U.S. dealers for Ford Motor Company posted total March sales of 212,777 vehicles, up 19% – beating General Motors by 6,000 units.
Ford Fusion set an all-time sales record of 27,566.
Ford refused to comment on the change, except to say that “consumers are voting with their wallets,” according to Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.
Ford Motor March retail sales increased 14% and fleet sales were up 29%, mostly in commercial segments. During the first quarter, total Ford Motor sales were 496,720, plus 16%. Retail sales were up 20% and fleet sales were up 8%.
Ford is clearly benefiting from relatively fresh products, a shift away from trucks to cars and improved fuel efficiency in most vehicle lines as gasoline prices continue to rise above $3.50 a gallon on a national average. Ford also selectively used incentives during the month – especially in the weak full-size pickup segment it leads in. Overall Ford incentives remain greater than $3,000 per vehicle, a relatively high number.
Ford said it offers 12 vehicles that lead their sales segments in fuel economy, including four vehicles with EPA certified 40 mpg or higher fuel economy ratings. However, inventories of small vehicles are dropping, roughly 40 days versus the usual 60, potentially signaling an impending shortage.
The Ford Fusion mid-size sedan set a new record with sales of 27,566, up 21% versus a year ago. The new Fiesta sub-compact set a record in March as monthly sales reached 9,787, up 56% from February. The Ford Mustang (up 47%) and Lincoln MKZ (up 28%) also posted higher sales than a year ago. However, the Mustang with 112 days of inventory is not in a healthy position, and Ford is shutting the Auto Alliance plant in Flat Rock, MI, for a week starting April 4. This also takes down the Mazda 6, which is also built there.
The compact Ford Escape SUV also set a new March sales record – and its second best month overall – with sales of 23,975, up 25%. Sales of the new Ford Edge (up 21%) and Lincoln MKX (up 12%) also were higher as were sales of the Ford Expedition (up 40%) and Lincoln Navigator (up 10%).
