Toyota knocks Ford off of its 75-year run as #2 US automaker
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From: Milton, FL
Toyota knocks Ford off of its 75-year run as #2 US automaker
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080103/..._ge/auto_sales
DETROIT - Toyota Motor Corp. overtook Ford Motor Co. to become the No. 2 automaker by U.S. sales in 2007, using new products and relentless strategy to break Ford's 75-year lock on the position.
Toyota sold 2.62 million cars and trucks in 2007, which amounted to 48,226 more than Ford, according to sales figures released Thursday. Toyota's sales were up 3 percent for the year, buoyed by new products like the Toyota Tundra pickup, which saw sales jump 57 percent. Ford's sales fell 12 percent to 2.572 million vehicles.
General Motors Corp. remained the U.S. sales leader, selling 3.82 million vehicles in 2007. But that was down 6 percent from the previous year as customers turned away from some large sedans and sport utility vehicles and GM cut low-profit sales to employees and rental car agencies. GM's car sales fell 8 percent for the year while truck sales were down 4 percent.
Toyota sold 2.62 million cars and trucks in 2007, which amounted to 48,226 more than Ford, according to sales figures released Thursday. Toyota's sales were up 3 percent for the year, buoyed by new products like the Toyota Tundra pickup, which saw sales jump 57 percent. Ford's sales fell 12 percent to 2.572 million vehicles.
General Motors Corp. remained the U.S. sales leader, selling 3.82 million vehicles in 2007. But that was down 6 percent from the previous year as customers turned away from some large sedans and sport utility vehicles and GM cut low-profit sales to employees and rental car agencies. GM's car sales fell 8 percent for the year while truck sales were down 4 percent.
Ford's car sales plummeted 24 percent for all of 2007 as some models like the Ford Mustang aged and a new Ford Taurus sedan was unable to match the volumes of the older version. Ford also cut rental-car sales by 32 percent over the year. Truck sales were down 5 percent.
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,463
From: SoCal
Well it was only a matter of time with the way Ford has been the last few years. Like all domestic makes they have a load of challenges but it also seems like Ford has not done enough the last few years to cut it's troubles. I hope they rebound soon and more importanly start making a profit then rebuild.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,977
From: SeVa
him my de rigueur 
at Ford, morons I wish all the corperate tools would be in the right plane at the right time with the right engine failure over the right spot that would make sure absolutely nobody survived. They desreve the mess they are in and if they fail they can all go to hell!.
at Ford, morons I wish all the corperate tools would be in the right plane at the right time with the right engine failure over the right spot that would make sure absolutely nobody survived. They desreve the mess they are in and if they fail they can all go to hell!.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 801
From: New York
*announcer's voice*
Toyota's climbing to the top of the ladder. What? NO! They just climbed over Ford, looks like they're down for the count...too bad.
General Motors still at the top, but - Oh, no! GM looked down, and saw into the fiery, soulless eyes that belong to Toyota. But, What's this!?!?! Ford, and Chrysler jumped to a second ladder!!! And GM is - Ahhhhhh, I can't believe my eyes!!!! GM just kicked the ladder with Toyota on it right OFF THE WALL!!!
/end
Sorry 'bout that. Sorta got caught in the moment
Toyota's climbing to the top of the ladder. What? NO! They just climbed over Ford, looks like they're down for the count...too bad.
General Motors still at the top, but - Oh, no! GM looked down, and saw into the fiery, soulless eyes that belong to Toyota. But, What's this!?!?! Ford, and Chrysler jumped to a second ladder!!! And GM is - Ahhhhhh, I can't believe my eyes!!!! GM just kicked the ladder with Toyota on it right OFF THE WALL!!!
/end
Sorry 'bout that. Sorta got caught in the moment
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,406
From: Philaduhphia
It'll be hard to sway import loyalists with just cutting rental sales.
tojonation had a thread on rental and fleet sales. A few memebrs bashed domestics for selling to rentals. I countered with the imports don't sell though, so somebody has to.
tojonation had a thread on rental and fleet sales. A few memebrs bashed domestics for selling to rentals. I countered with the imports don't sell though, so somebody has to.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,977
From: SeVa
I doubt with Ford, getting rid of fleet cars would significantly effect thier resale value enough to warrant the loss in car sales.
I wish they'd get on the ball like GM, it'd be nice to see some new and exciting product in the pipeline instead of just hearing about cutting this and slashing that so we can become profitable producing at a lower volume.
I'm sure there is something to be said for that, but the world does not stand still, already thier product line is second hat
I dunno about truck sales, but Mustang sales have dived comapred to 05 and 06 sales, although I think by the end of 08 they will have racked up near or over 500,000 total units for Mustang from 05 to current and the car was designed from the get go to survive on 80k units a year IIRC.
I wish they'd get on the ball like GM, it'd be nice to see some new and exciting product in the pipeline instead of just hearing about cutting this and slashing that so we can become profitable producing at a lower volume.
I'm sure there is something to be said for that, but the world does not stand still, already thier product line is second hat
I dunno about truck sales, but Mustang sales have dived comapred to 05 and 06 sales, although I think by the end of 08 they will have racked up near or over 500,000 total units for Mustang from 05 to current and the car was designed from the get go to survive on 80k units a year IIRC.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 983
From: Motor City
Fords sales are down due to majorly due to cutting of fleet sales, all of which have gone to Toyota if youve been to an airport rental lot lately.
They didnt just do it because of resale, althought that is part of it. The major point is that you dont make any money on fleet sales. The Avis' and Hertz's get the cars basically just over cost due to the fact that they buy 50k of them. Overall sales dont really say much about a company other than they make more cars. Ford is more concerned with makling less cars at a more significant profit right now. They purposely downsized the company last year with all of the buyouts. This is exactly what has been expected. What nobody ever reads in the news is...
- Ford, Mercury and Lincoln crossover utility vehicles set the pace in the industry’s fastest-growing segment with a gain of 62 percent in 2007 – more than triple the industry-wide growth of 17 percent.
- In its first full year, Edge exceeded the company’s original sales forecast by 30 percent.
- Lincoln had the highest sales increase (9 percent for the full year) among luxury brands in 2007, driven largely by the new Lincoln MKX crossover and Lincoln MKZ sedan.
- The Ford F-Series was America’s best-selling truck in 2007 – the 31st year in a row. F-Series also was the best-selling vehicle – car or truck – for 26 years in a row.
- Sales of the new Ford Focus climbed 3 percent in December (9 percent at retail), building on its 18 percent gain in November.
- Edge ended the year with its best-ever retail sales month.
- SYNC-equipped vehicles are turning much faster than non-equipped vehicles, indicating SYNC truly is resonating with customers and helping to elevate consideration for our products.
Ford is doing great things, they just arent getting credit for them because as far as the media is concerned, bad press gets read more than good press, unfortunately you wont read about the Tundras failing camshafts, driveshafts, or tailgates, or how the camry v6 was taken off motor trends recommended list, or how ugly the new corolla is... its a shame
They didnt just do it because of resale, althought that is part of it. The major point is that you dont make any money on fleet sales. The Avis' and Hertz's get the cars basically just over cost due to the fact that they buy 50k of them. Overall sales dont really say much about a company other than they make more cars. Ford is more concerned with makling less cars at a more significant profit right now. They purposely downsized the company last year with all of the buyouts. This is exactly what has been expected. What nobody ever reads in the news is...
- Ford, Mercury and Lincoln crossover utility vehicles set the pace in the industry’s fastest-growing segment with a gain of 62 percent in 2007 – more than triple the industry-wide growth of 17 percent.
- In its first full year, Edge exceeded the company’s original sales forecast by 30 percent.
- Lincoln had the highest sales increase (9 percent for the full year) among luxury brands in 2007, driven largely by the new Lincoln MKX crossover and Lincoln MKZ sedan.
- The Ford F-Series was America’s best-selling truck in 2007 – the 31st year in a row. F-Series also was the best-selling vehicle – car or truck – for 26 years in a row.
- Sales of the new Ford Focus climbed 3 percent in December (9 percent at retail), building on its 18 percent gain in November.
- Edge ended the year with its best-ever retail sales month.
- SYNC-equipped vehicles are turning much faster than non-equipped vehicles, indicating SYNC truly is resonating with customers and helping to elevate consideration for our products.
Ford is doing great things, they just arent getting credit for them because as far as the media is concerned, bad press gets read more than good press, unfortunately you wont read about the Tundras failing camshafts, driveshafts, or tailgates, or how the camry v6 was taken off motor trends recommended list, or how ugly the new corolla is... its a shame
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,897
From: Greenville, SC
However, I do hope Ford (and Chrysler) take their spots back
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,600
From: Pewee Valley, KY
This is going to upset many of you also but Toyota is also claiming that they actually sold more vehicles than Chevrolet!
A good read for you all: http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums...opic=21794&hl=
A good read for you all: http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums...opic=21794&hl=