Lincoln Cars News

Crisis in auto industry has influenced the automakers’ profit dearly. Even less losses than expected were a good reason for celebration. This season Ford company had a bigger opportunity to pour champagne as it had gained 2% in sales.

June had already given signs that the Ford automaker is on the right track and can go through the economy turbulences when shown 10 percent loss. Comparing to the same month last year the percentage of sales this time rose up giving 2 percent increase. But even this number is not a whole picture of Ford’s success as retail sales were actually up nine percent. Less significant income were driven from fleet sales which are notorious for their low profit margins. Finally they decreased that number to two percent only.

The sales gain of July month is the first for Ford since November 2007 which is a proof that Ford is striving not only to fight against the recession, but also truly giving its customers the product they would love to buy.

Ken Czubay as Ford’s sales and marketing Vice-President credited the company’s fuel-efficient vehicles along with the government’s Cash-for-Clunkers program for the positive results.

“We had another strong month in progress before the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ program started,” he said. “Our products, our dealers and our advance preparation enabled us to leverage the program and drive traffic and sales to another level. In addition, we achieved a sales increase even though we decreased incentive spending in an increasingly competitive environment.”

Specially successful models for Ford were: Fusion, Escape, Ranger and Flex. Fusion sales increased to 66%; Escape sales were up 94 percent; Ranger and Flex sales were both 65% over the last year results. Additionally Ford has noticed a tremendous increase in number of orders for hybrids, which gave its automakers an increase of 323 percent with their line of Fusion, Milan, Escape and Mariner.

Official release after the jump:

FORD’S NEW FUEL-EFFICIENT VEHICLES PLUS “CASH FOR CLUNKERS” PROGRAM DRIVE SALES INCREASE IN JULY

• Retail sales increased up to 9 percent versus the previous year for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury; total sales – 158,838 including fleet sales is up 2%/year ago

• Ford to become a pioneer in sales increase in 2009, first achievement since November 2007 of year-over-year total sales gain

• Report on fuel-efficient vehicles sales results – Ford Fusion up 66 percent, Mercury Milan up 60 percent, Ford Escape up 94 percent, Mercury Mariner up 71 percent, Ford Focus up 44 percent and Ford Ranger up 65 percent; Ford hybrid sales up 323 percent

• Ford first to market with “Cash and Clunkers” website

• First 2010 model Ford Taurus and Transit Connect to be sent to their U.S. owners in July

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 3, 2009 – Customer demand for Ford’s fuel-efficient vehicles coupled with the U.S. government’s Car Allowance Rebate System (“Cash for Clunkers”) enabled Ford to post the first sales increase of any major manufacturer in 2009.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers reported 118,197 retail sales in July, up 9 percent versus a year ago. Total sales (including fleet customer deliveries) were 158,838, up 2 percent versus last year.

“We had another strong month in progress before the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ program started,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.

“Our products, our dealers and our advance preparation enabled us to leverage the program and drive traffic and sales to another level,” he added. “In addition, we achieved a sales increase even though we decreased incentive spending in an increasingly competitive environment.”

July Sales Highlights

• The total amount of Ford Fusion sales equaled 17,610 which is a July record and 66% comparing to the previous year; Mercury Milan sales were up 60 percent. The 2010 model Fusion and Milan and their hybrid versions are the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans in America.

• Amount of sales for Ford Escape were 20,241, a July record and 94%/year ago; Mercury Mariner sales were increased on 71%. The 2009 model Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid are the most fuel-efficient utility vehicles in America.

• Sales amount for Ford Focus totaled 21,830 which is 44% up versus a year ago. The Ranger is the most fuel-efficient compact pickup in America.

• Ford Flex sales equaled 3,631 up 65% according to the previous year. The Flex is among the most fuel-efficient mid-size crossover utilities in America.

• Hybrid versions for Ford such as Fusion, Milan, Escape and Mariner all gathered sales of 5,353 which is a real record for any month and it gave 323 percent covering previous year profit.

“We have the freshest line of new products in the industry,” said Czubay. “We’re really encouraged by the growing number of consumers who are considering Ford for their next vehicle.”

According to internal and external statistics, the percentage of consumers with favorable feedback about Ford is growing as well as number of consumers willing to consider purchasing a Ford vehicle, owing to its improved fuel economy, smart technology and higher residual values.

Ford will offer more new products soon, the first new 2010 Ford Taurus sedans were already presented at the end of July, as well as the first Transit Connects.

The all-new Taurus is the smartest full-size sedan in America. The Transit Connect, a small, fuel-efficient purpose-built van, is the first ONE Ford global vehicle to be sold in the United States.

Summer 2009 is a debut for Ford’s EcoBoost engine technology in the Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS, Ford Flex and all-new Lincoln MKT crossover vehicle. Ecoboost will “boast” over its fuel economy of a six-cylinder engine and the performance of a V-8 in these models.