Soundbites: January 2012 Sales
Ford Motor Company U.S. sales totaled 136,710 vehicles in January, a 7 percent increase versus year-old levels. Erich Merkle, Ford Sales analyst said the Ford brand totaled 131,589 vehicles in January, making it the best January sales month for the Ford brand since 2008.
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| Cut #1: |
"We really saw growth in small car sales and we saw growth in small utility sales, they really lead the way, really driving our growth was the Focus." :12 sec. |
| According to Merkle, the Ford Focus contributed to 30 percent of Ford Motor Company sales growth in January, more than any other vehicle in the Ford product lineup, especially on the West coast. | |
| Cut #2: |
"Most folks will know that California is the largest new car market in the country, and within that market, small cars represent 30% of their total sales. Focus was up, in California our retail sales were up 86-percent last month and this compares to a 55-percent increase in the fourth quarter of last year. So certainly we are seeing continued growth coming out of the California market and this is particularly important as Ford is not only worked to diversify its portfolio of products, but also diversify its regional mix and expand to the coast." :43 sec. |
| At the other end of the spectrum sales of the Ford Explorer totaled 9,966 units, a 36 percent gain versus strong year-ago results. | |
| Cut #3: |
"The Ford Explorer was up 36-percent in the month of January and what makes that such a stronger statement is the fact that last year the Explorer was up 76-percent so this is on top of a 76-percent move last year, and now couple that with a 36 percent move this year, Ford Explorer continues to do very well in the market." :24 sec. |
| Merkle says the average of vehicles on the road is growing and creating pent-up demand which should help continue the momentum of buying new vehicles. | |
| Cut #4: |
"As confidence builds with the consumer they have to make a new car buying decisions, or car buying decisions, every day it happens across the country, many of them are choosing new as opposed to used." :12 sec. |
| According to Merkle, the country is seeing some strengthening in many of the economic indicators that are helping push auto sales in the right direction. |