FOMOCO August Sales Fail to Stop The Slide

Demand continues to grow for Ford Motor Company's all-new and redesigned crossover vehicles, but overall sales declined in August.

Total August sales were 218,332, down 14 percent compared with a year ago. Sales to daily rental companies were down 44 percent and sales to individual retail customers were down 13 percent.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury's all-new and redesigned crossover utility sales were up 82 percent in August and up 48 percent year-to-date – the largest increase of any major manufacturer.

"We are encouraged by consumers' response to our new products," said Mark Fields, Ford's President of the Americas. "Demand for our new crossovers continues to grow despite challenging economic conditions."

In August, Ford Edge sales were 10,165 and Lincoln MKX sales were 3,421. The Edge and Lincoln MKX were introduced in December 2006 and already are among the best sellers in the mid-size and premium CUV segments.

Sales for the redesigned 2008 model Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner crossovers were higher in August. Escape sales were 11,960, up 4 percent, and Mariner sales were 2,939, up 6 percent.

Sales for the new Ford Expedition (up 17 percent) and Lincoln Navigator (up 57 percent) also were higher than a year ago. Expedition sales were up for the twelfth consecutive month.

The Lincoln brand posted its eleventh month in a row of higher retail sales. In August, total Lincoln sales were up 16 percent (retail up 17 percent). Year-to-date, total Lincoln sales were up 13 percent (retail up 14 percent). Lincoln’s rebound reflects the new Lincoln MKX crossover, the new Lincoln MKZ sedan and the redesigned Navigator.

Land Rover dealers reported record August sales of 4,853, up 32 percent, reflecting the addition of the all-new LR2 crossover. Land Rover sales were up 6 percent year-to-date.

North American Production

In the fourth quarter 2007, the company plans to produce 640,000 vehicles, up 6 percent compared with the fourth quarter 2006. In the third quarter 2007, the company plans to produce 640,000 vehicles, unchanged from the previous forecast.

"Our plan remains to align production capacity and inventories with consumer demand," said Fields. "Our second half production is in line with this thinking."

Tonee - 9/4/2007 5:36:23 PM

+1 Boost

Well at least thier SUV's and Crossover's are selling. The Ford Edge is a really nice car. I was thinking about trading in my '07 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Limited for one. Hopefully Ford can gain some momentum thou. Look on the bright side Ford, Toyota sales were down also.

jt716 - 9/4/2007 9:35:08 PM

+1 Boost

The EDGE is a not bad CUV go for it! Im not surprised the EDGE down here sells faster then the Fusion. My dealer brought 50 EDGES and they are almost sold out. They brought like 2 MKXs but they r slow to sell.