Ford Motor Company Encouraged by Early Response to New Products
DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 3, 2004; Ford Motor Company rolled out the largest number and array of new products in its history and the early feedback is positive.
"We're very encouraged by the early dealer and consumer response to our new products," said Jim O'Connor, Ford group vice president, North American Marketing, Sales and Service. "We have our sights set on stronger retail sales in the months ahead."
The breadth of Ford's product assault ranges from the Ford Escape Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient sport utility offered in North America, to the F- Series Super Duty truck, the undisputed leader in the full-size truck market. In between, Ford has introduced two all-new mid-size sedans (Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego), a crossover sport utility vehicle (Ford Freestyle), a new compact SUV (Mercury Mariner), an all-new version of America's legendary pony car (Ford Mustang), and finally, the Ford GT.
As a result, Ford's U.S. market share is believed to have approached 20% in October, its highest share in at least six months.
Overall, the company's U.S. sales totaled 268,474 in October, down five percent compared with a year ago. Year-to-date, the company's U.S. sales totaled 2.8 million, down 5 percent.
New Product Highlights
Ford's F-Series truck, bolstered by the arrival of the new Super Duty model, posted its fourteenth consecutive monthly sales increase. October sales totaled 79,704, up 16 percent. Year-to-date, F-Series sales totaled 777,642, up 12 percent.
The company's new flagship sedans (Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego) and crossover sport utility vehicle (Ford Freestyle) posted combined sales of 5,787.
"Early customer feedback on the Ford Five Hundred and Freestyle has focused on the attributes and features the products were designed to deliver," said O'Connor. "Customers consistently mention comfort and room, smooth ride and handling, and visibility provided by Ford's Command Seating."
The new Escape Hybrid model posted sales of 1,130 in October and sales for the all-new Mercury Mariner compact SUV were 1,678, up 132 percent from September -- its first month on sale.
Ford dealers are delivering new Mustangs as fast as they arrive. Although total Mustang sales were down 5 percent from a year ago, retail sales were up 20 percent. The overall decline reflected sharply lower fleet deliveries.
Volvo posted record October sales of 11,612, up seven percent, reflecting the new S40 sedan and V50 sport wagon as well as continued strong sales of the XC90.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY OCTOBER 2004 U.S. SALES
October Month % October CYTD %
2004 2003 Change 2004 2003 Change
Sales By Brand
Ford 222,772 235,265 -5.3 2,337,222 2,443,245 -4.3
Mercury 15,585 16,727 -6.8 165,600 169,933 -2.5
Lincoln 12,209 12,326 -0.9 116,438 132,062 -11.8
Jaguar 3,620 4,088 -11.4 39,190 46,180 -15.1
Volvo 11,612 10,854 7.0 115,970 112,224 3.3
Land Rover 2,676 3,208 -16.6 26,130 32,333 -19.2
Total Ford
Motor Company 268,474 282,468 -5.0 2,800,550 2,935,977 -4.6
Memo: Cars and
Trucks
Cars 76,405 95,066 -19.6 866,567 1,009,057 -14.1
Trucks 192,069 187,402 2.5 1,933,983 1,926,920 0.4
Total Ford
Motor Company 268,474 282,468 -5.0 2,800,550 2,935,977 -4.6
FORD BRAND OCTOBER 2004 U.S. SALES
October Month % October CYTD %
2004 2003 Change 2004 2003 Change
Crown Victoria 5,190 5,936 -12.6 62,375 66,213 -5.8
Five Hundred 3,102 0 NA 3,102 0 NA
Taurus 16,710 26,849 -37.8 216,838 268,621 -19.3
Focus 14,635 19,275 -24.1 181,231 196,188 -7.6
Mustang 9,232 9,755 -5.4 103,700 116,645 -11.1
Thunderbird 710 1,470 -51.7 10,408 16,166 -35.6
GT 22 0 NA 22 0 NA
Escort 0 2,752 -100.0 1,210 22,203 -94.6
Total Ford Cars 49,601 66,037 -24.9 578,886 686,036 -15.6
Freestyle 1,880 0 NA 1,880 0 NA
Escape 15,589 16,266 -4.2 156,307 139,856 11.8
Explorer 29,842 30,124 -0.9 289,872 312,940 -7.4
Expedition 12,229 12,077 1.3 134,100 151,593 -11.5
Excursion 1,435 2,563 -44.0 15,847 20,450 -22.5
Freestar 7,634 3,831 NA 87,556 3,831 NA
Windstar 0 7,101 -100.0 2,950 105,298 -97.2
Econoline/Club Wagon 12,245 12,874 -4.9 143,188 136,087 5.2
Ranger 11,531 14,726 -21.7 138,891 184,923 -24.9
F-Series 79,704 68,828 15.8 777,642 696,192 11.7
Heavy Trucks 1,082 838 29.1 10,103 6,039 67.3
Total Ford Trucks 173,171 169,228 2.3 1,758,336 1,757,209 0.1
Total Ford Brand 222,772 235,265 -5.3 2,337,222 2,443,245 -4.3
LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND OCTOBER 2004 U.S. SALES
October Month % October CYTD %
2004 2003 Change 2004 2003 Change
Grand Marquis 5,543 7,295 -24.0 70,560 74,001 -4.6
Montego 805 0 NA 805 0 NA
Sable 3,031 4,786 -36.7 37,959 53,318 -28.8
Cougar 0 0 NA 0 2,024 -100.0
Total Mercury Cars 9,379 12,081 -22.4 109,324 129,343 -15.5
Town Car 5,432 4,422 22.8 44,406 48,818 -9.0
LS 1,663 2,275 -26.9 23,918 28,759 -16.8
Continental 0 0 NA 0 280 -100.0
Total Lincoln Cars 7,095 6,697 5.9 68,324 77,857 -12.2
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Cars 16,474 18,778 -12.3 177,648 207,200 -14.3
Mariner 1,678 0 NA 2,401 0 NA
Mountaineer 3,209 3,888 -17.5 38,607 39,832 -3.1
Monterey 1,319 758 NA 15,268 758 NA
Total Mercury Trucks 6,206 4,646 33.6 56,276 40,590 38.6
Navigator 3,060 2,999 2.0 28,882 30,064 -3.9
Aviator 2,054 2,630 -21.9 19,232 23,988 -19.8
Blackwood 0 0 NA 0 153 -100.0
Total Lincoln Trucks 5,114 5,629 -9.1 48,114 54,205 -11.2
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Trucks 11,320 10,275 10.2 104,390 94,795 10.1
Total Mercury
and Lincoln Vehicles 27,794 29,053 -4.3 282,038 301,995 -6.6
Total Lincoln Brand 12,209 12,326 -0.9 116,438 132,062 -11.8
Total Mercury Brand 15,585 16,727 -6.8 165,600 169,933 -2.5
JAGUAR BRAND OCTOBER 2004 U.S. SALES
October Month % October CYTD %
2004 2003 Change 2004 2003 Change
XJ 996 1,015 -1.9 8,455 8,175 3.4
S-TYPE 725 1,227 -40.9 9,621 12,776 -24.7
X-TYPE 1,645 1,614 1.9 18,706 22,826 -18.0
XK 254 232 9.5 2,408 2,403 0.2
Total Jaguar 3,620 4,088 -11.4 39,190 46,180 -15.1
VOLVO BRAND OCTOBER 2004 U.S. SALES
October Month % October CYTD %
2004 2003 Change 2004 2003 Change
S40 2,303 817 181.9 19,273 11,150 72.9
V40 8 156 -94.9 1,486 2,548 -41.7
V50 493 0 NA 1,422 0 NA
S60 1,841 2,676 -31.2 24,422 30,293 -19.4
V70 708 814 -13.0 9,137 9,742 -6.2
XC70 1,186 1,581 -25.0 14,067 14,455 -2.7
C70 315 338 -6.8 3,541 3,769 -6.0
S80 1,042 1,362 -23.5 11,562 12,139 -4.8
XC90 3,716 3,110 19.5 31,060 28,128 10.4
Total Volvo 11,612 10,854 7.0 115,970 112,224 3.3
LAND ROVER BRAND OCTOBER 2004 U.S. SALES
October Month % October CYTD %
2004 2003 Change 2004 2003 Change
Range Rover 1,288 1,116 15.4 10,098 9,242 9.3
Discovery 1,079 1,442 -25.2 11,358 14,830 -23.4
Freelander 309 650 -52.5 4,674 8,261 -43.4
Total Land Rover 2,676 3,208 -16.6 26,130 32,333 -19.2
