Ford Motor Co. sales increased 6.4 percent in June versus a year ago with 239,096 vehicles sold, while FCA LLC US reported U.S. June sales of 197,073 units, a 6.5 percent increase compared to last year and the group’s best June sales in 11 years. General Motor Co. sold a total of 255,210 vehicles in June, down 1.6 percent year-over-year.
Ford reports its first-half total U.S. sales increased 5 percent to 1,353,048 vehicles, which is the company’s best result in a decade.
Ford says its truck sales, which were up 24 percent, contributed to its sales growth. The company sold more than 500,000 trucks in the first half of 2016, which it says was driven by its F-Series sales of 70,937 vehicles, a 29 percent increase year-over-year and its best June sales performance in more than a decade.
Ford brand SUVs also had its best-ever first half with 395,116 total vehicles sold — up 9 percent versus a year ago. Ford SUVs posted a 7 percent increase last month with 69,641 vehicles sold, marking the best June in 15 years. Escape sales were up 20 percent.
“Strong customer demand has helped us continue growing our truck leadership position, further widening the gap with our nearest competitor versus last year,” says Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president of U.S. Marketing, Sales, and Service. “Consumer demand for Ford SUVs also continues to surge to all-time highs.”
FCA’s also cited its SUV and Truck sales as contributing to its sales growth, with its Jeep, Dodge, and RAM Truck brands each posting year-over-year sales gains in June. The Jeep brand’s 17 percent increase was the brand’s best June sales ever, while Ram achieved its best June sales in a decade.
The Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Renegade each posted their best June sales ever. Sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee were up 9 percent for its best June sales since 2005.
Ram Truck brand sales were up 14 percent for its best June sales in a decade. Ram pickup truck sales increased 14 percent in June, the pickup’s best June sales since 2004.
“In spite of some severe stock market volatility in June, the American consumer stayed focus on buying new vehicles,” says Reid Bigland, senior vice president of sales for FCA North America.
GM sold 209,295 vehicles to individual or retail customers in June, up more than 1 percent year-over-year, which it says was driven by increases at Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac of 3 percent, 2 percent, and 5 percent, respectively.
Through the first six months of the year, the company’s retail sales are up more than 1 percent and retail share is up 0.4 percentage points.
Year to date, Chevrolet retail sales are up 3 percent and retail share has grown 0.5 percentage points, and Buick retail deliveries have grown 4 percent and Buick has gained 0.1 percentage points of retail share.
Mustafa Mohaterm, GM’s chief economist, says the company’s retail sales strength is reflected in the ongoing sales performance of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups.
