U.S. consumers purchased or leased a record 416,660 cars and trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, and Volvo dealers in May, up 1.4 percent compared with a year ago. The previous May sales record (412,648) was set 1978. The strong sales showing reflects the strength of Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F – news) brands and favorable consumer response to new products. In the last 12 months, the company has introduced the following new products in North America: Jaguar S-TYPE, Lincoln LS, Volvo S40/V40, Ford Excursion, Ford Focus, Jaguar XKR, Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Ford Explorer Sport and Sport Trac, Ford F-150 SuperCrew, and Volvo V70.
“This is our best start in history,” said Bob Rewey, Ford’s Group Vice President, Global Consumer Services and North America. “Strong consumer acceptance of our new products gives us confidence as we approach the second half of the year.”
The company’s May sales were highlighted by:
Ford Division – Fourth month in a row of record sales for America’s top-selling brand of cars and trucks
Ford F-Series – New F-150 SuperCrew boosts sales of America’s best-selling truck
Ford Explorer – New Explorer Sport Trac model lifts America’s top-selling SUV to May sales record
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By GlobalDataFord Focus – North American Car of the Year posts May sales of 26,050
Ford Taurus – Third record sales month in a row for redesigned 2000 model
Lincoln – May sales climb 28 percent bolstered by Lincoln LS
Jaguar – Thirteenth month in a row of record sales as S-TYPE momentum
continues
Volvo – May sales record and 16th month in a row of higher sales
May Sales By Brand
Ford dealers reported record May sales of 346,501, up three percent compared with a year ago. The previous record (332,043) was set 1978. Ford dealers have their sights set on a record sales year having delivered over 1.5 million cars and trucks to U.S. customers in the first five months of 2000.
Lincoln dealers reported May sales of 17,353, up 28 percent. Bolstered by the addition of the all-new Lincoln LS, Motor Trend magazine’s Car of the Year, and record May sales for the Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln’s year-to-date sales were up 34 percent. In its first 12 months on sale, the Lincoln LS achieved U.S. sales of 47,913.
Jaguar achieved record May sales of 4,012, up 20 percent from a year ago. The previous record for May sales (3,209) was set last year. The all-new Jaguar S-TYPE and XKR coupe and convertible are driving Jaguar toward a new sales record in 2000. Jaguar’s year-to-date sales were up 96 percent.
Volvo posted record May sales of 11,779, up six percent. The previous record for May sales (10,715) was set last year. The all-new S40/V40 compact sedan and wagon has been a major contributor to Volvo’s record-setting performance. The all-new V70 station wagon is beginning to arrive in Volvo dealer showrooms. Volvo’s year-to-date sales were up 15 percent.
Outlook for U.S. Auto Sales
Commenting on the outlook for auto sales, Rewey noted: “The seasonally- adjusted annual sales rate in the last six months has exceeded 18 million. Going forward, we anticipate that consumer demand will moderate in response to higher interest rates. Still, consumer confidence remains high and that bodes well for healthy auto sales.”
FORD MOTOR COMPANY MAY 2000 U.S. SALES
May Month DSR % May CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
Car and Truck Sales By Brand
Ford 346,501 323,319 3.0% 1,541,430 1,446,095 5.8%
Mercury 37,015 44,847 -20.6 168,668 185,354 -9.7
Lincoln 17,353 13,089 27.5 83,894 61,985 34.3
Jaguar 4,012 3,209 20.2 18,662 9,450 95.9
Volvo 11,779 10,715 5.7 53,975 46,570 15.0
Total Ford
Motor
Company 416,660 395,179 1.4% 1,866,629 1,721,513 7.6%
Memo: Cars and Trucks
Cars 172,692 168,580 -1.5% 770,509 665,607 14.9%
Trucks 243,968 226,599 3.5 1,096,120 1,045,191 4.1
Total Ford
Motor
Company 416,660 395,179 1.4% 1,866,629 1,721,513 7.6%
Memo: Selling Days 26 25 128 127
Note: Ford Motor Company acquired Volvo Cars on March 31, 1999. Accordingly, Ford's 1999 year-to-date sales exclude Volvo prior to April 1.
FORD BRAND MAY 2000 U.S. SALES
May Month DSR % May CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
Crown Victoria 10,090 11,260 -13.8% 42,802 50,895 -16.6%
Taurus 43,068 34,445 20.2 173,081 145,701 17.9
Contour 3,016 15,219 -80.9 30,423 58,064 -48.0
Focus 26,050 NA NA 121,884 NA NA
Escort 12,005 27,227 -57.6 48,903 121,385 -60.0
Mustang 19,674 19,584 -3.4 78,333 78,465 -0.9
TOTAL FORD
CARS 113,903 107,735 1.7% 495,426 454,510 8.2%
Expedition 20,362 20,081 -2.5% 86,116 93,201 -8.3%
Explorer 44,202 34,905 21.8 195,397 167,192 16.0
Excursion 4,299 NA NA 20,137 NA NA
Econoline/
Club Wagon 18,830 19,574 -7.5 80,015 82,976 -4.3
Windstar 24,413 22,305 5.2 111,960 97,684 13.7
Ranger 33,739 38,070 -14.8 159,521 177,627 -10.9
F-Series 85,506 79,303 3.7 387,724 368,676 4.3
Heavy Trucks 1,247 1,346 -10.9 5,134 4,229 20.5
TOTAL FORD
TRUCKS 232,598 215,584 3.7% 1,046,004 991,585 4.7%
TOTAL FORD
BRAND 346,501 323,319 3.0% 1,541,430 1,446,095 5.8%
LINCOLN AND MERCURY BRAND MAY 2000 U.S. SALES
May Month DSR % May CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
Grand Marquis 11,843 10,983 3.7% 56,599 50,051 12.2%
Sable 11,116 11,231 -4.8 48,393 42,510 12.9
Cougar 4,566 6,686 -34.3 18,150 26,650 -32.4
Mystique 1,763 5,055 -66.5 12,210 16,929 -28.4
Tracer 0 2,669 -100.0 0 11,128 -100.0
TOTAL MERCURY
CARS 29,288 36,624 -23.1% 135,352 147,268 -8.8%
Town Car 7,091 7,368 -7.5 35,851 35,601 -0.1
Continental 2,068 2,517 -21.0 9,698 10,452 -7.9
LS 4,551 412 962.1 21,545 412 5088.5
TOTAL LINCOLN
CARS 13,710 10,297 28.0% 67,094 46,465 43.3%
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
CARS 42,998 46,921 -11.9% 202,446 193,733 3.7%
Villager 3,549 4,234 -19.4% 13,818 19,929 -31.2%
Mountaineer 4,178 3,989 0.7 19,498 18,157 6.5
TOTAL MERCURY
TRUCKS 7,727 8,223 -9.6% 33,316 38,086 -13.2%
Navigator 3,643 2,792 25.5 16,800 15,520 7.4
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
TRUCKS 11,370 11,015 -0.7% 50,116 53,606 -7.2%
TOTAL MERCURY
AND LINCOLN
VEHICLES 54,368 57,936 -9.8% 252,562 247,339 1.3%
Memo: Total
Lincoln Brand 17,353 13,089 27.5% 83,894 61,985 34.3%
Total
Mercury Brand 37,015 44,847 -20.6 168,668 185,354 -9.7
JAGUAR CARS MAY 2000 U.S. SALES
May Month DSR % May CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
XJ8 473 558 -18.5 % 2,117 2,481 -15.3 %
XJ8 L 114 157 -30.2 529 791 -33.6
Vanden
Plas 302 376 -22.8 1,539 1,502 1.7
XJR 112 138 -22.0 545 688 -21.4
S-TYPE 2,384 1,439 59.3 11,017 1,790 510.7
XK8 -
Coupe 62 39 52.9 294 220 32.6
XK8 -
Convertible 408 502 -21.9 2,022 1,978 1.4
XKR - Coupe 24 NA NA 111 NA NA
XKR -
Convertible 133 NA NA 488 NA NA
TOTAL JAGUAR
CARS 4,012 3,209 20.2 % 18,662 9,450 95.9 %
VOLVO CARS MAY 2000 U.S. SALES
May Month DSR % May CYTD DSR %
2000 1999 Change 2000 1999 Change
S40 2,666 NA NA % 12,209 NA NA %
V40 721 NA NA 2,495 1 NA
S70 2,647 3,888 -34.5 11,511 16,392 -30.3
V70 2,807 - 2,925 -7.7 12,094 13,600 -11.8
C70 546 774 -32.2 2,477 2,602 -5.5
S80 2,392 3,125 -26.4 13,188 13,955 -6.2
S90/V90 NA 3 NA 1 20 NA
TOTAL VOLVO
CARS 11,779 10,715 5.7 % 53,975 46,570 15.0 %