FOMOCO Sales Tumble in September In Spite Of Crossover Successes

Demand continues to grow for Ford Motor Company’s all-new and redesigned crossover vehicles, even as overall sales declined in September.

Total September sales were 189,863, down 21 percent compared with a year ago. Sales to daily rental companies were down 62 percent and sales to individual retail customers were down 15 percent.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury’s all-new and redesigned crossover utility sales were up 96 percent in September and up 52 percent year-to-date – the largest increase of any major manufacturer.

“We continue to be encouraged by customers’ strong response to our new products, which we’re launching with high quality,” said Mark Fields, president, The Americas. “Demand for our new crossovers continues to grow and contributes to our efforts to stabilize U.S. retail market share.”

In September, Ford Edge sales were 11,632 and Lincoln MKX sales were 3,805. Both new crossovers achieved their highest retail sales month to date. 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 September. Escape sales were 11,132, up 10 percent, and Mariner sales were 2,699, up 4 percent.

The Lincoln brand posted its 12 th month in a row of higher retail sales. In September, total Lincoln sales were up 33 percent (retail up 40 percent). Year-to-date, total Lincoln sales were up 15 percent (retail up 17 percent). Lincoln’s rebound reflects the new Lincoln MKX crossover, the new Lincoln MKZ sedan (up 25 percent in September) and the redesigned Navigator (up 38 percent in September).

“We’re building a strong foundation for future growth at Lincoln,” said Fields. “This is the early phase of an aggressive plan to restore Lincoln as America’s choice for luxury vehicles.”

Land Rover’s September sales were 4,190, up 21 percent, reflecting the addition of the all-new LR2 crossover. Land Rover sales were up 8 percent year-to-date.

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.

TexLandRover - 10/2/2007 7:27:01 PM

+1 Boost

Land Rover Rocks! Got to like their continued US sales success. Looks like 2007 will be another record year!

neutral - 10/2/2007 8:32:54 PM

+1 Boost

I hope Ford can make it........If Ford collapses, the ripple effect would destroy the entire domestic auto industry as well as suppliers and foreign manufacturers.

Ford: Dont sell Mazda or Volvo, they make money and they have good products.

EnnNorak - 10/3/2007 12:34:15 AM

+1 Boost

F shares rose today in spite of the sales tumble so investors must be getting a warm feeling all over re the announcement that Tata is buying Jag and LR. Ford is mortgaged to the hilt and would have extreme difficulty raising cash otherwise.

Spectator - 10/5/2007 2:51:40 PM

+1 Boost

Your right Mazda and Volvo are good products from Ford since they try to remain seperate from the US Ford parts bin and draw up on their Japanese and European side more than the US side. And CUV's are the right vehicle at the right time. I should know I just bought my wife a CX7 and can attest to the quality first hand.

As SUV's ushered in a dark period for the domestic market, CUV's are leading they way to a more fiscally, ecologically and socially responsible future. They are the first step to weening people of SUV's. Sort of like a Nicotine patch.

On the concept that Fords death would collapse the domestic auto industry, it wouldn't be Fords death that did it... it would be GM's death that would. Not only are they a car company they are a massive financial company as well in GMAC Financial. They would also hurt Korea big time as they hold controlling assests in Daewoo.

Ford would be second as a devistating (not lethal) blow to the US auto industry and Chrysler LLC (or should I say Cerberus) would be third as a ripple on the pond.