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Ford Motor’s U.S. vehicle sales fell 6.6% year over year in the third quarter to 509,764 units, with the automaker phasing out its Escape and Lincoln Corsair crossover models, Reuters reported Friday, October 2.
Truck and hybrid sales show areas of strength
Ford’s truck sales increased 0.5% to 315,112 vehicles. Sales of the Maverick pickup, available with a hybrid powertrain, rose more than 20% to 41,970 units, according to the report. Ford executives also told Reuters they were seeing greater demand for hybrid powertrains, including in the F-150.
The results came amid higher fuel and household costs. Reuters reported that the average U.S. price for regular gasoline reached $4.43 a gallon in September, compared with $3.20 a year earlier, citing AAA. The report also noted that affordability remains a challenge for car buyers even as auto loan rates have declined.
Ford’s sales decline was similar to those of its Detroit peers, Reuters said, as automakers face competition from Asian manufacturers with hybrid-heavy lineups. The company’s overall quarterly sales figure includes its U.S. vehicle deliveries across its brands.
