Ford Motor Co. today released its first-quarter results. A 1.6-percent drop in vehicle sales year-over-year occurred due to a 23.7-percent decrease in car sales, while SUV sales were up 5 percent and truck sales were up 4.1 percent. The company sold 590,249 vehicles.
“First-quarter 2019 sales were solid for Ford,” says Mark LaNeve, vice president of U.S. marketing, sales, and service. “Our winning portfolio continues to deliver. F-Series expanded our leadership position while others slugged it out for second place. We have a close connection with our customers, allowing us to deliver what they need in their trucks. It can also be seen in our record sales of Ford SUVs as well as Lincoln’s significant growth.”
F-150 and Super Duty combined sales numbered 94,585 trucks. The average transaction price for the F-Series was $47,454. Ford sold 9,421 Rangers. Combined with the F-Series, this reflects Ford’s best first-quarter pickup sales in 15 years.
SUV sales increased 3.5 percent compared to last year, representing a new first-quarter record of 193,753 vehicles. Expedition sales were up 61.9 percent, selling 21,773. Combined, Ford and Lincoln SUV sales are up 5 percent.
The Transit Connect and F-Series sales increased year-over-year. Ford sold more than 50,000 vans in the first quarter.
Lincoln saw its best start to the year in more than a decade, delivering an 11.2-percent gain in the first quarter. The SUV lineup boosted the growth.
