jpd80 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) * Ford Motor Company U.S. sales increased 14 percent in February compared to February 2011 with 179,119 vehicles sold; retail sales increased 19 percent * Focus sales totaled 23,350 vehicles in February, representing its strongest February sales performance since 2000; Escape also set a best-ever February sales record * February F-Series sales totaled 47,273 pickups, up 26 percent. V6 engines comprised 57 percent of F-150 retail sales in February; EcoBoost accounted for 43 percent of mix * Ford announces second quarter North American production plan DEARBORN, Mich., March 1, 2012 – Ford Motor Company posted a 14 percent increase in February U.S. sales versus year-ago levels, with 179,119 vehicles sold; retail sales increased 19 percent. The Ford brand was up 14 percent, while Lincoln posted a 16 percent increase versus year-ago levels. "Sales momentum built as February unfolded, with higher fuel prices driving consumer demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles in the second half of the month," said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. "Customers are recognizing Ford for investing in new cars, utilities and trucks with strong fuel economy, especially Focus, Escape and EcoBoostpowered vehicles." Ford Motor Company's car sales were up 16 percent in February, with Focus contributing 40 percent to the company's total vehicle growth – more than any other vehicle. Utilities gained 5 percent, with Escape setting a best-ever February sales record with 18,666 vehicles sold. Escape has had two consecutive best-ever sales months in January and February – its strongest-ever start to a year. America's top-selling vehicle for 30 years, the Ford F-Series posted a 26 percent increase, totaling 47,273 pickups. Ford Motor Company's North American production plan is to build 730,000 vehicles in the second quarter of 2012, up 3 percent (20,000 vehicles) compared with the second quarter 2011. First quarter production (675,000 vehicles) is unchanged from the previous forecast. SALES BY BRAND Ford 172,207 Lincoln 6,912 Mercury 0 Total Vehicles 179,119 SALES BY TYPE Cars 66,368 Utilities 48,116 Trucks 64,635 Total Vehicles 179,119 FORD BRAND Fiesta 5,518 Focus 23,350 Fusion 21,773 Taurus 4,329 Mustang 7,351 Crown Victoria 548 Ford Cars 62,869 Escape 18,666 Edge 10,535 Flex 2,012 Explorer 10,440 Expedition 3,050 Ford Utilities 44,703 F-Series 47,273 Ranger 4,482 Econoline/Club Wagon 10,100 Transit Connect 2,305 Heavy Trucks 475 Ford Trucks 64,635 Ford Brand 172,207 Inventory Cars 160,000 Trucks 194,000 Utilities 137,000 491,000 (68 days) Fleet sales Feb Rental 15 % commercial 14% Govt 3 % Fleet sales Year to date Rental 31% Commercial 12% Govt 4% LINK Edited March 2, 2012 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausrutherford Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Focus>Cruze Mustang>Camaro F-Series>GM twins by over 4,500 units 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) Farley said in Conferee call that Inventory Escape 70 days. Focus 56 days. Fusion 71 days. Fiesta 90 days Ford views that as almost perfect....a few more sales would be nice.. Ecoboost Edge = 18% of sales Ecoboost Explorer = 12% of sales F150 V6 = 57% Ecoboost 43% Mustang retail was up significantly year over year adding to the 7,351 figure for February Re higher fuel prices, Ford sees the company in recovery mode, economy and employment is improving so Ford think those factors will more than offset higher gas prices. National Truck Fleet is aging quicker than other sectors and Ford expects to see a lot more F truck buyers this year. People cross shop Fiesta and Focus, come in for Fiesta and end up buying a new Focus.... Truck Incentives are quite flat or down, Ford is lower than the industry incentive level.. Edited March 1, 2012 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Focus>Cruze Mustang>Camaro F-Series>GM twins by over 4,500 units That about sums it up. Looks like all the Focus needed was a little nudge from some incentives to really take off. F-series sales are incredible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Looks like all the Focus needed was a little nudge from some incentives to really take off. And inventory. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) And inventory. Earlier this month, I did a search of nation wide Focus Dealer Inventory an found that most were between $20,000 and $25,000 So if that held up well then Ford had a great February selling well equipped vehicles, I wonder how manual transmissions fared in sales...probably did well too. I just worked out why Farley, Merkle an Czubay were all very happy this month, good sales mean their bonuses will be big... Edited March 1, 2012 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 the Focus finally out sold the Fusion and the Escape. I guess we can relax a bit about the 3rd shift being added next month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4d4evr-1 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Ford division within 20% of all of GM. :happy feet: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Ford division within 20% of all of GM. :happy feet: And Chrysler coming up quickly in the rear view mirror led by its $199/month Ram pickups. Who would have thought Chrysler would be competing with Toyota for North American total sales a year ago? The new Dodge Dart will probably add another 10,000 sales/month to total. Even the Fiat 500 had its best sales month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I was pleasantly surprised how well Lincoln did for month with MKX and MKZ making up about 70% of total sales. But even the MKT was up year over year. That was a real shocker. MKS up year over year. And Lincoln was up year over year without its usual boost from TC. So maybe the MCE MKS and MKT can give it a 20% boost in sales when they hit dealerships. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ds91776 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I wonder if Ford would be better served if they dropped the price of each Focus model $1,000 and dropped the incentive to $1,000. Would that help with resale values? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTwannabe Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I wonder if Ford would be better served if they dropped the price of each Focus model $1,000 and dropped the incentive to $1,000. Would that help with resale values? Yes, but domestic auto buyers are conditioned to expect inflated MSRP's and some incentives. They're going to balk if they have to pay close to asking price. Look at Honda; their quality/volume has taken a massive dump over the past few years, but they don't offer any incentives to boost sales. Their customers pay Honda prices because "It's a Honda!"... even if that means jack today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Glad to see this, but I have mixed feelings about it since it was spurred by increased incentive spending. Ford's incentive spending jumped from $2541 to $2935. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Glad to see this, but I have mixed feelings about it since it was spurred by increased incentive spending. Ford's incentive spending jumped from $2541 to $2935. Well, with three of their highest volume vehicles getting a bit long in the tooth (Fusion, Escape, and F-150), it's got to be pretty difficult to keep overall incentive spending in check. Just so long as their incentives aren't leaping ahead of where competitors are then I'm okay with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdselBryantFord Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Focus>Cruze Mustang>Camaro F-Series>GM twins by over 4,500 units any facts to back this up? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havelock Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Glad to see this, but I have mixed feelings about it since it was spurred by increased incentive spending. Ford's incentive spending jumped from $2541 to $2935. I think the incentives would be a concern if the new escape, mustang, taurus, flex, mks, and mkt weren't coming out in the next couple of months...plus the new fusion and mkz in the fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 any facts to back this up? Just go look at the GM media site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 "Focus sales totaled 23,350 vehicles in February, representing its strongest February sales performance since 2000" Take that all the mo-fos saying 'Focus is a flop' and 'it's too small another flop like the Contour'. And to the WSJ saying 'Focuses are piling up, not selling'. A big F U!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) Glad to see this, but I have mixed feelings about it since it was spurred by increased incentive spending. Ford's incentive spending jumped from $2541 to $2935. Yes, combined incentives rose $500 a vehicle but the nett gain in revenue was huge and because it wasn't linked to fleet dumping, all is well. "Focus sales totaled 23,350 vehicles in February, representing its strongest February sales performance since 2000" Take that all the mo-fos saying 'Focus is a flop' and 'it's too small another flop like the Contour'. And to the WSJ saying 'Focuses are piling up, not selling'. A big F U!! Those same doomsayer will now switch sides gushing with praise to Ford for being so insightful... Edited March 1, 2012 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) Yes, combined incentives rose $500 a vehicle but the nett gain in revenue was huge and because it wasn't linked to fleet dumping, all is well. Those same doomsayer will now switch sides gushing with praise to Ford for being so insightful... The problem is, Ford is a bit on the low side already when it comes to revenue per vehicle, about $31K vs $33K at GM for example. Thankfully, it did increase significantly however. I'm curious about the Focus fleet sales for the month as well, I know a security firm we hire just ordered dozens of them in February to replace Rangers. Edited March 1, 2012 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) Revenue per vehicle my foot. I think GM is getting into trouble buying part of Peugeot, a fading company. They will have to make or break it. And to quote a Ford exec, 'F-GM'. I see them going BK again in a few years, some bad habits never change. Edited March 1, 2012 by 630land Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) The problem is, Ford is a bit on the low side already when it comes to revenue per vehicle, about $31K vs $33K at GM for example. Thankfully, it did increase significantly however. I'm curious about the Focus fleet sales for the month as well, I know a security firm we hire just ordered dozens of them in February to replace Rangers. Significantly? Man, Ford/Lincoln is withing 30,000 sales of a GM roaring back to life....... And, let's not immediately assume that Ford and GM have the same cost base and profit margins either... Edited March 1, 2012 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I'm curious about the Focus fleet sales for the month as well, I know a security firm we hire just ordered dozens of them in February to replace Rangers. They couldn't have. You just can't replace Rangers with Focii! </sarcasm> 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svtenthusiast Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 So what happened to all the talk about how they didn't need to incentivize vehicles to get them to move? Focus is a good example, dead for a few months and then suddenly they move with 2,000 cash on the hood. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonj80 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 The problem is, Ford is a bit on the low side already when it comes to revenue per vehicle, about $31K vs $33K at GM for example. Thankfully, it did increase significantly however. I'm curious about the Focus fleet sales for the month as well, I know a security firm we hire just ordered dozens of them in February to replace Rangers. You can partially attibute that to Cadillac selling 5000+more units than Lincoln and at a higher price. They moved about 1,000 more Escalade, than Navigators and the Escalade starts at about $6,000 more than a Navigator. I'm also sure that a lot of those Escalades are not base ones and have options bringing ATP up to around 70K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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