June 2008 Sales: FoMoCo - Down 28% Overall - Down 19% DSR

[igor]

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FORD REPORTS JUNE, FIRST HALF SALES

June

* Ford, Lincoln and Mercury June sales totaled 167,090, down 28 percent versus year ago.
* Ford Focus’ sales to individual retail customers were 9 percent higher than a year ago.
* Ford Flex and Lincoln MKS debut.

First Half

* Ford, Lincoln and Mercury first half sales totaled 1.1 million, down 14 percent.
* Cars and crossovers accounted for 59 percent of first half retail sales; retail sales for cars were up 3 percent versus a year ago and crossovers also were up (less than 1 percent).
* Retail sales fell for SUVs (down 40 percent) and trucks and vans (down 31 percent).

DEARBORN, Mich., July 1, 2008 – In the first half of 2008, sales of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and crossovers to retail customers were higher than a year ago. Retail sales for cars increased 3 percent and crossovers also were up (less than 1 percent). Together, cars and crossovers accounted for 59 percent of Ford’s first half retail sales compared with 49 percent in the first half 2007.

“In the first half, Ford outperformed the industry in both the car and crossover segments,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Marketing and Communications. “This performance is crucial to creating an exciting viable Ford delivering profitable growth for all.”

Ford’s new Focus paced the increase in car sales. In the first half, Focus retail sales increased 53 percent versus a year ago, and Focus was the top-selling domestic car to retail customers. In the recently released J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 APEAL study, the Focus improved 88 index points – the largest improvement in the industry.

Mid-size cars also posted retail sales increases in the first half with Ford Fusion up 7 percent, Mercury Milan up 2 percent and Lincoln MKZ up 10 percent.

The Ford Edge paced crossovers with first half retail sales up 19 percent.

Gasoline prices increased a dollar (from $3 to $4 a gallon) during the first half and this accelerated the decline in SUV and truck sales. In the first half, retail sales for the company’s SUVs declined 40 percent versus a year ago and retail sales for trucks and vans declined 31 percent.

First half fleet sales declined 11 percent (including a 20 percent decline in daily rental sales).

Overall, June sales of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles totaled 167,090, down 28 percent versus a year ago. First half sales totaled 1.1 million, down 14 percent.

“Consumer fundamentals and consumer confidence deteriorated as the first half unfolded,” said Farley. “The economy enters the second half of the year with a notable absence of momentum and a high degree of uncertainty.”

He added, “Clearly, the rapid rise in gasoline prices, and the resulting shift toward fuel efficient vehicles, has been challenging, but it also provides an opportunity. In addition to adjusting our capacity and production plans to produce more cars and crossovers, we are introducing several new vehicles with class-leading fuel economy.”

In June, Ford introduced a new crossover, the Flex, with best-in-class highway fuel economy of 24 miles per gallon and Lincoln introduced the MKS. In 2009, the MKS will be the first vehicle equipped with Ford’s new EcoBoost engine technology.

The 2009 model Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner started production in June. Equipped with a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed transmission, the Escape and Mariner deliver best-in-class fuel economy in the small utility segment with 28 highway miles per gallon. The Escape and Mariner Hybrid remains the most fuel-efficient utility vehicle on the planet, delivering 34 city mpg and improved highway rating of 31 mpg – up from 30 mpg.

Later this year, production of the redesigned Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ will begin, including new Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid versions.

In addition, Ford has announced plans to bring the European Transit Connect to North America in 2009 – the most fuel-efficient commercial van on the market.

Note: The sales data included in this release and the accompanying tables are based largely on data reported by dealers representing their sales to retail and fleet customers.

[RamJet502]

SUV and truck sales tanking, goodbye profitablity. Hopefully the Big 3 can stay afloat.

[GMC-70]

WOW--the economy is tanking big time! This is getting a little scary.
Volvo down 25% too--so it's not just SUV's suffering.

[Hitman1970]

I would still throw any development funds at better cars. The truck market will not be helped with new interiors. Also, I do not think even 2-3 MPG improvements would bring customers back at these prices. Improve what will sell now (CARS) and get back to pre-1994 expectation levels for trucks/SUV.

[1931Chevy]

I think that the so called analysts where damn wrong because I feel like the second half of 08 will be worse than the first

[triadecho]

GM sales are expected to be down 25% to go along with Ford.

Last night on Mad Money, Jim Cramer described both Ford and GM stock as "worthless" in an ocean of debt to their bondholders.

[osv_alero]

This will hurt us all in the end. It is very sad to see Ford take such a dive so fast.

[shabodah]

We just received our first Flex here at this dealership. I'm confused how 24mpg highway is "class leading." Furthermore, our model, very well equipped, is rated 16/22 and MSRP is $41k. I don't see ANY market for this vehicle.

[1931Chevy]

it looks like the stock market is happy because this morning the stock hitted 4.41 and now they are at 4.88

[igor]

Originally Posted by shabodah

We just received our first Flex here at this dealership. I'm confused how 24mpg highway is "class leading." Furthermore, our model, very well equipped, is rated 16/22 and MSRP is $41k. I don't see ANY market for this vehicle.

I am SO glad you are responsible for selling this vehicle to customers .. delighted actually.

Compare 17/24 to the competition - Pilot: 16/23 - Highlander 16/24 - both significantly smaller yet no more efficient. The Lambdas are 16/24 currently and will be 17/24 in the fall.

The model you have got is ..... wait of it ... AWD .. TA DAH!!!- 16/22 - also top-of-its-segment mileage.

And per price - price out a well optioned Highlander, Pilot, Outlook, or Acadia and come back.

As of June the Flex almost outsold the Outlook with 1,300 sales (Outlook had 1,500)

Igor

[Grifter_35]

The Pilot is 17/23 and 16/22, while the Highlander is 18/24 and 17/23. Easy enough to look up.

[igor]

Originally Posted by Grifter_35

The Pilot is 17/23 and 16/22, while the Highlander is 18/24 and 17/23. Easy enough to look up.

thanks - sorry was lazy in the previous post.

Igor

[jorgesalazar521@msn.com]

Originally Posted by igor

I am SO glad you are responsible for selling this vehicle to customers .. delighted actually.

Compare 17/24 to the competition - Pilot: 16/23 - Highlander 16/24 - both significantly smaller yet no more efficient. The Lambdas are 16/24 currently and will be 17/24 in the fall.

The model you have got is ..... wait of it ... AWD .. TA DAH!!!- 16/22 - also top-of-its-segment mileage.

And per price - price out a well optioned Highlander, Pilot, Outlook, or Acadia and come back.

As of June the Flex almost outsold the Outlook with 1,300 sales (Outlook had 1,500)

Igor

and this guy sells fords for a living, i wonder how much history and interest on selling ford vehicles. Man find a job suited to u really! not just a job---thats what wrong with america today. i know all the history for the companies i worked for--i chose them, and enjoyed my jobs.

[FoMoCo Fan]

I thought MkF was supposed to be working his magic by now?

[zete]

Originally Posted by triadecho

GM sales are expected to be down 25% to go along with Ford.

Last night on Mad Money, Jim Cramer described both Ford and GM stock as "worthless" in an ocean of debt to their bondholders.

GM is down 18%.

As for Cramer, didn't he tell us to keep our Bear Stearns stock that it was worth a huge amount of cash. It was foolproof?

My bet is to buy what Cramer sells and sell what Cramer buys. He seems to be rarely right, but does right by himself.