Business

Strong Demand for Trucks and SUVs Drive up Ford’s Sales

Ford Motor Co.’s U.S. sales rose 11 percent in 2011 thanks to strong demand for its trucks and SUVs. The company had its best December for retail sales since 2005 with 210,140 cars sold in the month, up 10 percent from the previous year, according to ABC news.

Ford sold 2.1 million vehicles last year, a sign of the industry’s continuing recovery. It was the first time the Ford brand has passed the 2 million mark since before the recession in 2007.

“It was really after the 25th of December when we really saw a pretty strong acceleration and ended the year on what really was a high note,” said Erich Merkle, Ford U.S. sales analyst in a recent Detroit Free Press article.

Strong sellers included the new Ford Explorer SUV, which more than doubled sales from 2010. The small SUV and Ranger pickup also posted big increases.

Automobile Magazine reports [emphases added]:

As usual, the Ford F-Series pickup carried the torch for the blue oval: Ford sold 68,278 of the trucks in December, up 24.4 percent year-over-year, and ended the year up 10.7 percent to 584,917 sales.

…the now-defunct Ranger sold 70,832 units last year, up 27.9 percent on the year and enough to edge out the iconic Mustang.

However, two of the biggest winners for Ford in 2011 were the Explorer and Fiesta:

…the Fiesta…ended the year at 68,574 sales, up 194.7 percent; however, the Fiesta was only on sale for the second half of 2010.

The Explorer also enjoyed triple-digit increases: after a December where it sold 13,872 Explorers (up 37.4 percent), it capped the year at 135,704 sales, up 123.6 percent from 2010.

And Ford’s other sales figures were impressive.

“The Focus edged up 12.1 percent in December to end the year at 175,717 units sold, up 1.9 percent from 2010 thanks to the all-new 2012 model, The Taurus and Mustang both slipped in 2011; however, the Taurus was down only 0.1 percent in December and ended the year down 7.7 percent to 63,526 sales, while the Mustang was down 7.2 percent in December and down 4.4 percent to 70,438 sales,” writes Ben Timmins of Automobile Magazine.

Ford said it expects the U.S. economy to expand by at least 2 to 3 percent this year and industry sales by 13.5 million to 14.5 million.

“Industry sales are up now over 20 percent over two years since the throes of the financial crisis,” said Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, Ford’s chief economist.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments (32)

  • Rational Man
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 2:29pm

    Guess that means there are alot more junkers on the road that Ford refuses to stand behind when they break down. Like how they burned me, big time, in ‘02 on a new truck.
    I got “POWERSTROKED”, and will never buy another Ford product again that was made later than 1979. Gotta love those 70s F series trunks and Broncos though.

    Report Post » Rational Man  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 9:25am

    Bring back the Country Squire wagon. Had one in high school. Lt. blue with “woodie” sides, and a 3 on the tree. We dropped a 390 c.i. police interceptor into it. Talk about a “sleeper”.

    Report Post »  
  • James 73
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 4:15am

    Been a loyal Ford fan since about 4 or 5 years old (thanks dad) now currently working in an Ford dealer in parts!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=lMZEUe48fs8&NR=1
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=sCvDi-8U58I&feature=endscreen

    Report Post »  
  • Howsit
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:22pm

    Many people have decided not to buy from government motors for the very reason that it is “government” motors. I am one of them. Try to find a good alternative to the SUV/truck lines of GM and your options get pretty limited. Not hard to reason that Ford would have a better year. Many of the same problems that led to GM’s takeover are still present in Ford, but what other good choices are there?

    Report Post »  
  • mike7050
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 7:38pm

    If we can get rid of the ethanol, BS. Start producing our own oil, learn to pray, and repent….well it’s a start to real recovery.

    Report Post »  
  • sWampy
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 6:05pm

    SUV’s are the most impractical car ever invented. A station wagon lifted to make it top heavy so it rolls easily, and renamed so idiots don’t have to admit they are driving a station wagon/mini van. The fact any of these ever sell at all proves our education system is completely screwed.

    Report Post »  
    • SoCaLCapitalist
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:56pm

      That’s why the new explorer is a crossover vehicle. Runs great on sand, snow and of course city and Hwy. I get 26 mph avg on the freeway. And a top insurance crash test ratIng.

      I suppose you prefer government motors new mobile electric chair. It seats 4 comfortably, doesn’t need fuel but randomly can catch fire and burn all of its occupants to death. But they hope the recall will fix that lil problem.

      Report Post »  
  • borderswill
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 3:29pm

    I own an ‘88 Ford Ranger which has never given me any major problems. I need a new thermostat, battery, and alternator but that’s an easy weekend job. My Blazer on the other hand could be stolen from a parking lot and I’d be greatful. Stolen, lit on fire, shot up, whatever. I hate the damn thing for all the problems it’s given me. I’ll never buy GM again.

    Report Post »  
    • borderswill
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 3:31pm

      This story proves that when you make a good, dependable product, people will buy.

      Report Post »  
    • TNT75
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:17pm

      I won’t buy GM either, I’ve owned 3 of them and had nothing but headaches. I‘m on my 3rd Ford now and still own them all with minimal troubles compared to the GM’s.

      Report Post » TNT75  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:30pm

    I saw a news story recently that said GM sold more cars this year than any of the other automakers. I did not believe it. Now I KNOW it wasn’t true. First they lied about paying off their loan, now that news story.

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • USANUMBERONE
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:03am

    I miss my F150, had to make budget cuts.

    Report Post »  
  • SgtB
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:43am

    Now if they would only take that direct injection technology that has for so long been used on diesels and make a gasoline engine with the same compression as a diesel, we’ll have 30 mpg quad cabs with 400 HP and 60 mpg cars.

    Report Post » SgtB  
  • DeCalBrex
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:16am

    I sincerely hope the engines on all these NEW Fords don’t fail like ours did when the spark plugs have to be replaced, costing more than the dealer..which is apparently different from Ford Motor Company…thinks that the truck is even worth. I’m really, really starting to feel like Ford didn‘t need a bail out because they knew they’d make up so much money on maintenance when they fix their “design flaws”, but how does a poor Ford owning peon prove any of that? So it is just my little, lowly opinion, so on the bright side, for the new year I have a brand new head and I can keep making payments on my F150 BEAST because it isn’t like Ford Motor Credit Company is going to let me stop at what the Ford dealer thinks my truck is worth! Maybe we should have let it rot on the lot!?! Ford sucks!

    Report Post »  
  • warner
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:37am

    Have had two F150 in the past…did a stupid and bought a friends GMS Yukon (before the bailout) and I HATE THE THING! Am looking for a F150 and never looking back! GO FORD!

    Report Post »  
  • Pro-Palin
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:31am

    FORD and only FORD !!

    Report Post » Pro-Palin  
  • bandi9
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:51am

    i have always been a GM kind of guy, but last year bought a used Ford F150. love it, and sole reason for getting it was because they didnt take bailout money. Now they seem to be kicking ass. Ford fan now.

    Report Post »  
  • Bill Rowland
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:24am

    Just borrowed a buddies Expidition for a 4000 mile trip. Fell in love with a vehicle. This Ford rides like a dream, holds the road like it was on rails. On the return trip, I pulled a U-Haul trailer and it was like it wasn’t even there.
    There is no doubt in my mind that my next car will be an Excursion of a 4dr F150..

    OMG

    Report Post »  
  • Delta D-5-3
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:10am

    “Sales of U.S. pick-ups soar”…………Wow, wait till OIL HIT’S $200 barrel, you’ll see gas sucking pick-ups and SUV’s selling for pennies on the dollar. Who’s going to be able to pay $8.00 gal for something getting 12MPG????? I’ve seen the writing on the wall, sold my truck got a smaller SUV that gets 20MPG. Still going to hurt when Iran gets there way, it’s coming people, ACT NOW!!!!!

    Report Post » Delta D-5-3  
  • Robert Simpson
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 7:59am

    I have a 2000 GMC and it‘s the last one I’ll own. No more Gevernment Moters for me.

    Report Post » Robert Simpson  
    • borderswill
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 3:24pm

      I feel your pain. I own a 2000 Chevy Blazer. Rear Main is leaking, replaced all ball joints (two broke while driving,) replaced intake gasket, replaced fuel pump after 23K original miles, power seats dont work, and the numerous known design flaws. There for a while I was spending $300 a week every week just on new parts so I could go to work in the morning. Good thing I have a back-up in a ‘88 Ford Ranger which that Blazer keeps me in a lot of the time until I can get the time to fix it in time for the next thing to go out. That little old ford has never failed me or left me stranded. Gave $400 for it compared to the 30 + thousand for the Blazer when it was new.

      Report Post »  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 7:25am

    Bring back the Torino GT 429 Cobra Jet……. “Have You Driven a Fooorrrrdddd….Lately“ ”Ford,, The Better Idea”

    Report Post »  
  • wntsmallgov
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 6:36am

    People are waking up to obamas take over. I will never again buy from Government Motors

    Report Post » wntsmallgov  
  • DELTAJOHN
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 5:53am

    Ford’s success has been due to the fact that EVERY MODEL has improved fuel economy. They took a gamble on the F-150 and installed a turbocharged V-6 that tops competitor’s hp and torque with V-8′s and yet provides towing power and 22mpg! Many people on the towing forum are raving about it. We love our 2010 Fusion 4cyl, 6spd MT which is averaging 35 mpg. Gas mileage is what sells cars now, GO FORD!

    Report Post » DELTAJOHN  
    • 2Smart2BaLib
      Posted on January 8, 2012 at 10:22pm

      Go Ford! is right
      Ford builds high quality products
      My Ford Taurus gave me 326,000 miles before I traded it in
      for a 2002 Sable wagon which still runs and looks like new

      I am a Ford man forever

      will never buy from communist GM or Chrysler again
      Ford sold 68,278 trucks in December mean while even with $7000 dollar government “Obama” rebate Chevy can’t give their POS electric Volt away

      Report Post » 2Smart2BaLib  
  • campt1
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 3:16am

    Drill baby drill.

    Report Post » campt1  
  • Large Eagle
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:22am

    2004 F250 6 liter diesel with 345,000 – I am their best salesman

    Report Post »  
    • DELTAJOHN
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 5:47am

      I love my ‘04 Superduty 6.0 diesel as well, last summer, 22mpg hwy (unloaded) not bad for a 6600 lb vehicle!

      Report Post » DELTAJOHN  
    • James 73
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 3:14am

      Go to your dealer and get product cetane booster part number PM-22-A. It helps fuel mileage and keeps your diesel EGR valve clean!

      Report Post »  
  • your sensei
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:17am

    I smell a new sponnnnnserrrrrr!

    Report Post » your sensei  

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