U.S. April 2008 Retail Sales for Ford's New Focus Up 88 Percent, Pacing Strong Car and Crossover Results
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- Ford's new Focus posted an 88 percent increase in retail sales compared with a year ago; highest April sales for Focus since 2000.
- Retail sales for mid-size sedans also were higher; Ford Fusion up 31 percent, Mercury Milan up 19 percent, and Lincoln MKZ up 20 percent; Fusion and Milan set April sales records.
- Total car retail sales up 21 percent.
- Crossover retail sales up 11 percent led by Ford Edge (up 24 percent) and Ford Escape (up 13 percent).
- Rising gas prices accelerate the industry-wide shift from trucks and SUVs to cars and crossovers.
- Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 189,247, down 12 percent; retail sales were down 7 percent and daily rental sales were down 32 percent.
- Total Ford Motor Company sales (including Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo) totaled 200,727, down 12 percent.
DEARBORN, Mich., May 1 -- Ford's new Focus continues to defy gravity -- and the U.S. economy -- with a 88 percent jump in retail sales versus last April and the highest total Focus April sales since 2000.
"Focus is the right car at the right time," said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Marketing and Communications. "This is the little car that delivers in a big way for customers, with outstanding fuel economy, cool features including SYNC, a fun drive and the right price, right along with the rest of our newest cars and crossovers."
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars achieved a 21 percent increase in retail sales. While Focus was the standout, the company's mid-size cars also posted higher retail sales. Ford Fusion retail sales were up 31 percent, Mercury Milan retail sales were up 19 percent and Lincoln MKZ retail sales were up 20 percent. The Fusion and Milan set April sales records with total sales of 15,059 for the Fusion and 3,809 for the Milan.
Retail sales for the company's crossovers were 11 percent higher than a year ago, paced by the Ford Edge (up 24 percent) and Ford Escape (up 13 percent). Retail sales for the Mercury Mariner were up 6 percent and Lincoln MKX retail sales were up 4 percent.
Higher gas prices are accelerating the industry-wide shift from trucks and traditional sport utility vehicles to cars and crossovers. At Ford, April sales for sport utility vehicles were 36 percent lower than a year ago and trucks were 19 percent lower.
Lower sales to daily rental companies (down 32 percent) also contributed to the company's sales decline. Overall, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 189,247, down 12 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales to individual customers were down 7 percent.
Total Ford Motor Company sales, including Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo, totaled 200,727, down 12 percent.
Note: The sales data included in this release and the accompanying tables are based largely on data reported by dealers representing their sales to retail and fleet customers.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company , a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 244,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda, and until completion of their sale, Jaguar Land Rover. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com .
FORD MOTOR COMPANY APRIL 2008 U.S. SALES
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April % Year-To-Date %
----- ------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Sales By Brand
Ford 165,997 185,553 -10.5 649,814 708,141 -8.2
Mercury 12,910 17,481 -26.1 47,345 61,354 -22.8
Lincoln 10,340 11,832 -12.6 38,811 46,959 -17.4
------ ------ ------ ------
Total Ford, Lincoln
and Mercury 189,247 214,866 -11.9 735,970 816,454 -9.9
Jaguar 1,785 1,424 25.4 5,264 5,672 -7.2
Land Rover 2,557 4,211 -39.3 11,289 14,413 -21.7
Volvo 7,138 8,122 -12.1 31,942 35,044 -8.9
----- ----- ------ ------
Total Ford Motor
Company 200,727 228,623 -12.2 784,465 871,583 -10.0
Memo: Cars and Trucks
Cars 79,913 80,732 -1.0 275,237 297,009 -7.3
Trucks 120,814 147,891 -18.3 509,228 574,574 -11.4
------- ------- ------- -------
Total Ford Motor
Company 200,727 228,623 -12.2 784,465 871,583 -10.0
FORD BRAND APRIL 2008 U.S. SALES
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April % Year-To-Date %
----- ------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Crown Victoria 5,339 7,389 -27.7 18,286 23,922 -23.6
Taurus 5,240 6,657 -21.3 21,117 23,391 -9.7
Fusion 15,059 12,303 22.4 55,109 51,981 6.0
Focus 23,850 16,626 43.5 72,920 56,463 29.1
Mustang 10,050 12,509 -19.7 34,527 47,082 -26.7
GT 0 0 NA 0 231 -100.0
- - - ---
Total Ford Cars 59,538 55,484 7.3 201,959 203,070 -0.5
Escape 15,399 14,788 4.1 59,299 54,105 9.6
Edge 10,333 9,134 13.1 46,367 33,612 37.9
Taurus X 2,261 4,893 -53.8 9,758 14,686 -33.6
Explorer 7,356 11,956 -38.5 34,994 46,679 -25.0
Expedition 5,208 8,008 -35.0 23,434 32,157 -27.1
Freestar 0 150 -100.0 0 2,176 -100.0
Econoline/Club Wagon 12,784 15,740 -18.8 49,196 62,246 -21.0
Ranger 7,585 7,499 1.1 29,182 25,990 12.3
F-Series 44,813 56,692 -21.0 192,951 228,343 -15.5
Low Cab Forward 102 205 -50.2 325 868 -62.6
Heavy Trucks 618 1,004 -38.4 2,349 4,209 -44.2
--- ----- ----- -----
Total Ford Trucks 106,459 130,069 -18.2 447,855 505,071 -11.3
------- ------- ------- -------
Total Ford Brand 165,997 185,553 -10.5 649,814 708,141 -8.2
LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND APRIL 2008 U.S. SALES
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April % Year-To-Date %
----- ------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Grand Marquis 3,201 6,514 -50.9 11,106 20,956 -47.0
Sable 1,862 2,295 -18.9 5,619 6,585 -14.7
Milan 3,809 3,365 13.2 12,686 13,601 -6.7
----- ----- ------ ------
Total Mercury Cars 8,872 12,174 -27.1 29,411 41,142 -28.5
MKZ 3,268 2,740 19.3 13,012 10,838 20.1
Town Car 1,976 3,712 -46.8 5,412 15,357 -64.8
----- ----- ----- ------
Total Lincoln Cars 5,244 6,452 -18.7 18,424 26,195 -29.7
----- ----- ------ ------
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Cars 14,116 18,626 -24.2 47,835 67,337 -29.0
Mariner 3,092 3,065 0.9 12,260 11,495 6.7
Mountaineer 946 2,135 -55.7 5,674 8,133 -30.2
Monterey 0 107 -100.0 0 584 -100.0
- --- - ---
Total Mercury Trucks 4,038 5,307 -23.9 17,934 20,212 -11.3
MKX 3,038 2,901 4.7 12,370 9,964 24.1
Navigator 1,673 1,801 -7.1 6,505 7,894 -17.6
Mark LT 385 678 -43.2 1,512 2,906 -48.0
--- --- ----- -----
Total Lincoln Trucks 5,096 5,380 -5.3 20,387 20,764 -1.8
----- ----- ------ ------
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Trucks 9,134 10,687 -14.5 38,321 40,976 -6.5
----- ------ ------ ------
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Vehicles 23,250 29,313 -20.7 86,156 108,313 -20.5
Total Lincoln Brand 10,340 11,832 -12.6 38,811 46,959 -17.4
Total Mercury Brand 12,910 17,481 -26.1 47,345 61,354 -22.8
JAGUAR BRAND APRIL 2008 U.S. SALES
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April % Year-To-Date %
----- ------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
XJ 259 452 -42.7 904 1,584 -42.9
XF 1,126 0 NA 2,287 0 NA
S-TYPE 94 283 -66.8 689 1,348 -48.9
X-TYPE 31 252 -87.7 356 1,052 -66.2
XK 275 437 -37.1 1,028 1,688 -39.1
--- --- ----- -----
Total Jaguar 1,785 1,424 25.4 5,264 5,672 -7.2
VOLVO BRAND APRIL 2008 U.S. SALES
---------------------------------
April % Year-To-Date %
----- ------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
C30 337 0 NA 1,399 0 NA
S40 1,317 1,725 -23.7 5,294 7,398 -28.4
V50 129 255 -49.4 621 977 -36.4
S60 771 1,502 -48.7 5,037 5,879 -14.3
V70 229 250 -8.4 873 1,099 -20.6
XC70 773 756 2.2 3,685 3,833 -3.9
C70 703 476 47.7 2,203 1,484 48.5
S80 988 990 -0.2 4,752 4,093 16.1
XC90 1,891 2,168 -12.8 8,078 10,281 -21.4
----- ----- ----- ------
Total Volvo 7,138 8,122 -12.1 31,942 35,044 -8.9
LAND ROVER BRAND APRIL 2008 U.S. SALES
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April % Year-To-Date %
----- ------------
2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Range Rover 654 854 -23.4 2,949 3,763 -21.6
Range Rover Sport 945 1,247 -24.2 4,118 5,048 -18.4
LR3 501 808 -38.0 1,803 4,299 -58.1
LR2 457 1,302 -64.9 2,419 1,302 85.8
Freelander 0 0 NA 0 1 -100.0
- - - -
Total Land Rover 2,557 4,211 -39.3 11,289 14,413 -21.7
