Ford Motor Company Sets All-Time Monthly U.S. Sales Record
4 April 2000
Ford Motor Company Sets All-Time Monthly U.S. Sales Record; First Quarter Record Also Falls
New Ford F-Series and Explorer Models Debut and Help Set Monthly Sales
Records; Ford Focus Sales Soar; Premier Brands Continue Strong Growth
DEARBORN, Mich., April 3 U.S. consumers purchased or
leased a record 441,701 cars and trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar,
and Volvo dealers in March -- the highest sales total for any month in the
company's history. The previous monthly sales record (424,091) was set June
1978. The previous March record (399,908) was set last year. In the process,
March capped a record-breaking first quarter sales performance. The company's
first quarter U.S. sales were 1,077,250, breaking the record of 1,005,371 set
1973.
The company's record-breaking March sales were highlighted by:
* Ford Division - Best sales month ever for America's favorite brand of
cars and trucks
* Ford F-Series - Best sales month ever for America's best-selling pickup
* Ford Explorer - Best sales month ever for America's top-selling SUV
* Ford Focus - Best sales month ever for the North American Car of the
Year
* Lincoln - Best sales month since December 1990; March sales up
38 percent
* Lincoln LS - Best sales month ever for Motor Trend magazine's Car of the
Year
* Jaguar - Record March sales; March sales up 141 percent
* Volvo - Best U.S. sales month ever; March sales up 10 percent
"The U.S. economy, innovative products, and confident consumers are the
major factors driving these record-breaking results," said Bob Rewey, Ford's
Group Vice President, Global Consumer Services and North America. "U.S.
consumers are confirming that this is a great time to buy a new car or truck."
March Sales By Brand
Ford, America's top-selling brand of cars and trucks for 13 years in row,
posted an all-time monthly sales record of 364,613. The previous record
(350,035) was set June 1998. The previous March record (340,957) was set last
year. Ford highlights, and the new products that helped achieve record sales
results, included:
* Ford F-Series - All-time monthly sales record of 90,522. The previous
record (90,370) was set June 1978. The previous March record (86,491)
also was set 1978. New product: F-150 SuperCrew, industry's first
light-duty, full-size pickup with four standard doors.
* Ford Explorer - Celebrated its 10th anniversary with all-time monthly
sales record of 46,684. The previous record (41,667) was set October
1998. The previous March record (40,019) was set last year. New
Products: Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac, industry's first SUV
with pickup bed. Since its introduction on March 15, 1990, over 3.4
million U.S. customers have purchased or leased a Ford Explorer.
* Ford Focus - The only car ever to be named Car of the Year on the
European and North American continents achieved record U.S. sales of
28,254. The previous record (23,820) was set February 2000. New
Product: All-new small car (four-door sedan and station wagon and
three-door hatchback models).
* Ford Taurus - Record March sales of 41,335. Previous March record
(39,445) was set 1988. New Product: Taurus redesigned for 2000 model
year.
* Ford Windstar - All-time monthly sales record of 30,264. Previous
record (28,058) was set March 1995. New Product: Windstar redesigned
for 1999 model year with highest government safety rating for any
minivan.
Lincoln sales eclipsed 20,000 for the first time since December 1990
bolstered by the addition of the all-new Lincoln LS which posted record
monthly sales of 5,219. Lincoln Navigator posted record March sales of 3,769.
In March, Lincoln sales were 20,604, up 38 percent from a year ago. Year-to-
date, Lincoln sales are up 33 percent.
Jaguar achieved a March sales record of 4,041, up 141 percent from a year
ago. It was the 11th month in a row of record sales. The all-new Jaguar S-
TYPE and XKR coupe and convertible are driving Jaguar toward a new calendar
year sales record.
Volvo posted its best U.S. sales month ever as sales increased for the
14th month in a row. Volvo's March sales were 12,929, up 10 percent compared
with a year ago. The all-new S40/V40 compact sedan and wagon has been a major
contributor to Volvo's record-setting performance. The all-new V70 station
wagon is beginning to arrive in Volvo dealer showrooms.
Mercury posted March sales of 39,514, including record March sales for the
redesigned 2000 Mercury Sable (up 27 percent compared with a year ago).
Mercury Grand Marquis had its best sales month since August 1989 and its best
March sales since 1984.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY MARCH 2000 U.S. SALES
March Month DSR % March CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
Car and Truck Sales By Brand
Ford 364,613 340,957 6.9% 884,319 835,710 4.4%
Mercury 39,514 42,340 -6.7 99,713 103,835 -5.2
Lincoln 20,604 14,936 37.9 50,001 36,985 33.4
Jaguar 4,041 1,675 141.3 10,626 4,132 153.8
Volvo 12,929 11,768 9.9 32,591 27,941 15.1
Total Ford Motor
Company 441,701 399,908 10.5% 1,077,250 980,662 8.4%
Memo: Cars and Trucks
Cars 179,418 150,096 19.5% 440,997 366,431 18.8%
Trucks 262,283 249,812 5.0 636,253 614,231 2.2
Total Ford Motor
Company 441,701 399,908 10.5% 1,077,250 980,662 8.4%
Memo: Selling
Days 27 27 77 76
Note: Ford acquired Volvo Cars on March 31, 1999. Accordingly, Ford Motor
Company's March 1999 (month and year-to-date) sales totals exclude Volvo.
FORD BRAND MARCH 2000 U.S. SALES
March Month DSR % March CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
Crown
Victoria 10,082 11,705 -13.9% 23,035 28,610 -20.5%
Taurus 41,335 35,069 17.9 92,947 81,932 12.0
Contour 3,358 12,781 -73.7 24,252 31,870 -24.9
Focus 28,254 NA NA 71,092 NA NA
Escort 12,891 28,016 -54.0 25,582 70,828 -64.4
Mustang 17,661 16,570 6.6 40,992 41,461 -2.4
TOTAL FORD
CARS 113,581 104,141 9.1% 277,900 254,701 7.7%
Expedition 18,534 20,704 -10.5% 50,217 54,473 -9.0%
Explorer 46,684 40,019 16.7 115,031 102,349 10.9
Excursion 4,202 NA NA 12,064 NA NA
Econoline/
Club Wagon 16,561 19,650 -15.7 44,829 45,279 -2.3
Windstar 30,264 24,472 23.7 64,168 56,970 11.2
Ranger 43,026 45,391 -5.2 95,504 105,902 -11.0
F-Series 90,522 85,686 5.6 221,770 213,910 2.3
Heavy Trucks 1,239 894 38.6 2,836 2,126 31.7
TOTAL FORD
TRUCKS 251,032 236,816 6.0% 606,419 581,009 3.0%
TOTAL FORD
BRAND 364,613 340,957 6.9% 884,319 835,710 4.4%
LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND MARCH 2000 U.S. SALES
March Month DSR % March CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
Grand
Marquis 13,944 11,993 16.3% 33,365 28,864 14.1%
Sable 12,204 9,629 26.7 27,681 22,623 20.8
Cougar 4,383 6,112 -28.3 9,876 14,672 -33.6
Mystique 1,501 3,050 -50.8 8,941 8,257 6.9
Tracer 0 1,976 -100.0 0 6,044 -100.0
TOTAL MERCURY
CARS 32,032 32,760 -2.2% 79,863 80,460 -2.0%
Town Car 9,087 8,736 4.0 21,611 21,197 0.6
Continental 2,529 2,784 -9.2 5,854 5,941 -2.7
LS 5,219 NA NA 12,552 NA NA
TOTAL LINCOLN
CARS 16,835 11,520 46.1% 40,017 27,138 45.5%
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
CARS 48,867 44,280 10.4% 119,880 107,598 10.0%
Villager 3,173 5,581 -43.1% 7,367 12,287 -40.8%
Mountaineer 4,309 3,999 7.8 12,483 11,088 11.1
TOTAL MERCURY
TRUCKS 7,482 9,580 -21.9% 19,850 23,375 -16.2%
Navigator 3,769 3,416 10.3 9,984 9,847 0.1
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
TRUCKS 11,251 12,996 -13.4% 29,834 33,222 -11.4%
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
VEHICLES 60,118 57,276 5.0% 149,714 140,820 4.9%
Memo:
Total Lincoln
Brand 20,604 14,936 37.9% 50,001 36,985 33.4%
Total Mercury
Brand 39,514 42,340 -6.7 99,713 103,835 -5.2
JAGUAR CARS MARCH 2000 U.S. SALES
March Month DSR % March CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
XJ8 446 562 -20.6% 1,161 1,296 -11.6%
XJ8 L 126 182 -30.8 322 480 -33.8
Vanden Plas 346 316 9.5 868 813 5.4
XJR 120 137 -12.4 292 414 -30.4
S-TYPE 2,347 NA NA 6,310 NA NA
XK8 - Coupe 67 49 36.7 167 136 21.2
XK8 -
Convertible 476 429 11.0 1,165 993 15.8
XKR - Coupe 39 NA NA 72 NA NA
XKR -
Convertible 74 NA NA 269 NA NA
TOTAL JAGUAR
CARS 4,041 1,675 141.3% 10,626 4,132 153.8%
VOLVO CARS MARCH 2000 U.S. SALES
March Month DSR % March CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
S40 2,797 NA NA% 7,365 NA NA%
V40 518 NA NA 1,341 1 NA
S70 2,831 4,252 -33.4 6,838 10,046 -32.8
V70 2,794 3,577 -21.9 7,248 8,461 -15.4
C70 767 600 27.8 1,505 1,130 31.5
S80 3,221 3,334 -3.4 8,293 8,289 -1.3
S90/V90 1 5 NA 1 14 NA
TOTAL VOLVO
CARS 12,929 11,768 9.9% 32,591 27,941 15.1%