Ford Sales Flat — with Some Bright Spots

Photo of Paul Ausick
By Paul Ausick Published

Invalid Image
U.S. sales of new vehicles for September were flat compared with sales in September 2011, according to data released today by Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F). Car sales were up 1.6% year-over-year and utility vehicle sales were up 8.7%, but truck sales dived 7.6%, primarily as a result of the company’s discontinuation of its Ranger models.

The company’s small car sales jumped 73% year-over-year, the company’s best total for small car sales in 10 years. Other highlights include sales of Escape compact utility vehicles up 14% to a best-ever sales total for September of 23,148. The stalwart F-series pickups saw sales increase by just 1% to a total of 55,077, the most since September 2007. Sales of the company’s flagship small car, the Ford Focus, were up 91%.

A Ford executive said:

Fuel economy remains one of the most important features customers want most today, and Ford is answering the call with five vehicles that deliver 40 mpg or better – with another three on the way by year-end.

Total sales were flat to last year, but retail sales rose 4%. Total car sales were up 2%, sales of utility vehicles were up 9% and trucks were down 9% due to the discontinuation of the Ranger model.

Ford shares are down 0.6% at $9.87 this morning in a 52-week range of $8.82 to $13.05.

Paul Ausick

Photo of Paul Ausick
About the Author Paul Ausick →

Paul Ausick has been writing for 247Wallst.com for more than a decade. He has written extensively on investing in the energy, defense, and technology sectors. In a previous life, he wrote technical documentation and managed a marketing communications group in Silicon Valley.

He has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Chicago and now lives in Montana, where he fishes for trout in the summer and stays inside during the winter.

Continue Reading

Top Gaining Stocks

HPE Vol: 153,197,465
ENPH Vol: 8,360,053
GLW Vol: 18,152,646
APTV Vol: 6,761,325

Top Losing Stocks

TTD Vol: 21,905,513
INTU Vol: 7,383,018
CTRA Vol: 73,319,495
CBOE Vol: 5,000,011
HP
HPQ Vol: 29,259,826