Ford's January U.S. Sales Fell 5.2% On Lower Car Sales

[hatrack]

DEARBORN, Mich. -- Ford Motor Co. (F, news) reported a 5.2% decline in total U.S. vehicle sales for January, dragged down by a double-digit decline in car sales. Sales of the F-series trucks, however, reached record levels.

Ford said U.S. customers purchased or leased 230,036 cars and trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover dealers in January, compared with 242,555 in January 2003.

Car sales fell 14% to 72,066, while truck sales edged lower, to 157,970 from 158,414.

EDIT

By brand, Ford fell 4.8% to 190,573; Mercury fell 18% to 13,083; Lincoln fell 8.9% to 9,632, and Land Rover fell 6.7% to 2,820. Jaguar rose 2.8% to 3,643 and Volvo rose 11% to 10,285. Ford said sales of SUVs rose 6%, as Lincoln Aviator climbed 39%, Lincoln Navigator rose 14%, Volvo XC90 gained 57% and Land Rover Range Rover rose 23%."

EDIT

[underpants]

1. It's a saleless recovery

:thumbsup:

[hatrack]

2. Or else a "Zero Down $4,000 Cash Back!!" Recovery

;-)

[gristy]

3. That drop is compared to Jan of 2003.

Which is the proper comparison. This does not bode well for our economy. Or for the chimp.