Trucks fuel big sales increases for GM and Ford

(February 3, 2015) The two largest automakers in North America both reported their best January sales in years with double digit sales increase over January 2014. General Motors sales were up 18 percent and Ford reported a 15 percent increase.

General Motors dealers in the United States delivered 202,786 vehicles last month for the company’s best January sales in seven years. Total sales were up 18 percent compared to a year ago. Retail sales were up 14 percent and fleet deliveries were up 32 percent.

Ford posted a 15 percent sales increase in the U.S. in January, with sales of 178,351 vehicles. Retail sales of 128,666 vehicles marked a 13 percent increase, providing the best retail January results since 2004.

“Consumers feel very good because more people are working, the U.S. economy is expanding and fuel prices are low,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “Consumer and commercial demand for trucks and crossovers is really driving our business, and our move into the small crossover segment with the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore, and mid-size pickups with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, was well-timed.”

Year-over-year pickup deliveries increased 42 percent, following last month’s 43 percent increase. Large pickup sales were up 22 percent and more than 8,000 all-new mid-size trucks were delivered. GM is the only U.S.-based automaker competing in this segment.

Sales of crossovers and SUVs were up 36 percent year over year, with the Chevrolet Equinox and Traverse, the GMC Terrain and the Buick Encore all posting their highest January sales ever. Chevrolet will unveil a refreshed Equinox at the Chicago Auto Show on February 12.

At Ford, retail passenger car sales were up 6 percent, utilities saw a 10 percent increase, and trucks gained 23 percent.

“Customer demand is strong for our newest vehicles, driving retail sales gains across our lineup in January,” said Erich Merkle, U.S. sales analyst. “Momentum is especially strong for our F-Series pickup, with the all-new F-150 the hottest product on our dealer lots in January.”

F-Series, America’s best-selling truck for the 38th straight year, posted sales gains of 17 percent in January, with 54,370 trucks sold last month. This was F-Series’ best January sales volume since 2004 – an all-time annual record sales year for F-Series.

Part of F-Series’ strength is the all-new F-150. It is the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever, with best-in-class payload, towing and gasoline fuel economy and recently named 2015 North American Truck of the Year. It is averaging just 12 days on dealer lots. High-end Platinum and King Ranch F-150 are turning even faster, averaging just 9 and 10 days on dealer lots, respectively.

Transit Connect sales also increased 72 percent last month, for record January sales with 3,689 vehicles. Combined, Ford sales of Transit, E-Series, and Transit Connect totaled 13,377 vans, marking Ford’s best January sales results for vans since 2001.

Escape sales of 20,054 vehicles increased 3 percent last month versus a year ago, for the utility’s best-ever January. Explorer sales of 14,995 vehicles were up 28 percent, marking its best January sales since 2005.

Mustang sales more than doubled last month with sales of 8,694 vehicles. This represents a 124 percent increase versus last year and marks Mustang’s best January sales since 2007.

Lincoln sales increased 11 percent last month versus January 2014, with 6,619 vehicles sold, providing Lincoln with its best January results in five years. MKC continues to build Lincoln momentum, along with Navigator, which realized a 144 percent sales increase for the month.