Soundbites: February 2011 Sales
Consumer demand for Ford’s fuel-efficient vehicles continues to grow as February retail sales increased 23 percent versus a year ago, which follows January's 27 percent retail sales increase. Ford's Sales analyst George Pipas says the numbers show that Ford is growing profitably.
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| Cut #1: |
"You know, we're starting the year, first two-months, with sales up 25% the data in the industry suggests that we're growing profitability and that's our plan, build products that people want to buy and value and grow profitably." :15 sec. |
With gas prices skyrocketing, Pipas says, Ford is now in a better position then they were the last time there was a spike in prices at the pump, now Ford has the Fiesta and it's proving to be a buyers choice. |
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| Cut #2: |
"The Fiesta had its best month ever, the product just continues to grow, and its share of the sub compact segment increases every month since it was introduced." :10 sec. |
Pipas says Fiesta is helping to increase Ford Motor Company sales on both the East and the West coast. |
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| Cut #3: |
"The interesting thing about our results this year, is that as we've filled out our product line with really world class cars and crossovers the biggest retail sales gains are on the east coast and California. In the first two months of this year our Ford brand retail sales are up 33 percent." |
At the other end of the spectrum you have the Explorer, which saw retail sales climb 268 percent, in spite of the high gasoline prices. |
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| Cut #4: |
"The Explorer is the most fuel efficient, mid-large sport utility vehicle, so we feel like we're well positioned I mean compared with three-years ago, we can take advantage of this situation in a way that we couldn't three-years ago." :14 sec. |
With oil prices nearing $100 per barrel and gasoline prices continuing to rise, Pipas says the new Ford Explorer is still popular because it has been able to keep up with the times, by having a 25% fuel economy improvement, compared with the old model, so if consumers have the need for a larger vehicle they don't have to compromise. |
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| Cut #5: |
"As people know the car is beautifully done, built on the Taurus platform it provides a level of ride and handling that the old Explorer couldn't match and in addition to the 25% fuel economy it's got 80 more horsepower." :13 sec. |
In the second quarter, Ford plans to build 710,000 vehicles up 57,000 vehicles or 9 percent compared with the second quarter of 2010. In the first quarter, Ford plans to build 650,000 vehicles, which is unchanged from the previous forecast. |