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First time since 1931 that Ford wasn’t second behind General Motors Corp (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22488803/)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2007_Ford_Grille_and_Logo.jpgMSNBC – Jan 3, 2008

DETROIT - Toyota Motor Corp. overtook Ford Motor Co. to become the No. 2 automaker by U.S. sales in 2007, using new products and relentless strategy to break Ford’s 75-year lock on the position.

Toyota sold 48,226 more cars and trucks than Ford, according to sales figures released Thursday. Toyota’s sales were up 3 percent for the year, buoyed by new products like the Toyota Tundra pickup, which saw sales jump 57 percent.

Ford’s sales fell 12 percent, ending with a whimper a year that is expected to be the worst for the auto industry in a decade.

Ford corporate historian Bob Kreipke said it was the first time since 1931 that Ford wasn’t second behind General Motors Corp.

Automakers were reporting generally gloomy U.S. sales for December Thursday, capping a year that is expected to be the worst for the auto industry since 1998, as consumers fretted over high gas prices and the economy… http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22488803/

If they would wake up and bring the euro cars over, they probably could have been #1 ahead of GM.

and if the big 3 would produce cars on par with foriegn automakers there would be no competition. The distinct lack of any high FE cars means they will continue to lose ground. I wont be surprised if this year toyota is #1

Hi All:

___I still have to finish the write-up after I get home from the doc but this is an early addition …
Prius gas-electric hybrid mid-size sedan reported sales of 14,212 units for a best-ever December and best-ever year-end sales of 181,221 units, up 68.9 percent over 2006.
___I do not know if the Prius cracked the top 10 for the year but will hopefully find that out by this evening?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I wish that Ford hadn't backed out of their .hybrid promise". That was a stupid move that cost the compny both money and credibility.

Ford also got bumped out of 2nd in Canada, but by Chrysler :confused: Toyota was in 4th, behind Ford. Toyota sold almost twice as many hybrids in 2007 compared to 2006.
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2008/01/03/cancarsales.html

Maybe Ford wouldn't be slipping if they brought us the Euro focus with either a diesel or a scaled down version of the FEH power plant. Americans' brand loyalty being what it is, I bet it would outsell the Prius.

Hi WriConsult:

___I was going to post a story on Ford’s common stock reaching a 20 year low today with the comment that this will force them to seriously consider abandoning the gas-guzzling losers and give us something we desperately need. That being anything from their portfolio of European diesels with US compliant after treatment systems. The new Verve/Fiesta would be a prime candidate for a Prius/HCH/Jetta TDI topping FE w/ high quality and great safety. The upcoming Focus with the 1.8, Fusion with the 2.0 … and so on. The only thing Ford has left in their future is bankruptcy unless they seriously change their product mix with some seriously game changing fuel efficient vehicles.

___Look at the BMW 335d or MB just announced Freeside. The 335d in particular will kill everything in Ford’s US inventory in terms of FE and would walk away from everything in terms of performance on top of that!

___I mentioned safety of the Verve/Fiesta because the Mazda2 which is the platform that both of these vehicles are/will be based off of just received a 5-Star NACP the other day. That is higher than the Civic and equivalent to the Prius in Europe yet in a vehicle that weighs hundreds of pounds less. Imagine the 1.6L CDTi in that **** thing here in the US :rolleyes:

___Oh well, I can dream while Ford, GM and Chrysler burn :ccry:

___If gasoline prices cannot scare the big 3 into making fuel efficient vehicles, then their future is going to get ugly :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

What was the difference-maker in Toyota surpassing Ford?

Answer here (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/01/toyota_one.html)