The Streak Is Broken! Ford posts first sales gain in 19 months
by John Neff on Aug 3rd 2009 at 12:29PM 
We'll publish our By the Numbers feature detailing sales results for every brand and automaker in the U.S. later today, but we just had to tell you the news: Ford Motor Company has just reported a 2.3% sales gain for July 2009 versus the same month last year. Why is that a big deal? For one, FoMoCo, General Motors and Chrysler LLC have been on a streak of monthly sales losses going all the way back to January 2008 when GM posted a 2.1% gain. The last time Chrysler reported positive numbers was December 2007 with a meager 1.0% improvement. Ford has gone the longest – 19 months – without reporting a sales gain, its last one being razor thin at 0.4% all the way back in November 2007.
And to what can we attribute Ford's positive performance in July 2009? A number of things, including a fresh lineup of vehicles, new hybrids, positive press and, of course, a little bit of help from the Cash for Clunkers program. Not all can be credited to CFC just yet, though, as dealers only actively started accepting trade-ins at the end of the month. Nevertheless, Ford's entire portfolio of brands reported gains except for Lincoln, which was down 24.3%. The Ford brand was up 2.9%, Mercury gained 6.6% and even Volvo erupted with a 25.7% sales gain.
Of individual models, the 2010 Escape made the biggest sales gain selling 20,241 units, a 94.2% improvement versus July 2008. The new 2010 Fusion also did well, selling 17,610 units for a 66.0% jump in sales. Even the Focus improved selling 21,830 units for a 43.6% gain.
Click here (PDF download) to view Ford Motor Company's complete sales performance for July 2009, and keep your eyes open for our industry-wide By the Numbers report later today.
[Source: Ford | Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images]
PRESS RELEASE
FORD'S NEW FUEL-EFFICIENT VEHICLES PLUS "CASH FOR CLUNKERS" PROGRAM DRIVE SALES INCREASE IN JULY
- Ford, Lincoln and Mercury retail sales increased 9 percent versus a year ago; total sales (including fleet) were 158,838, up 2 percent versus a year ago
- Ford is first among major manufacturers to report sales increase in 2009; year-over-year total sales gain is the first for Ford since November 2007
- Ford's fuel-efficient vehicles pace July sales results – Ford Fusion up 66 percent, Mercury Milan up 60 percent, Ford Escape up 94 percent, Mercury Mariner up 71 percent, Ford Focus up 44 percent and Ford Ranger up 65 percent; Ford hybrid sales up 323 percent
- Ford was first to market with "Cash for Clunkers" website; more than 1 million consumers guided by www.LetFordRecycleYourRide.com
- First 2010 model Ford Taurus and Transit Connect models were delivered to U.S. customers in July
DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 3, 2009 – Customer demand for Ford's fuel-efficient vehicles coupled with the U.S. government's Car Allowance Rebate System ("Cash for Clunkers") enabled Ford to post the first sales increase of any major manufacturer in 2009.
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers reported 118,197 retail sales in July, up 9 percent versus a year ago. Total sales (including fleet customer deliveries) were 158,838, up 2 percent versus last year.
"We had another strong month in progress before the 'Cash for Clunkers' program started," said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.
"Our products, our dealers and our advance preparation enabled us to leverage the program and drive traffic and sales to another level," he added. "In addition, we achieved a sales increase even though we decreased incentive spending in an increasingly competitive environment."
July Sales Highlights
- Ford Fusion sales totaled 17,610, a July record and up 66 percent versus a year ago, and Mercury Milan sales were up 60 percent. The 2010 model Fusion and Milan and their hybrid versions are the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans in America.
- Ford Escape sales totaled 20,241, a July record and up 94 percent versus a year ago, and Mercury Mariner sales were up 71 percent. The 2009 model Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid are the most fuel-efficient utility vehicles in America.
- Ford Focus sales totaled 21,830, up 44 percent versus a year ago. The Focus is among the most fuel-efficient compact cars in America with an EPA highway rating of 35 mpg.
- Ford Ranger sales totaled 7,695, up 65 percent versus a year ago. The Ranger is the most fuel-efficient compact pickup in America.
- Ford Flex sales totaled 3,631, up 65 percent versus a year ago. The Flex is among the most fuel-efficient mid-size crossover utilities in America.
- Ford's hybrid vehicles (Fusion, Milan, Escape and Mariner) posted combined sales of 5,353, a record for any month and up 323 percent versus a year ago.
"We have the freshest line of new products in the industry," said Czubay. "We're really encouraged by the growing number of consumers who are considering Ford for their next vehicle."
Internal and external studies show a positive trend in the percentage of consumers with favorable opinions about Ford, and growing numbers of consumers who are willing to consider purchasing a Ford vehicle, thanks to improved fuel economy, smart technology and higher residual values.
More new products are on the way. The first new 2010 Ford Taurus sedans were delivered at the end of July, as well as the first Transit Connects.
The all-new Taurus is the smartest full-size sedan in America. The Transit Connect, a small, fuel-efficient purpose-built van, is the first ONE Ford global vehicle to be sold in the United States.
This summer, Ford also will debut its EcoBoost engine technology in the Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS, Ford Flex and all-new Lincoln MKT crossover vehicle. In these vehicles, EcoBoost provides the fuel economy of a six-cylinder engine and the performance of a V-8.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Luis 12:33PM (8/03/2009)
Wow...Good job Mr. Mullaly.
Ok, so where's Brian complaining about socialism?
Reply
Wobbly_ears 12:39PM (8/03/2009)
Rush's show won't be on for few hours. He has to get the talking points from El Rushbo.
Brian will be back in full force after 12 after he has had his instructions.
John 12:53PM (8/03/2009)
What a complex world we live in. Brian is such a fool when he talks about Ford, but his political views about the socialist world Obama is forcing on USSA are much more intelligent. Maybe he has had some damage to only one side of his brain.
The Other Bob 12:58PM (8/03/2009)
"Ok, so where's Brian complaining about socialism?"
New game:
Whoever replies : "Don't feed the trolls!" to Brian's posts first, wins!
geo.stewart 1:05PM (8/03/2009)
Well, I dont want to hear any crap from anyone about a decent bonus for Mulally.
Bill said from day one when he took over that if he could find someone to do a better job, he would hire him. It took him a while but man, kudos on the choice. and Alan's changes are only partially realized at this point.
similar results in multiple industries? he will be writing his paycheck at his next gig.
Mr.Oak 12:40PM (8/03/2009)
Good job Ford. See how helpful government handouts can be? Surprised that they participated in Cash for Clunkers at all.
...and before any of you get to yapping, they DID benefit in part from a GOVERNMENT handout.
Reply
Tagg 12:57PM (8/03/2009)
Why are you surprised Ford participated? Toyota participated, Honda participated, as did Nissan, Subaru, Kia, Hyundai, GM, Chrysler and others. Besides, it's not Ford's call, it's up to the dealers to choose whether or not they want to play. Some dealers didn't particpate in the program at all because of lack of inventory and other reasons.
So I would say everyone benefited from a handout, not just Ford. This is NOTHING like the bailout GM nad Chrysler got to keep the lights on.
Mr.Oak 1:06PM (8/03/2009)
Tagg: Sort of like being slightly pregnant, a handout is a handout.
John 1:07PM (8/03/2009)
Another nit picker pitifully trying to paint Ford with the GM and Chrysler brush.
Look, it's real simple. Read slowly!
Much of the public is pissed at GM and Chrysler for going bankrupt, screwing the bond holders, and being bailed out of Chapter 11 with a huge infusion of tax payer money.
Ford did not do any of those things. Much of the public appreciates Ford's difference and is demonstrating that support online and in the showrooms.
End of story.
Mr.Oak 1:31PM (8/03/2009)
John: I currently OWN a Ford car. I am not ANTI Ford. The gullible public that let's CNN & Fox think for them? Americans have the attention span of a 3 year old. CNN & Fox will soon task them with a new thought, and they'll forget about GM and Fiaysler.
Take these companies on the merit of their products, not because of some stupid ideological issue. I don't care who got a bailout, I care who builds a better car. If that's Ford, then by all means buy the Ford car.
Tagg 1:36PM (8/03/2009)
I'm assuming you when you mean handout you are refering to the $8 billion Ford received a few months ago? This is a handout to everyone.
If you are refering to the $8 billion Ford received then yes, they benefited. There is no way you can say that is the same as the bailout GM and Chrysler received. If GM and Chrysler wouldn't have recieved they would be gone. If the didn't get the extra cash in bankruptcy they would still be there. If Ford wouldn't gotten the $8 billion they may have had to delay the intro of a model or two.
So I really don't understand your analogy.
Mr.Oak 1:52PM (8/03/2009)
Tagg: Then try this one. The entire domestic auto industry was / is in shambles. Ford was further along in their turn around when the economy went into the crapper.
Chrysler was caught with their pants at their ankles.
GM was caught with their pants at their knees.
Ford was caught with their fly open.
Ford being magnitudes smaller than GM was much easier to turn around.
GM needed someone to put a gun to their heads.
Chrysler, still traumatized by the vicious buggering they took from Daimler, had to be placed in foster care.
Just get ticked off the the close minded people who say "The government had to help you, you suck". Ford, Chrysler & GM all sucked for most of the last 30 years.
Lemon 2:17PM (8/03/2009)
haha Mr Oak I enjoyed your analogies. I agree with you in that an automaker should be judged first and foremost by its product.
Also, nice work Ford. Hopefully we'll start to see a consistant uptick with other automakers as well (I know, thats quite optimistic)
John 2:45PM (8/03/2009)
You sure covered a lot of ground there Mr. Oak.
Handouts, pregnancy, owning a Ford, gullible public, CNN & Fox News, product merits, ideological issues, pants around the knees and flys open, vicious buggering, and sucking for 30 years.
I hope you can appreciate the difficulty I might be having in understanding your evidence that Ford "DID benefit in part from a GOVERNMENT handout."
American Made 2:48PM (8/03/2009)
Good Sh$% Ford ... USA is on its way back to the top ..... and all the D-bags are wetting their pants .... wow the Imports are slipping !!!!!!!! Gotta love it !!!
@ Mr Richard Cranium ... I mean Miss Oak ..... Shut ur Vag Please !
the4thheat 4:40PM (8/03/2009)
@American Made
Err...the company that posted the largest gains was actually Hyundai with it's 19%+ gain in sales. Quit the stupid import bashing already, can't you just be happy that Ford's doing well instead of letting your inner redneck out?
The Hit 9:21PM (8/03/2009)
Fact is, Fox&Co's party opposed the C4C program.
Anyone who did should shut up.
elprogramer 12:45PM (8/03/2009)
Wait, wasn't last July an abysmal month also?
Reply
jeff 12:47PM (8/03/2009)
I think the point is that the last 19 months have been abysmal months. It is what it is: an increase in sales year over year.
Dude 1:08PM (8/03/2009)
@elprogramer
"Wait, wasn't last July an abysmal month also?"
Yes it was, and that is the problem with comparing monthly sales to previous years.
Guarantee: Next year sales will be 'down" because they were propped up from C4C this year and we'll have to hear analyst talk about how "Ford has lost their mojo".