Ford Motor Company U.S. sales total 177,673 vehicles in November, up 6% from a year ago, the Number Two U.S. automaker said today. Retail sales were up 12% compared with last year. Preliminary sales data indicate that November is projected at an estimated 15.3 million Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate or SAAR, up from a 13.6 million sales rate in 2011, or a 13% increase.
The F-Series had its 16th consecutive year-over-year monthly sales increase with the best November since 2005, at 56,299 pickups sold – an 18% improvement. It was the fourth month in a row with more than 50,000 F-Series sales.
Ford had its best small car November sales month since 2000, with Focus, the all-new C-Max Hybrids and Fiesta sales totaling 26,848 vehicles – a 76% over last year. Focus sales were up 56% versus year-ago levels.
However, the new Fusion at 15,000 units (-24%) and the Escape at 21,000 units (-4%) had weak results. The Escape has now been recalled four times for serious safety issues including unintended acceleration and engine fires, and the Fusion has just joined the fire recall list (Read AutoInformed – Another Ford Fire Recall on New Escape and Now Fusion Models)
Lincoln sales dropped -9% to 5,700 vehicles, with the new MKZ in the midst of a major changeover off -36%.
Ford also announced its 2013 first-quarter North American production plan. The company plans to build 750,000 vehicles in Q1, up 11% (73,000 vehicles) from 2012’s first quarter. Fourth quarter production of 725,000 vehicles was unchanged from previous guidance.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
