Ford Motor Co. sales dropped 14% in February, like other automakers, as winter weather hampered sales. But the company’s executives underscored the positive signs, particularly for electrified vehicles, underneath the dour top-line numbers.
The all-new F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid, which was in spotlight after the power failures in Texas and the fully electric Mustang Mach-E lifted Ford to an all-new February electrified vehicle sales record, noted Andrew Frick, Ford vice president of sales in the U.S. and Canada.
Frick also said the all-new Bronco Sport and Mustang Mach-E worked to deliver the company’s best February retail Ford SUV sales in 20 years. “Our newest products have been game changers in the electrified vehicle and SUV space for both our dealers and customers,” said Andrew Frick, vice president, Ford.
Bronco Sport and Mach-E lead the way
The fully electric Mustang Mach-E, Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid and Escape and Explorer hybrids pushed overall electrified vehicle sales to a new February record – sales were up 56.1% compared with a year ago, with 9,267 vehicles sold, Ford said in its monthly sales report.
Despite the severe winter weather that impacted much of the nation’s central region, F-Series gained both retail sales and share. Thanks to the all-new F-150 and F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid, FSeries retail share expanded an estimated 5 full percentage points in the full-size pickup segment – retail sales were up 7.9 percent.
Like January, Ford retail sales outperformed the industry again. Ford’s estimated retail share in February totaled 12%, compared to 11.7% last year. Share gains came from trucks and new product offerings of Bronco Sport and the fully electric Mustang Mach-E.
Sales of the all-new F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid jumped 40% in February relative to January. Ford and its dealers made good use of the F-150’s onboard electric generator to provide power to residences in Texas, Ford officials said.
Volvo gains ground
Meanwhile, Volvo went against the industry trends in February and posted a healthy sales gain when compared to February 2020, which had two additional selling days.
Volvo Cars USA reported a 16.9% jump over 2020, and its ninth consecutive month of year-over-year growth. Year-to-date Volvo Car USA sales are up 23.7 percent.
“For the past nine months we’ve grown our sales and market share,” said Anders Gustafsson, senior vice president, Volvo Car Americas and president and CEO, Volvo Car USA. “The strength of our Recharge line-up in particular bodes well for our electrification ambitions, and we’re excited for the C40 Recharge to join our range.”
Asian brands sees sales fall
Mazda reported its sales dropped 8.4% in February but was up slightly on a daily sales rate basis.
American Honda reported sales of Honda and Acura vehicles fell 11.6% in February even though it set records for truck sales last month. Subaru sales also dropped 6.6%. Toyota Motor North America, Hyundai and Kia also saw sales drop.
