The Economy

Fords August Sales Dip 11%

Sept. 1, 2010

Automakers fourth-quarter production will be lower than last years.

Ford Motor Co.s sales in August were down 11% versus a year ago, the company reported today.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers delivered 157,503 new vehicles in August, compared with 176,323 vehicles in August 2009.

Like rival GM, which saw its August sales tumble nearly 25%, Ford was quick to point out that vehicle sales were surging in August 2009, when the Cash for Clunkers program still was in effect.

Among the Ford models that saw the steepest year-over-year declines were the Focus and the Escape. Sales of the Focus dropped from 25,547 units in August 2009 to 15,466 in August 2010; sales of the Escape dropped from 20,933 units to 14,838.

The automaker noted that it plans to produce 570,000 vehicles in fourth-quarter 2010, down from 574,000 in fourth-quarter 2009.

The Ford plan is to match capacity with real demand, and we continue to monitor the key economic indicators as we make adjustments, said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. marketing, sales and service.

Fords year-to-date U.S. sales are up 18.3% versus last year, with truck sales up 27.2%. The automaker also boasted that August marked the 22nd time in the last 23 months that it grew its retail market share.

Ford continues to outperform the overall industry, Czubay said.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.