Ford Copes with CARS Closure in September

US-based car manufacturer Ford today announced that September represents the 11th time in the last 12 month when the company managed to gain retail market share, with sales dropping only 6 percent as compared to the same period of the last year. Nevertheless, the company estimates that 2 points of market have been gained last month as compared to September 2008 and the third quarter.

“Our balanced new lineup of high-quality, fuel-efficient products helped us navigate through an exceptional period in industry sales,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “With its volatile sales peaks and valleys and dramatic segment shifts, the third quarter was a great test of our One Ford Plan – building a range of vehicles from small cars to hard-working trucks.”

Obviously, Ford's small and fuel efficient models continued to top sales in the United States, even if the Cash for Clunkers scheme ended in August. Here are the main financial results for September, as provided by Ford:

• Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 109,939, down 6 percent versus a year ago. Retail sales were down 14 percent, and fleet sales were up 23 percent.
• The all-new Taurus bucked an industry trend as September sales (5,077 vehicles) were 60 percent higher than a year ago and 49 percent higher than August.
• Ford’s F-Series truck, America’s best-selling vehicle, posted its second consecutive sales increase in September (up 4 percent).
• Ford’s new EcoBoost engine technology is winning customers, too. EcoBoost is standard on the Taurus SHO and available on the Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT, a new full-size luxury crossover. September EcoBoost sales nearly tripled August sales, and order rates for EcoBoost continue to exceed planned rates.