Canadian auto sales down, but Ford bucks the trend

[doh]

http://www.reuters.com/article/marke...0091001?rpc=44

TORONTO, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co of Canada (F.N) bucked the trend in September, posting comfortably higher auto sales as the broader Canadian industry continued to slide.

Auto sales in Canada fell for an 11th straight month, industry figures showed on Thursday, but Ford Canada managed to post its fourth consecutive month of gains, rounding out its strongest quarterly sales increase in six years.

Overall Canadian sales were down 3.5 percent from a year earlier to 129,503 units, as the market continued to slowly rebound from much steeper declines earlier in the year, according to data from DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc.

In the United States, auto sales dropped more than 20 percent as customers stopped going to showrooms after the U.S. government ended its "cash for clunkers" incentive program, which helped revive sales this summer. [ID:nN01282446]

The Canadian government did not have a similar program, but in recent weeks Ford, General Motors [GM.UL] and others started their own incentive programs in Canada to try to win back customers.

Ford, which offers up to C$3,000 ($2,800) towards a new vehicle in its "Recycle Your Ride" program, has been enjoying some success, David Mondragon, Ford Canada's president and chief executive, said in an interview.

"It's bringing in incremental sales to the Ford brand; nearly 55 percent of sales under this program are new customers to the Ford brand."

Ford was the only Detroit-based auto company not to rely on government aid to survive the brutal industry downturn.

Ford Canada's September sales were up 24.3 percent to 16,159. Car sales rose 33.2 percent, while trucks were up 21.4 percent.

Dennis DesRosiers, president of DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, said in a note that Ford's greater financial strength relative to its competitors was a factor in its success, but that product was the key.

"Ford has clearly shown, if you get your product right then it is possible to turn around market share losses and actually grow market share," he said.

Ford's Mondragon said the company's third-quarter results for Canada were up 26 percent on a year over year basis.

Chrysler Canada (FIA.MI), which exited bankruptcy in June, also saw its car sales climb, but not enough to outweigh a slide in trucks, which dragged down its overall numbers.

Chrysler said total sales dropped 7.3 percent year-on-year to 15,857 units. The company said that, due mainly to the strength of its Brampton, Ontario-built Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, passenger car sales rose 18.7 percent to 3,503 units. Truck sales fell 12.8 percent, to 12,354.

General Motors remained the No. 1 automaker in Canada, with 23,778 units sold, although that was down 23.4 percent from September 2008. GM's car sales plunged 52.4 percent while truck sales rose 5.3 percent.

Toyota Canada Inc's (7203.T) sales fell 9.5 percent

[Simon says]

Go Ford!!

[yyz_ltz]

Originally Posted by Simon says

Go Ford!!

Ford should enjoy it while they can. Next year at this time the numbers will be quite different. The numbers for each month this year don't tell the whole story as 2008 was as worse a year as any for all automakers. GM still sells more cars than Ford and will continue to do so with such a great lineup. Better days ahead.

[ARCANGEL]

Originally Posted by yyz_ltz

Ford should enjoy it while they can. Next year at this time the numbers will be quite different. The numbers for each month this year don't tell the whole story as 2008 was as worse a year as any for all automakers. GM still sells more cars than Ford and will continue to do so with such a great lineup. Better days ahead.

dont count your chickens before they hatch many of them are stillborn... your post is mere speculation and assumption. right now Ford is being run smartly and it is showing, numbers don't lie.

[doh]

FORD CANADA SALES UP 24% DRIVEN BY STRONG CAR PERFORMANCE

Third-quarter results mark a 26% increase in sales: best quarterly sales increase since 2003





September Highlights:

· Overall vehicle sales up 24% compared to last September

· Car sales increased 33% compared to same period last year

· Ford Focus increased sales by 17%

· Ford Fusion sales rose 77%

· Ford Taurus sales were up 201%

· Ford Mustang sales increased 42%

· Ford Escape sales rose 7%, marks the best September on record

· Ford Edge sales up 34%, marks the best September on record

· Ford Flex sales were up 10%, marks the best September on record

· Ford Explorer sales rose 90%

· Ford F-150 sales saw an increase of 56%

· Lincoln MKS sales increased 60%, marks the best September on record

· Lincoln MKX sales rose 26%, marks the best September on record

[Elvisuperman]

Ford is benefitting from being the only American automaker not to take the bailout money.
I admit though, there are a lot of other factors that have helped FORD as well, including better management... but lets be honest, GM is also doing a lot better than most thought it would considering it just went through bankruptcy.

[Simon says]

Originally Posted by yyz_ltz

Ford should enjoy it while they can. Next year at this time the numbers will be quite different. The numbers for each month this year don't tell the whole story as 2008 was as worse a year as any for all automakers. GM still sells more cars than Ford and will continue to do so with such a great lineup. Better days ahead.

Did you read what you just wrote? If 2008 was that bad then 2009 is turning out to be much worse, except for Ford . . . and for now, that's the whole story.

And believe me, Ford is enjoying it a whole lot. So am I.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by ARCANGEL

dont count your chickens before they hatch many of them are stillborn... your post is mere speculation and assumption. right now Ford is being run smartly and it is showing, numbers don't lie.

Yes, but saying anything to the contrary is also "speculation and assumption," as none of us can see the future. While GM may be trending downward at the moment (compared to last year), total sales are still higher than Ford's. Like you said, "numbers don't lie." Ford may be "run smartly," but until the sales/profit numbers back it up, that is also "speculation and assumption."

[FoMoCo man]

Originally Posted by Simon says

Did you read what you just wrote? If 2008 was that bad then 2009 is turning out to be much worse, except for Ford . . . and for now, that's the whole story.

And believe me, Ford is enjoying it a whole lot. So am I.

agreed!!!!

[ARCANGEL]

Originally Posted by K-1

Yes, but saying anything to the contrary is also "speculation and assumption," as none of us can see the future. While GM may be trending downward at the moment (compared to last year), total sales are still higher than Ford's. Like you said, "numbers don't lie." Ford may be "run smartly," but until the sales/profit numbers back it up, that is also "speculation and assumption."

Last I checked ford made profit last quarter and is going to do it again this quarter while they continue to grow market share two quarters in a row. So speculation no the trend is there and it's continuing.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by ARCANGEL

Last I checked ford made profit last quarter and is going to do it again this quarter while they continue to grow market share two quarters in a row. So speculation no the trend is there and it's continuing.

IIRC, Ford had an operating loss for Q2. Until Q3 earnings are released, Ford has yet to trend in the black. So, yes, it is speculation. It's good to be optimistic, but you're taking it a bit far.

[ARCANGEL]

Originally Posted by K-1

IIRC, Ford had an operating loss for Q2. Until Q3 earnings are released, Ford has yet to trend in the black. So, yes, it is speculation. It's good to be optimistic, but you're taking it a bit far.

Ok let's put it this way when you look at the companies which seems to have direction, good guidence and profitability in the future and which looks lost unorganized and directionless still!?

[K-1]

Originally Posted by ARCANGEL

Ok let's put it this way when you look at the companies which seems to have direction, good guidence and profitability in the future and which looks lost unorganized and directionless still!?

Chrysler?

[ARCANGEL]

Originally Posted by K-1

Chrysler?

Lol that could well be but as of this moment it is still vapor untill it starts to materialize. Ford is already starting to bear fruit

[K-1]

Originally Posted by ARCANGEL

Lol that could well be but as of this moment it is still vapor untill it starts to materialize. Ford is already starting to bear fruit

Again, until the Q3 financials come out, that's all speculation. It's not all roses over at Ford. Fleet sales were way up last month and retail was down. The market is still very much in a state of flux.