Soundbites: May 2011 Sales
Consumer demand remained strong in May for Ford’s new fuel-efficient vehicles and powertrains, bringing significant year-over-year sales gains for small cars and Explorer. George Pipas, Ford Motor Companies Sales analyst said strong demand for Ford's new fuel- efficient vehicles and powertrains continued during the month of May.
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"All things considered, I think this was a very good month for Ford." :03 sec.
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Ford’s two all-new small cars combined had sales of 29,423 in May, up 74 percent versus a year ago. Pipas did say the industry and Ford probably could have done better if there had been more inventory of the most fuel efficient products. |
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"Despite the fact that there was limited availability, Ford sales managed to match the year-ago levels, when we were not in period of shortages and our retail sales were higher, five-percent." :16 sec.
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Truck sales were lower in May, with higher gas prices likely causing some buyers to defer purchases, but Ford's F-Series truck remained the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. with May sales of 42,399 which Pipes believes is linked to the new powertrains that were not available a year ago. |
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"Five-months ago we sold V-8's exclusively in the F-150, then the new powertrains were introduced in January and it took 5-months time and the V-6's outsold the V-8's….unheard of…nobody would have believed it. So the new EcoBoost accounted for 41-percent of the sales and the 3.7 liter V-6 accounted for 14." :22 sec.
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Meanwhile, Pipas went on to talk about the Explorer sales which topped previous sales by 135 percent. |
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"Explorer sales were the highest they've been in four-years. First time since then we've been over 13-thousand and once again sales were more than doubled year ago levels. Do you know next month, we will likely surpass last years full-year sales for the Explorer.":16
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Year-to-date, total sales were 878,600, up 12 percent. Retail sales were up 14 percent, and fleet sales were up 8 percent. |
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"Even when gas prices are advancing we’re able to compete in this market really effectively in a way that we've never been able to do it before, and keep the sales momentum going. I think it's a very positive month for Ford." :14 sec.
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In the third quarter, Ford plans to produce 630,000 vehicles in its North American assembly plants, up 44,000 (8 percent) versus third quarter 2010. |
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