Ford’s 2010 sales up 19 per cent

Ford’s full-year sales in 2010 totaled 1.935 million, up 19 per cent compared to the previous year, marking the largest increase of any full-line manufacturer.

Ford’s December retail sales were the highest for any month since August 2009, up 17 per cent versus a year ago. Total sales (including fleet deliveries) were 190,976, up seven per cent versus a year ago. The total sales results include a 40 per cent reduction in deliveries to daily rental customers.

Ford’s US market share was higher for the second year in a row marking the first back-to-back increase in market share since 1993. Ford’s US market share in 2010 is estimated at 16.4 per cent, up 1.1 points from 2009 and 2.2 points from 2008.

“With our balanced line of high-quality, fuel-efficient products, we have a solid foundation to deliver more sales and improved results in 2011,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, US marketing, sales and service. “Consideration for Ford is increasing beyond our traditional areas of strength – signalling that the seeds of growth already have taken hold.”

Ford begins 2011 with several new high-volume products hitting the US market. In December, the first all-new Ford Explorers were delivered to customers. In addition, the first 2011 model F-150s, with all-new powertrains, were delivered. In the first quarter, Ford expects to begin shipments and deliveries of the all-new 2012 Ford Focus. In addition, Ford will benefit from a full year of the new F-Series Super Duty, all-new Edge and MKX crossovers and the Fiesta.

Ford expects the global economy to expand three to four per cent in 2011 and global sales to be in the range of 75 to 85 million – a record sales level. In 2010, global auto sales are estimated at 72 million, which was 11 per cent higher than the 65 million sales recorded in 2009.

In the US, Ford expects the economy to expand three to four percent in 2011 and industry sales to be in the range of 12.5 to 13.5 million.

In Europe, the outlook is mixed with some markets undergoing budget cuts and restructuring of banks. Other European markets, such as the UK, Germany and France, are growing. Overall, Ford expects industry sales in the Euro 19 markets to be in the range of 14.5 to 15.5 million, compared with 15.3 million in 2010.

“The global economy is reaching a dynamic phase,” said Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, Ford’s chief economist. “Several indicators in key markets around the world suggest the potential for industry sales to continue to grow.”