Dearborn automaker Ford Motor Co. today announced sales increased 8.7 percent in September, with F-Series truck sales up 21.4 percent and transit van sales increasing 25.4 percent. The company’s total retail sales totaled 169,544 vehicles, a 4.4 percent increase compared to 2016.
“Our September sales were strong across the board – including retail, commercial, and government. We’re pleased to say recovery in Houston and Florida is moving quickly, with all of our dealers in the area now back up,” says Mark LaNeve, Ford’s vice president for U.S. marketing, sales, and service. “We couldn’t be happier with the tireless effort from our dealers, employees, and the countless first responders who are moving so quickly.”
Additionally, fleet sales totaled 52,704 vehicles, representing a 25.1 percent increase compared to 2016 due to order timing this year. Transit sales also totaled 13,456, a 25.4 percent increase for the van’s best September since its introduction in 2014.
Ford brand SUVs gained 8.8 percent on retail sales last month, its best retail performance since 2003. The Escape, Edge, Explorer, and Expedition all posted gains. Explorer specifically performed even better at retail, posting a 14.9 percent gain, its best performance in 13 years.
Focus retail sales increased 8.3 percent in September, supported by the Focus ST and RS. September represented the third straight month of sales gains for the Focus. Lincoln, MKX, MKC, and Navigator sales also posted sales gains, increasing 10.6 percent.
General Motors Co. also reported a 12 percent year-over-year increase in total sales for September, for a total of 279,397 units. The increase was driven by a 17 percent boost in sales at Chevrolet and a 9 percent jump at GMC.
Additionally, crossover deliveries increase 43 percent, truck sales increased 10 percent, and passenger cars decreased 11 percent. Accounting for 80 percent of sales, retail deliveries increased 8 percent for GM’s best September retail performance since 2007. GM’s U.S. retail share is also estimated to have increased .6 percentage points.
Commercial and government deliveries also increased 25 and 38 percent, respectively.
“Our new crossovers from Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac have been very well-received and Chevrolet had an outstanding month with the Silverado and Colorado,” says Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of sales operations. “We are entering the fourth quarter with strong momentum, great products, and a healthy economy.”
The Chevrolet brand posted its best September since 2004, including a 14 percent increase in Silverado sales, a record month for the Bolt EV, and a 69 percent and a 104 percent increase on the Equinox and Traverse, respectively.
Combined, Chevrolet’s electrified vehicles, the Bolt EV and Volt, totaled 3,929 deliveries. The Trax was also up 8 percent, and the Impala increased 7 percent.
Representing 84 percent of total sales, FCA US reported retail sales of 146,904 units, a .3 percent increase compared to Sept. 2016. Following the company’s strategy to reduce sales to the daily rental segment, fleet sales of 27,632 units were down, as expected, 41 percent year over year.
The largest planned volume reduction in September in fleet sales came from the Jeep brand, which reduced fleet sales by 67 percent year over year. Fleet sales represented 16 percent of total FCA US September sales.
Overall, Jeep and Ram Truck brand retail sales increased year over year, and the Jeep Compass sales increased 75 percent for its best September ever. The Jeep Renegade, Chrysler Pacifica, Ram ProMaster, and Ram ProMaster City each posted record September sales as well.
