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SOUNDBITES: JUNE 2009 SALES
Customer demand for new products helped Ford Motor Company increase market share in June. Ford Sales Analyst George Pipas says it appears Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales had the lowest decline among major auto manufacturers.
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| Cut #1: |
"We did well, our decline compared with last June was 11 percent, the industry decline, including us, compared with a year ago was down about 27 percent. Once again our market share is higher than it was a year ago and we've seen that consistently over the last nine months." :23 sec. |
| Pipas points to Ford products for the increase in market share and a lower sales decline. | |
| Cut #2: |
"That's where our gains are coming from, particularly the new product, The F-150, The Fusion has really picked up share in its midsize car segment and the Hybrids have been very strong for us, we had another record Hybrid sales month. So it's mostly the product that has been introduced in the last nine months that has been driving our market share gains." :24 sec. |
| Pipas says the company has been able to balance their inventories and the customer demand which is about where they want to be. | |
| Cut #3: |
"You get your production lined up with demand, get the inventories levels down, introduce new products that people want to buy, and one of the encouraging sings that we've seen in recent quarters is a consistent increase in the way people view us, consideration for the Ford primary brand has increased and the other metrics, in what we call the purchase funnel, beyond their opinion of us, is whether they would consider one of our products and all of the metrics in the purchase funnel are improving." :36 sec. |
| The perception of Ford has improved, according to Pipas, but the Ford purchase funnel could be more robust. | |
| Cut #4: |
"We could say well that's a negative, but I guess I look at it as an opportunity, because if we can continue to lead in fuel economy, and make progress every quarter in quality, bring in the technology and features that people want, deliver resale value when it comes time to trade, those customers are more likely to choose Ford again." :20 sec. |
| According to Pipas, "Cash for Clunkers" is an incentive program that should help continue to improve sales. | |
| Cut #5: |
"What we were doing in June is what we're going to do in July plus Clunkers and I think the interest in the program may drive people to the showroom, or may drive curious people to the show room or to our website, even if their vehicle is not eligible and they're going to get to see all of the great Ford products." :16 sec. |
| Given tightly controlled inventories and higher-than-expected demand for its products Ford will increase third-quarter production by 25,000 vehicles, up 16 percent versus a year ago. |