 135.2 6,503 2,421 168.6
S80 2,458 2,238 9.8 33,549 6,072 NA
S90/V90 0 13 NA 32 7,832 NA
TOTAL VOLVO CARS 12,162 8,546 42.3% 116,692 101,172 15.3%