Hold off buying until the rebates come. This is the eighth time this year their sales have been down.

Ford sales off again in October; Nissan posts record results


JOHN PORRETTO

Associated Press

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DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday new vehicle sales in October fell 5 percent from October 2003, the eighth time this year monthly sales have been below year-ago results. Nissan Motor Co.'s U.S. arm, meantime, had no such problems, riding a slew of new products to its best October on record.

Sales of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brand trucks were up 3 percent at the nation's second-largest automaker, but that demand was not nearly enough to offset a 22 percent decline in car sales - an all-too familiar trend for Ford this year.

Combined sales for Nissan and its luxury Infiniti division were up 27.3 percent in October from a year ago, the best October ever for Nissan North America. Truck sales climbed 46 percent from a year ago on strong demand for the new Nissan Pathfinder and the Titan full-size pickup, the Japanese automaker's first entry in that category.

"Sales of the Titan continue to increase even in a very competitive segment," said Jed Connelly, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Nissan's North American division.

Despite the year-over-year drop in business, Ford officials said they were bullish on prospects for the remainder of 2004 and beyond, given the recent rollout of several new cars and trucks, some of which are just beginning to reach showrooms in significant numbers.

They include the Ford Five Hundred flagship sedan, Freestyle crossover vehicle, Escape Hybrid sport utility vehicle and Mustang sports car.

Ford said last week that October sales of the Five Hundred and Freestyle - their first full month on the market - had exceeded company expectations. The Dearborn-based automaker said it has taken 50,000 orders for the Five-Hundred and 30,000 orders for the Freestyle.

"We're very encouraged by the early dealer and consumer response to our new products," said Jim O'Connor, Ford's group vice president for North American marketing, sales and service. "We have our sights set on stronger retail sales in the months ahead."

Korean automakers Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. posted double-digit sales gains for October - Hyundai up 15 percent and Kia, aided by aggressive marketing and new vehicles, up 51 percent.

Other major automakers, including General Motors Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group, were scheduled to release October results later Wednesday.

Analysts have predicted U.S. auto sales, which surged to the second-highest level of 2004 in September, likely cooled in October, more so for Detroit's Big Three carmakers than foreign brands.

Heavy-but-costly incentive spending at the end of September may have pulled ahead a portion of October sales for some automakers, while sagging consumer confidence may have hurt business, observers say.

In afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Ford shares were up 15 cents to $13.39.

 

Well these numbers can be deceptive. The new line off Ford cars. Mustang,500 and freestyle. Most dealers just recieved those the middle off the month and they have been selling really well. Fords just starting to run adds on the new vehicles. With big promotional ads. When the next several months are said and done Ford will make a huge comeback inthe car business. Give it some time Ford will be back big time. Ford truck sales have been having one off the best sales years in the history of Ford. they were up over twenty some percent a month ago. And still up 3%. Fords priority one is the F-series and sales have been stellar. The cars have just came out but give it time. Fords back.

 

The reason I posted this was maybe to help save some money for those in the market for a new car or truck.

I have a deal pending on a new Mercury Montego Premier. The car we had picked out was sold at an out of state dealer and now they are waiting for another to be built.

Finally found a dealer that wanted to talk a fair price. He knew, that I knew where invoice and then some, was at on this car. Two other dealers wouldn't budge off full retail. LOL!!! I wouldn't even pay full retail for a new GT40!

Dealers around the Dallas area still have nothing, in terms of Ford or Mercury's new cars, for 2005.

With the new 500 and the Mustang, I think sales could really hit big time. Especially the Stang!