Ford Motor Company Reports March U.S. Sales
* Ford's O'Connor: "We're encouraged by our market share gain in 2003, and we intend to keep the momentum going." * Land Rover sets new March sales record; Volvo sales up 26 percent
DEARBORN, Mich., April 1 -- U.S. customers purchased or leased 302,463 cars and trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, Volvo, and Land Rover dealers in March, down 7.9 percent compared with a year ago.
In the first quarter, the company's sales were 813,214, down 2 percent compared with a year ago.
"We're encouraged by our market share gain in 2003," said Jim O'Connor, Ford Group Vice President, North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "In the first quarter, we achieved one of the largest share increases among all manufacturers and we intend to keep the momentum going. All along we have said our momentum would be product-led. We have great products in the showroom today and even better products on the way."
Ford brand sales in March were 254,765, down 6.6 percent compared with a year ago. Ford dealers reported higher sales for the Ford Focus (up 13 percent) and Ford Escape (up 12 percent). Sales for America's best-selling vehicle, the Ford F-Series truck, were 14 percent lower than a year ago and sales for the Windstar minivan were 25 percent lower than a year ago. Later this year, Ford will introduce the all-new F-150 truck and Freestar minivan. On a year-to-date basis, Ford sales were about equal to a year ago (down 1 percent).
Sales for Lincoln were 11 percent lower than a year ago, primarily reflecting lower sales for the LS sedan and discontinued Continental. The national advertising campaign for the redesigned mid-size LS sedan began on Friday, March 28. Lincoln dealers reported higher sales of sport utility vehicles (Aviator and Navigator).
Mercury sales were 28 percent lower than a year ago, primarily reflecting lower fleet deliveries for the Sable sedan and the discontinuation of the Cougar coupe and Villager minivan. Sales for the Grand Marquis were higher than a year ago. Later this year, Mercury will introduce the all-new Mercury Monterey minivan.
Volvo dealers reported near-record March sales of 12,225, up 26 percent compared with a year ago. Volvo's all-new sport utility vehicle, the XC90, achieved its best sales month so far (3,366). Volvo sales have increased five months in a row.
Land Rover dealers reported record March sales of 2,814, up 1.5 percent compared with a year ago. Sales for the all-new Range Rover more than doubled compared with a year ago.
Jaguar sales were 3,601, down 42 percent from last year's record sales reflecting lower sales for the X-TYPE. The all-new XJ sedan will debut at Jaguar dealers in June.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY MARCH 2003 U.S. SALES
March Month % March CYTD %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
Sales By Brand
Ford 254,765 272,858 -6.6 682,317 689,345 -1.0
Mercury 15,992 22,162 -27.8 47,746 55,284 -13.6
Lincoln 13,066 14,692 -11.1 33,761 33,922 -0.5
Jaguar 3,601 6,169 -41.6 10,857 16,389 -33.8
Volvo 12,225 9,732 25.6 30,168 25,953 16.2
Land Rover 2,814 2,772 1.5 8,365 8,879 -5.8
Total Ford Motor
Company 302,463 328,385 -7.9 813,214 829,772 -2.0
Memo: Cars and Trucks
Cars 115,321 125,736 -8.3 299,028 304,466 -1.8
Trucks 187,142 202,649 -7.7 514,186 525,306 -2.1
Total Ford Motor
Company 302,463 328,385 -7.9 813,214 829,772 -2.0
Information Only (Not
Included Above)
TH!NK Neighbor 18 174 NA 978 174 NA
FORD BRAND MARCH 2003 U.S. SALES
March Month % March CYTD %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
Crown Victoria 8,026 8,321 -3.5 19,685 21,349 -7.8
Taurus 33,156 32,171 3.1 86,574 74,083 16.9
Focus 24,522 21,681 13.1 59,843 51,448 16.3
Thunderbird 1,731 1,773 -2.4 4,065 5,217 -22.1
Mustang 13,573 12,844 5.7 31,265 31,814 -1.7
Escort 2,736 6,147 -55.5 7,205 15,304 -52.9
Total Ford Cars 83,744 82,937 1.0 208,637 199,215 4.7
Escape 13,129 11,752 11.7 36,058 29,964 20.3
Explorer 29,991 32,663 -8.2 81,590 89,937 -9.3
Expedition 13,032 13,370 -2.5 35,648 36,571 -2.5
Excursion 1,595 3,039 -47.5 5,367 8,025 -33.1
Econoline/Club Wagon 15,362 14,268 7.7 39,144 35,655 9.8
Windstar 10,372 13,843 -25.1 35,244 35,673 -1.2
Ranger 19,480 21,364 -8.8 55,832 54,788 1.9
F-Series 67,697 78,977 -14.3 183,544 197,770 -7.2
Heavy Trucks 363 645 -43.7 1,253 1,747 -28.3
Total Ford Trucks 171,021 189,921 -10.0 473,680 490,130 -3.4
Total Ford Brand 254,765 272,858 -6.6 682,317 689,345 -1.0
LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND MARCH 2003 U.S. SALES
March Month % March CYTD %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
Grand Marquis 7,782 7,170 8.5 20,228 17,638 14.7
Sable 4,458 8,581 -48.0 15,708 19,912 -21.1
Cougar 498 1,353 -63.2 2,024 3,259 -37.9
Total Mercury Cars 12,738 17,104 -25.5 37,960 40,809 -7.0
Town Car 5,331 5,911 -9.8 13,301 13,794 -3.6
LS 2,628 4,215 -37.7 7,950 9,374 -15.2
Continental 0 1,332 -100.0 280 3,484 -92.0
Total Lincoln Cars 7,959 11,458 -30.5 21,531 26,652 -19.2
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Cars 20,697 28,562 -27.5 59,491 67,461 -11.8
Mountaineer 3,254 3,586 -9.3 9,786 10,951 -10.6
Villager 0 1,472 -100.0 0 3,524 -100.0
Total Mercury Trucks 3,254 5,058 -35.7 9,786 14,475 -32.4
Navigator 2,862 3,064 -6.6 7,144 6,858 4.2
Aviator 2,245 NA NA 4,933 NA NA
Blackwood 0 170 -100.0 153 412 -62.9
Total Lincoln Trucks 5,107 3,234 57.9 12,230 7,270 68.2
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Trucks 8,361 8,292 0.8 22,016 21,745 1.2
Total Mercury
and Lincoln
Vehicles 29,058 36,854 -21.2 81,507 89,206 -8.6
Total Lincoln Brand 13,066 14,692 -11.1 33,761 33,922 -0.5
Total Mercury Brand 15,992 22,162 -27.8 47,746 55,284 -13.6
JAGUAR BRAND MARCH 2003 U.S. SALES
March Month % March CYTD %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
XJ 342 791 -56.8 1,069 1,842 -42.0
S-TYPE 1,089 1,191 -8.6 3,475 3,570 -2.7
X-TYPE 1,965 3,780 -48.0 5,640 10,126 -44.3
XK 205 407 -49.6 673 851 -20.9
Total Jaguar 3,601 6,169 -41.6 10,857 16,389 -33.8
VOLVO BRAND MARCH 2003 U.S. SALES
March Month % March CYTD %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
S40 1,394 1,248 11.7 3,804 3,294 15.5
V40 351 225 56.0 857 626 36.9
S60 2,747 3,771 -27.2 8,403 9,820 -14.4
S70 0 0 NA 0 0 NA
V70 1,117 952 17.3 2,703 2,795 -3.3
V70 XC 1,580 1,664 -5.0 4,032 4,552 -11.4
C70 358 370 -3.2 876 805 8.8
XC90 3,366 NA NA 6,093 NA NA
S80 1,312 1,502 -12.6 3,400 4,061 -16.3
Total Volvo 12,225 9,732 25.6 30,168 25,953 16.2
LAND ROVER BRAND MARCH 2003 U.S. SALES
March Month % March CYTD %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
Range Rover 709 350 102.6 2,133 1,686 26.5
Discovery 1,383 1,263 9.5 3,845 3,888 -1.1
Freelander 722 1,159 -37.7 2,387 3,305 -27.8
Total Land Rover 2,814 2,772 1.5 8,365 8,879 -5.8
