  Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 863 Registered: 06-2006 |
- Ford's new mid-size cars (Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ) and its new crossovers (Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX) set monthly sales records in March. - Fusion sales up 48 percent compared with a year ago, Milan sales up 45 percent, and Lincoln MKZ sales up 13 percent. - Edge sales were 10,915, up 37 percent compared with February and Lincoln MKX sales were 3,054, up 32 percent. - Ford, Lincoln and Mercury crossover sales totaled 37,915 in March, up 42 percent compared with a year ago; year-to-date crossover sales up 29 percent. - Ford F-Series sales were 71,481 - the highest monthly sales since August 2006. - Ford's overall sales totaled 264,975, down 9 percent compared with March 2006 (which was the highest monthly sales in 2006). DEARBORN, Mich., April 3 -- Ford's new mid-size cars (Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ) and its new crossovers (Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX) set monthly sales records in March. Rest of article here... http://www.theautochannel.com/ news/2007/04/03/042373.html | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 1444 Registered: 02-2004 |
A pal just bought an Edge and loves it. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 864 Registered: 06-2006 |
I see those things everywhere...I counted 9 on my way home from work yesterday (7 mile drive)...pretty impressive for a vehicle that didn't even exist just a few months ago... I think Lincoln's new flagship sedan, the MKS, will also be impressive when it debuts in Q3 of this year... | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 2660 Registered: 02-2005 |
Good news. They need to start making gains in the small car/crossover sectors, because SUVs, which they have relied upon, are slipping. Their new Expedition/Navigator aren't great, anyway. Ford is coming out with a new crossover/small SUV next summer (there's already hype on their website for it) which is distictive...and this is the only way to win in this market. | ||
Busterwmu Member Username: Busterwmu Post Number: 375 Registered: 09-2004 |
Great news. Glad to hear sales of "real" cars and similar crossover vehicles are picking up. Ford certainly has been pushing the Edge - I see ads for it all the time - and I'm glad it's paying off. I coulnd't afford a brand new car when I needed one a year ago, so I bought a used 03 Taurus, and I love it. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 11468 Registered: 10-2003 |
The Edge is edgey, I like it! Question though, with sales up on so many of their key vehicles, what's pulling them down so much that total sales declined 9%, SUV sales? | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 1985 Registered: 06-2004 |
Read the link at the top of the thread - it gives numbers broken down by model F-series is down calendar year to date (CYTD) Taurus is discontinued those are the two biggies | ||
Plymouthres Member Username: Plymouthres Post Number: 51 Registered: 02-2007 |
Lilpup- Taurus=500 now. They knew that they messed-up not continuing that brandname and went back to it immediately. One of the new things I admire about Mullaly! | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 751 Registered: 10-2006 |
Seems like a temporary upswing in a still rather downward market. Just my opinion. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 1988 Registered: 06-2004 |
quote: yeah, but that's almost the entire sales drop in cars for Ford 2006 Taurus & 500 CYTD ~ almost 75,000 2007 Taurus & 500 CYTD ~ less than 17,000 | ||
Jiminnm Member Username: Jiminnm Post Number: 1227 Registered: 02-2005 |
First Quarter 2007 vehicle sales vs. 2006: GM: 898K vs. 950K -5.5% Ford: 639K vs. 737K -13.2% D-C: 593K vs. 614K -3.3% Toyota: 606K vs. 545K +11.2% Time to take those rose colored glasses off. The former big 3 are not showing any real signs of improvement. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 867 Registered: 06-2006 |
Jim: GM and Ford are going through restructuring at the moment...they are creating new models that are selling very well for the most part while phasing out the tired ones...and I really think both companies finally have the pulse of American car buyers... anyways, given the restructuring, comparing last year's total sales to this year's total doesn't speak to the companies' long term health, which I really believe will surprise some people like yourself over the next few years...I was skeptic once too, but after what I've seen over the past year from both companies, they're starting to win me over | ||
Scottr Member Username: Scottr Post Number: 479 Registered: 07-2006 |
Jim - those numbers include low-profit, low-esteem fleet sales that GM and Ford are actively getting out of (while Toyota is most likely picking up the slack). Retail sales are doing much better than your numbers would indicate. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 1989 Registered: 06-2004 |
Is Toyota picking up the fleet slack? The last time I rented the agent reeled off Hyundai, Kia, & the like. I don't remember her mentioning Toyota or Honda. I picked a Dodge. | ||
Jerome81 Member Username: Jerome81 Post Number: 1342 Registered: 11-2003 |
There are two main points here. 1) The new models at GM and Ford are doing very well. Chrysler, eh, not so much. 2) Sales are increasing well to actual customers. Both GM and Ford are decreasing their fleet/rental sales. Looks bad on a year-over-year comparison, but bottom line is that this is a good thing. It means that retail sales are ofsetting some of the lost fleet sales. Retail sales are higher margin (bigger profit). In addition, reduced fleet sales mean that customers that buy them retail will enjoy higher resale and avoid the image of "rental car special" that kills further retail sales. They are not out of the woods yet. A couple good selling new products aren't going to right the ship. But it proves that they're actually making products CUSTOMERS choose to spend their own money on, not bolstering sales numbers by selling to fleets. I very much enjoy the Fusion. It is, however, not best in class. But its sporty looks and drive definitely make it stand out a bit. The Edge is superb. Drove one last week. While I have not driven the Mazda CX-7, the Edge was quick, comfy, handles, stops, and goes well. And it looks great. I've seen a few out here in CA, where seeing any domestic on the road without the rental bar-code in the window is a rarity. Personally? If Ford brought the all new Mondeo over here (see Casino Royale), that would get me seriously interested in a Ford again. The Fusion is great, but that Mondeo is superb, inside and out. I believe the current generation is generally considered to be at the top for European sedans in that class, along with the VW Passat. This new one has the looks to take the cake. They are doing better, but have a long long way to go. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 870 Registered: 06-2006 |
Yeah I have no idea why they aren't building the Mondeo over here...I've heard a very positive response from everyone who has seen it... I'm sure the Ford peeps would say there's a good reason for it... of course, they also said there was a good reason for redesigning the Taurus with that ridiculous oval theme while it was the #1 selling car in the country... | ||
Ccbatson Member Username: Ccbatson Post Number: 284 Registered: 11-2006 |
Just like GM, the good news follows the concessions from labor. Sifting through the creative accounting is not at all straight forward, but the pattern is pretty uniform for the 2 companies. Unfortunately, I still think Ford has a weak product line, but hopefully they are getting on the right track now. | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 1034 Registered: 11-2003 |
The Edge is really cool... the Hybrid Edge is even cooler. | ||
Ccbatson Member Username: Ccbatson Post Number: 286 Registered: 11-2006 |
Better....A huge miss is the lack of a third row, more seating as is found on the GMC Acadia. This feature broadens the appeal to include those that want the capacity of a minivan or large SUV, but not the image. Mazda's (owned by Ford) CX-9 does fill the gap, but it would be better to have the blue oval on such a product. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 4958 Registered: 11-2004 |
I really hope that not only Ford pulls out of its sales tailspin but more importantly, I hope they regain some credibility points with the consumers. For so long a time there, they were building uninspired cars that just didn't appeal to Americans (somehow Toyota and Honda did and they snatched up a chunk of the market). I'm hoping these figures will continue to increase and Ford can rise back up again. We need it here in this region. | ||
Mayor_sekou Member Username: Mayor_sekou Post Number: 669 Registered: 09-2006 |
Hooray for Ford, even though that three bar grill they're slapping on all their models annoys and blinds me on the road. Take back No. 2 | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 1990 Registered: 06-2004 |
checked out the new Flex on Ford's website - remember the thread a while back where some wanted station wagons to come back? - the Flex looks like it will serve the same purpose, depending upon what the actual interior specs are (not on the website yet). If both back rows of seats fold down flat or are removable... In a way the thing looks like an old International Scout. But I do have a beef with these antennae being plopped on center on the roof. How am I supposed to toss my kayak up there with that in the way? | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 874 Registered: 06-2006 |
I saw the flex yesterday, and I'm not sure that building school buses is the best way for Ford to recover from the downturn in SUV sales... I guess it's supposed to be more like a minivan though... the thing would look sweet if it were about 12 inches shorter.... | ||
Beavis1981 Member Username: Beavis1981 Post Number: 518 Registered: 08-2006 |
How many billions were spent on ad campaigns for these cars though? If you have watched any t.v for the past six months you have probably seen a commercial for fusion/milan/f series multiple times. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 875 Registered: 06-2006 |
Ford Edge crossover gaining on its rivals April 9, 2007 http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20070409/BUS INESS01/704090332&imw=Y | ||
Njmikey Member Username: Njmikey Post Number: 55 Registered: 04-2005 |
This maybe a dumb question but why doesn't ford sell the european fords here in the us - seems like they have better quality / styling / handling. I don't get it. Looks like GM gets the point with the new opel based saturns and holden that will be the pontiac G8. Ford should follow suit. Look at these cars: http://www.fordeurope.net/pict ures/p17_sectionid/198 http://www.fordeurope.net/pict ures/p17_sectionid/140 | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 878 Registered: 06-2006 |
we were discussing the Mondeo earlier in the thread, and share your sentiments... | ||
Plymouthres Member Username: Plymouthres Post Number: 59 Registered: 02-2007 |
Njmikey- Homologation. Different rules for different countries. Costs a lot of money to market the vehicles in the different countries because of the regs. |
