Ford Trucks, Lincoln Buoy November Sales

Sales of Ford’s F-Series pickups continue to roar toward what could be the 800,000-unit mark for the year, lifting overall sales and average transaction prices to what the Dearborn automaker calls its best retail sales month in 12 years.

Ford says its best-selling F-Series posted its best November since 2001, boosting companywide sales 5% in November. The automaker’s light-vehicle sales totaled 191,715 for the month, up 5% compared with year-ago but off 3.3% on a daily-sales basis, WardsAuto data shows. The month had 25 selling days, up two from 2015.

Despite continued headwinds for cars, down 17% for the month and 13% for the year to 642,841, the company remains committed to the segment, says Mark LaNeve, vice president-U.S. marketing, sales and service.

While overall car inventory is off by 30,000 units compared with year-ago levels, LaNeve says “we in no way see the car market going away” as sales of Fusion and Focus sedans remain strong.
At the same time, LaNeve is heartened by big increases in Ford truck and SUV sales. F-Series, including light- and heavy-duty pickups, grew 11% year-over-year to 72,089, Ford says. Light-duty F-Series pickup sales totaled 67,393 for the month, up 2.2%, WardsAuto data shows. Transit and Transit Connect utility van sales declined 29% and 41% respectively, a trend Ford attributes to increased competition in the segment.

Ford says overall SUV sales jumped 19%, with volume up more than 10,000 units year-over-year to 65,459. WardsAuto data shows SUV sales were led by the Expedition (+61%), Edge (+21%) and Lincoln MKX (+20%).

Ford trucks and SUVs made up 73% of overall sales for the company through November, up from 69% year-ago.

The Ford brand was down 3.9% on a daily-sales basis for the month while Lincoln continued to buck a flat premium segment with a 9.6% daily-sales increase in November. In addition to MKX sales, the luxury brand was paced by the all-new Continental with 1,419 sales for the month. The flagship sedan is spending just 13 days on dealer lots, LaNeve says.

LaNeve says incentives were up $460 in November, below the industry average increase of $570, with average transaction prices up $1,000 to $34,900 per vehicle. High-trim level Super Duty pickup sales continue to boost transaction prices, he says.

Ford reported inventory of 654,000 vehicles, an 83-day supply, up from 650,000 vehicles and a 90-day supply in October, but down from the 665,000 units and 85-day supply in November 2015.

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