Ford reports highest annual sales since before COVID, but EVs fall behind GM
Published in Business News
Ford Motor Co.'s U.S. sales grew 4.2% year-over-year in 2024 to their highest level since pre-pandemic 2019, and it recorded a record year of electric vehicle deliveries, but fell behind crosstown rival General Motors Co. in sales of battery-powered models.
Even as affordability became an increasingly prominent issue for buyers in 2024 from high interest rates and transaction prices and as inventories built up, Ford sold 2.079 million vehicles last year compared to 2023's 1.996 million. The results surpassed automotive digital services provider Cox Automotive Inc.'s forecast that the Dearborn automaker would post a 3.8% increase in sales for the year.
The results were boosted by the fourth quarter, during which the Dearborn automaker sold 8.8% more vehicles than the same period a year prior, totaling 530,660 vehicles. It sold 191,531 vehicles in December, down less than 1% year-over-year.
Even as EV leader Tesla Inc. reported its first annual decrease of 1.1% in global deliveries in more than a decade, Ford recorded record EV sales in 2024 in the United States. Sales of its three all-electric products increased almost 35% year-over-year to 97,865 vehicles, but new offerings from GM boosted the Detroit automaker's annual EV sales 50% to 114,432.
Ford on Friday announced it was extending its fourth-quarter "Power Promise" campaign through March, committing to cover the cost of a Level 2 home charger and its standard installation for the purchase or lease of a new EV. The company attributed support for the record EV sales in the fourth quarter, which increased 16%, to the program.
Ford's hybrid vehicles also grew by 40%. But gas- and diesel-powered vehicles still represented 86% of all U.S. sales, increasing 0.2%. Luxury brand Lincoln’s sales rose 28% compared to 2023.
Truck sales increased 7.1% in 2024. F-Series pickups were up 2%, making it the country's best-selling truck for a 48th straight year. The results included a 39% increase in all-electric Lightning sales, a 47% increase in the hybrid model and a 14% increase in Super Duties. Ranger was up 43% and Maverick rose 39%, including a 31% increase for the hybrid model. Transit commercial van sales increased 18%, including a 64% increase in all-electric E-Transit deliveries.
Ford SUV sales were down 1.6% because of Edge production ending and sales of that midsize model falling 37%. Explorer was up 3.9%, Bronco rose 3.3%, Escape increased by 4.2% and Expedition grew by 6.3%. Bronco Sport sales fell 2.2%. The all-electric Mustang Mach-E increased by 27% and had its best-ever quarter in the last three months of the year.
Meanwhile, sales of the Mustang coupe, Ford's only car segmented vehicle, decreased by 9.5%.
Lincoln had its best retail sales in 17 years. Aviator sales rose 62%, and Nautilus sales increased by 50%. Corsair's grew by 13% and Navigator's were up 28%.
Altogether, the Blue Oval's SUV sales were down 1.2%.
GM's total sales increased 4.3% year-over-year in 2024. Stellantis NV also was expected to post full-year and fourth-quarter results on Friday. Toyota Motor Corp.'s U.S. sales increased 3.7%, and Kia Corp.'s rose 1.8%. California-based EV maker Rivian Automotive Inc. on Friday said it met its annual production target after lowering it in October.
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