Nov. 2006 Sales: Ford Motor Company

[Northstar]

FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPORTS NOVEMBER U.S. SALES

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?...8&make_id=trust

* Ford's November U.S. sales totaled 182,259, down 10 percent compared with a year ago.

* Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln MKZ pace car sales increase to retail customers.

* All-new Expedition (up 14 percent) and Navigator (up 65 percent) post double-digit gains in November.

* Ford November inventories are 122,000 units lower than a year ago.

* Ford updates fourth quarter 2006 North American production plan and announces first quarter 2007 plan.

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 1 – Ford Motor Company’s dealers delivered 182,259 vehicles to U.S. customers in November, down 10 percent compared with a year ago.

November car sales were 3 percent lower than a year ago, reflecting lower deliveries to fleet customers. Sales to individual retail customers were up reflecting higher sales for the company’s new mid-size sedans (Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ). Fusion was up 66 percent, Milan was up 29 percent and MKZ was up 83 percent. These 2007 models feature standard side-air bags and available all-wheel drive.

Overall, truck sales were down 13 percent, but the company's all-new, full-size sport utility vehicles (Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator) posted higher sales. Expedition sales were up 14 percent and Navigator sales were up 65 percent.

U.S. Inventories Lower

At the end of November, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury inventories were estimated at 631,000 units. This level is 122,000 units lower than a year ago. The company estimates 85 percent of the inventory is new 2007 models

North American Production

In the fourth quarter 2006, the company plans to produce 620,000 vehicles (240,000 cars and 380,000 trucks). This plan is 15,000 units lower than the previously-announced plan reflecting the temporary suspension of Freestar production at the Oakville Assembly Plant ( Ontario, Canada).

In the first quarter 2007, the company plans to produce 750,000 vehicles (240,000 cars and 510,000 trucks). In the first quarter 2006, the company produced 876,000 vehicles (316,000 cars and 560,000 trucks). Earlier, the company indicated first half 2007 production would be 8-12 percent lower than the first half 2006. The first quarter 2007 plan is consistent with the high end of this range.

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The Five Hundred tanked, Fusion was below its normal level, and the Mustang was the second best-selling car, in November, when RWD cars aren't supposed to sell, at least in the northern states. What does that say about the rest of Ford's lineup?

Expedition was up, but the F-150 was down, I wonder if that had anything to do with the Silverado and Sierra?

Not much else worth noting on the truck side.

The MKZ and Navigator both did well. Lincoln was up 12% and Mercury basically unchanged.

[Matt276]

Not good, considering that Toyota sold 196K units in november.

[hdmax]

Not good, considering that Toyota sold 196K units in november.

222721[/snapback]

This makes the second time this year that toyota out sold Ford. Next year will more then likely get really ugly!

[aaaantoine]

Yeah, pretty much.

From this point on it comes down to Toyota vs GM for the top spot.

[Chicagoland]

Oh well, Im not going to beat my head against the wall. The sales #'s were artificial for years by dumping into fleets at a loss. Now, more real #'s coming in.

Toyota can only go so far. GM showing an increase when they are supposedly 'dying' means Toyo won't take over everything.

Edited December 2, 2006 by Chicagoland

[chevelle454]

Could get uglier when they run out of Tauruses to sell.

[ehaase]

The only good news I see is the MKZ and the Navigator. What I find distressing is how several Chrysler division cars are outselling comparable Ford division cars, although incentives and fleet sales may cause some of that.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

It'll be okay... Ford is now, where GM was a year ago. They have some competitive stuff coming out and I'm sure we'll see some positive momentum then. The coldest hour comes just before the dawn

I am worried about Mercury though... Everybody (The media, the competition, the analysts) is biting at the bit to see Mercury crucified and I hope that doesn't happen. Afterall, Ford is the only member of the traditional big 3 (or Detroit 3 as Toyota and their minions in the media call them now) that hasn't shed a division in the modern era. Something tells me that making that happen would be a proud moment for many.

Toyota will be #1. That's been pre-ordained since the media turned on Detroit (For some unknown reason... It was like night and day)