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Ford Motor reported today that US vehicle sales declined during 2019 to 2.4 million or a drop of -3%. The middling performance in a strong market came as Tesla’s market valuation reached twice that of Ford Motor due to increasing sales. During 2019, Tesla delivered 367,500 vehicles, an increase of 50%, year-over-year, close to the company’s full-year guidance of 360,000 vehicles and has just announced it will expand EV production again, this time in Germany and out will increase in China as well.
Ford skipped the usual sales press conference but, in a release, touted that F-Series achieved its 43rd straight year as America’s best-selling pickup, while Ranger finished its best sales quarter since its reintroduction in early 2019. Combined sales of F-Series and Ranger totaled almost 1 million pickups at 986,097 vehicles for the year – an increase of 8.4%. Ranger Q4 sales hit 33,059 pickups for the quarter, totaling 89,571 for the year.
However, that strong performance – now threatened by rising gas prices as the result of expanding hostilities in the Mid-East, was not enough to offset breathtaking declines in car segments (-28% at 486,000) that continue to be dominated by Japanese and Korean automaking conglomerates that are now rapidly expanding into truck and SUV segments. The other domestic makes GM and FCA also saw similar declines of ~3% as the U.S. market looks to be headed for more declines.
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Genesis Launches Its First SUV – GV80
Late to the luxury truck market dominated by the Germans and Japanese.
Today, Genesis officially launched GV80, its first sport-utility vehicle. GV80 has a six-cylinder diesel (not in the US), electronically controlled suspension, and active noise cancellation. The launch and media test drive took place at the Korea International Exhibition Center west of Seoul. (Hyundai Motor Group Refines Active Noise Control)
The GV80 SUV joins the lineup alongside the G70, G80 and G90 sedans with more than a common thread of design identity. The interior and exterior styling of GV80 was the result of a collaboration between Genesis Design studios located in South Korea, the United States and Germany. ( Hyundai to Try to Make Genesis a Global Luxury Brand and Hyundai Genesis – a Rebadging Flop?) Continue reading →