Ford’s president of the Americas, Joe Hinrichs, said during a TV interview the company is predicting industry-wide US light vehicle sales will top 17m in 2015, a tally last achieved in 2001.
However, according to Bloomberg News, the automaker would not confirm his comments.
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“We are forecasting next year it can be over 17m and we’re preparing for that,” Hinrichs said according to a transcript of an interview with CNBC.
“Some think it could be close to 18m,” which would be a record.
Bloomberg said CNBC autos correspondent Phil LeBeau, after the interview, tweeted a quote he attributed to Hinrichs: “We’re forecasting annual sales for the industry next year of 16.8m-17.5m vehicles.”
After reviewing the transcript of Hinrichs comments, Ford declined to confirm his forecast for Bloomberg News. Hinrichs and Ford CEO Mark Fields are scheduled to meet with investors in Dearborn, Michigan, on 29 September to review the company’s performance.
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By GlobalData“We will confirm our views on the industry and Ford’s outlook on Monday during our Investor Day presentation,” Ford spokesman Karl Henkel said in a statement emailed to Bloomberg.
US auto sales in 2001 reached 17.2m cars and light trucks, a year after a record 17.4m.
“We’ll have to see how interest rates grow and how the economy and housing market goes,” Hinrichs reportedly said.
“But we believe the potential can go above 17m.”
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