Ford's products are delivering the goods... and services... and now profits.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Mar. 2, 2010
Ford’s 2011 Super Duty is not even out yet and will only improve Ford’s future sales figures and bottom line.
Ford released a tsunami of its own today when it announced a whopping increase in February 2010 sales vs. February of 2009.
Higher sales for every brand and in every product category propelled Ford to a 43 percent sales increase in February versus a year ago. Compared with January, Ford’s February sales are up an incredible 22 percent.
“The strength of our new products and Ford’s leadership in quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value are resonating with customers,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing Sales and Service. “The good news is we have even more new products and fuel-efficient powertrains coming this year, and we expect our progress to continue.”
February sales were higher throughout Ford’s line-up. Cars were up 54 percent versus a year ago, utilities were up 39 percent, and trucks were up 36 percent. Among brands, Ford sales were up 46 percent, Lincoln sales were up 19 percent, and Mercury sales were up 24 percent.
Year to date through February, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 250,050, up 34 percent versus a year ago.
Ford said it remains committed to delivering the freshest line-up of new products in the U.S. industry. New or significantly upgraded vehicles this year include the Ford Fiesta, Focus, Edge and Edge Sport, Explorer, F-Series Super Duty, Transit Connect Electric, Lincoln MKX and an all-new small car for Mercury.
In addition, the company is introducing nine new or upgraded fuel-efficient engines and six new transmissions this year. They include the new 2.0L EcoBoost engine, new Mustang V-6 and V-8, new Super Duty 6.7-liter diesel and 6.2-liter gasoline engines.
“This is the most ambitious powertrain upgrade ever undertaken by Ford,” said Czubay. “Our goal is to provide our customers with industry-leading fuel economy and performance – and more reasons to shop Ford and buy Ford.”
Ford estimates its February U.S. total market share was approximately 17 percent – up 3 percentage points versus a year ago.
In February, Ford sales to retail customers were 28 percent higher versus a year ago, and sales to fleet customers were up 74 percent.
Additional Sales Highlights- February sales of the Ford Fusion, Motor Trend’s Car of the Year, were more than double year-ago levels (up 116 percent). Fusion set a new February sales record – its 10th monthly sales record in 11 months. The Fusion Hybrid recently was named North American Car of the Year.
- Mercury Milan sales were higher than a year ago for the fourth month in a row.
- February sales of Ford Mustang and Focus and Lincoln MKZ also were higher.
- Ford Taurus sales totaled 6,359, up 93 percent versus a year ago. Since the introduction of the all-new model in August, Taurus sales are nearly double year-ago levels. The average conquest rate for Taurus is 46 percent nationwide and 76 percent on the West Coast.
- Ford’s F-Series – America’s best-selling truck for 33 years in a row and best-selling vehicle (car or truck) for 28 years in row – posted a 39 percent increase in February. In 2009, F-Series increased its leadership position among full-size pickups with a 4 percentage-point gain in segment share, and the F-Series continues to gain share in 2010 with a 6-point gain in January.
- Production of the all-new F-Series Super Duty has begun at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant.
- Utility vehicles also posted strong sales increases. In February, Escape sales were up 50 percent versus a year ago, Edge sales were up 67 percent, Flex sales were up 19 percent, and Mercury Mariner sales were up 39 percent. Sales for traditional SUVs (Explorer, Expedition and Navigator) also were higher than a year ago.
- Sales for Ford’s E-Series van (Econoline/Club Wagon) were up 26 percent versus a year ago. E-Series has been America’s best-selling full-size van for 31 years.
- Sales of the new Transit Connect – a small commercial van introduced in mid-2009 – totaled 1,338 in February. Ford’s share of the commercial van segment is more than 60 percent. Production of a battery-electric Transit Connect begins later this year.
Ford is not just firing on all 8-cylinders, its firing on all-8 plus a number of electric motors powering the juggernaut forward as well!
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