Ford Motor Company Sets First Half U.S. Sales Record
3 July 2000
June Sales Slip 2.6% From Strong Year Ago Levels
DEARBORN, Mich. - U.S. consumers purchased or leased 419,932 cars and trucks
from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, and Volvo dealers in the month of June,
down 2.6 percent from a year ago. Last June, Ford Motor Company posted its best
sales month in history (431,033) -- since eclipsed by record sales of 441,701 in
March 2000.
In the first six months of 2000, Ford Motor Company's U.S. sales were a
record 2,286,561, up 5.5 percent from the same period a year ago. The
previous first half sales record (2,159,703) was set in 1978.
Despite the sales decline in June, Bob Rewey, Ford's Group Vice President,
Global Consumer Services and North America, indicated that he was pleased with
the overall result: "June was one of our best sales months in history," he
noted. "It just happened to be up against an even stronger month. We're
encouraged that we got close to setting another record in a more difficult
economic and competitive environment."
"We're looking forward to the second half of the year," Rewey continued.
"Overall, our inventories are in good shape with about 45 days' supply of cars
and 60 days' supply for trucks. Consumer response to our new products has
been outstanding, and there are more new products just around the corner. The
all-new Ford Escape, a vehicle that seems perfectly timed and perfectly
positioned, and other new products will help keep our momentum strong in the
coming months. We definitely have our sights set on a new sales record in
2000."
June 12 marked the start of production for the Ford Escape at the Kansas
City Assembly Plant. Based on an all-new platform, the Ford Escape combines
unibody construction with a number of segment leading features, including
best-in-class interior room. Pricing for the 2001 Ford Escape starts at
$18,160 for the front-wheel-drive XLS with a four-cylinder engine and a five-
speed transmission. The XLT, with optional V-6 engine and Ford's new Control
Trac II four-wheel drive, is priced at $21,335.
June Sales Highlights
* Ford Motor Company total sales of 419,932 was the fourth highest sales
month in the company's 97-year history.
* Ford Division, America's best selling brand of cars and trucks,
achieved total sales of 347,313, including record truck sales of 231,171.
Ford dealers reported record sales for Ford Taurus (43,365), Ford Explorer
(41,800), and Ford Expedition (21,361). The Ford F-Series pickup remained
America's best-selling vehicle with sales of 84,625, up four percent from a
year ago. The Ford Focus, North American Car of the Year, had June sales of
27,684.
* The Lincoln LS, Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year, began its
second year on sale with record June sales of 4,533.
* Jaguar achieved a sales record for the 14th month in a row as Jaguar
dealers delivered 3,806 cars to U.S. customers.
* Volvo set an any-month U.S. sales record of 13,209. It was the 17th
month in a row that Volvo dealers reported a sales increase. The all-new V70
station wagon is now available and the V70XC will debut in about a month.
Outlook for U.S. Auto Sales
Commenting on the outlook for auto sales, Rewey stated: "As expected,
consumer demand for autos is moderating in response to higher interest rates.
Still, consumer confidence remains high and that bodes well for healthy auto
sales. We're not the least bit discouraged by seasonally adjusted annual
sales rates in the 17 million range. It wasn't so long ago that 17 million
was considered untouchable."
As far as fuel prices are concerned, Rewey indicated that demand for sport
utility vehicles remains strong. "So far, we haven't detected any substantial
shift away from this segment -- even in the Midwest where fuel prices are
highest," he observed. "We're continuing to keep our eye on the consumer
because we believe the issue of permanence is critical. Current prices in the
Midwest probably are high enough to make a difference if they persist. Right
now, consumers have concluded this is probably a temporary situation."
FORD MOTOR COMPANY JUNE 2000 U.S. SALES
June Month DSR % June CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
Car and Truck Sales By Brand
Ford 347,313 348,421 -0.3% 1,888,743 1,794,516 4.6%
Mercury 38,474 48,467 -20.6 207,142 233,821 -12.0
Lincoln 17,130 19,146 -10.5 101,024 81,131 23.7
Jaguar 3,806 3,640 4.6 22,468 13,090 70.5
Volvo 13,209 11,359 16.3 67,184 57,929 15.2
Total Ford Motor
Company 419,932 431,033 -2.6% 2,286,561 2,152,546 5.5%
Memo: Cars and Trucks
Cars 177,031 187,294 -5.5% 947,540 863,616 9.0%
Trucks 242,901 243,739 -0.3 1,339,021 1,288,930 3.2
Total Ford Motor
Company 419,932 431,033 -2.6% 2,286,561 2,152,546 5.5%
Memo: Selling
Days 26 26 154 153
Note: Ford Motor Company acquired Volvo Cars on March 31, 1999.
Accordingly, Ford's 1999 year-to-date sales exclude Volvo prior to April 1.
FORD BRAND JUNE 2000 U.S. SALES
June Month DSR % June CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
Crown
Victoria 10,640 12,234 -13.0% 53,442 63,129 -15.9%
Taurus 43,365 43,356 0.0 216,446 189,057 13.7
Contour 2,302 14,075 -83.6 32,725 72,139 -54.9
Focus 27,684 NA NA 149,568 NA NA
Escort 12,233 30,177 -59.5 61,136 151,562 -59.9
Mustang 19,918 17,648 12.9 98,251 96,113 1.6
TOTAL FORD
CARS 116,142 117,490 -1.1% 611,568 572,000 6.2%
Expedition 21,361 19,251 11.0% 107,477 112,452 -5.0%
Explorer 41,800 39,233 6.5 237,197 206,425 14.2
Excursion 4,406 NA NA 24,543 NA NA
Econoline/Club
Wagon 19,933 24,169 -17.5 99,948 107,145 -7.3
Windstar 25,693 27,092 -5.2 137,653 124,776 9.6
Ranger 32,116 38,449 -16.5 191,637 216,076 -11.9
F-Series 84,625 81,275 4.1 472,349 449,951 4.3
Heavy Trucks 1,237 1,462 -15.4 6,371 5,691 11.2
TOTAL FORD
TRUCKS 231,171 230,931 0.1% 1,277,175 1,222,516 3.8%
TOTAL FORD
BRAND 347,313 348,421 -0.3% 1,888,743 1,794,516 4.6%
LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND JUNE 2000 U.S. SALES
June Month DSR % June CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
Grand Marquis 13,940 11,527 20.9% 70,539 61,578 13.8%
Sable 10,738 12,575 -14.6 59,131 55,085 6.6
Cougar 4,128 5,943 -30.5 22,278 32,593 -32.1
Mystique 1,189 4,683 -74.6 13,399 21,612 -38.4
Tracer 0 3,657 -100.0 0 14,785 -100.0
TOTAL MERCURY
CARS 29,995 38,385 -21.9% 165,347 185,653 -11.5%
Town Car 7,078 9,075 -22.0 42,929 44,676 -4.5
Continental 2,268 3,147 -27.9 11,966 13,599 -12.6
LS 4,533 4,198 8.0 26,078 4,610 462.0
TOTAL LINCOLN
CARS 13,879 16,420 -15.5% 80,973 62,885 27.9%
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
CARS 43,874 54,805 -19.9% 246,320 248,538 -1.5%
Villager 3,937 4,447 -11.5% 17,755 24,376 -27.6%
Mountaineer 4,542 5,635 -19.4 24,040 23,792 0.4
TOTAL MERCURY
TRUCKS 8,479 10,082 -15.9% 41,795 48,168 -13.8%
Navigator 3,251 2,726 19.3 20,051 18,246 9.2
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
TRUCKS 11,730 12,808 -8.4% 61,846 66,414 -7.5%
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
VEHICLES 55,604 67,613 -17.8% 308,166 314,952 -2.8%
Memo:
Total
Lincoln
Brand 17,130 19,146 -10.5% 101,024 81,131 23.7%
Total
Mercury
Brand 38,474 48,467 -20.6 207,142 233,821 -12.0
JAGUAR CARS JUNE 2000 U.S. SALES
June Month DSR % June CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
XJ8 501 524 -4.4% 2,618 3,005 -13.4%
XJ8 L 99 140 -29.3 628 931 -33.0
Vanden Plas 263 348 -24.4 1,802 1,850 -3.2
XJR 100 123 -18.7 645 811 -21.0
S-TYPE 2,271 2,054 10.6 13,288 3,844 243.4
XK8 - Coupe 47 29 62.1 341 249 36.1
XK8 -
Convertible 387 422 -8.3 2,409 2,400 -0.3
XKR - Coupe 26 NA NA 137 NA NA
XKR -
Convertible 112 NA NA 600 NA NA
TOTAL JAGUAR
CARS 3,806 3,640 4.6% 22,468 13,090 70.5%
VOLVO CARS JUNE 2000 U.S. SALES
June Month DSR % June CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
S40 3,202 NA NA% 15,411 NA NA%
V40 676 NA NA 3,171 1 NA
S70 2,457 3,813 -35.6 13,968 20,205 -31.3
V70 3,080 3,534 -12.8 15,174 17,134 -12.0
C70 577 867 -33.4 3,054 3,469 -12.5
S80 3,214 3,145 2.2 16,402 17,100 -4.7
S90/V90 3 NA NA 4 20 NA
TOTAL VOLVO
CARS 13,209 11,359 16.3% 67,184 57,929 15.2%