Despite the vehicle’s return to its traditional spot in the list, sales for the truck are still down significantly from last year - compared to May of 2007, the May 2008 figures for the F-Series show a 30.6% decline, while the July 2008 figures show a 20.6% decline. However, the result is made even more impressive considering Ford is planning to introduce a redesigned model later this year.
Original: The Ford F-150 has been the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. since 1991, the last time it was bumped from the top of the monthly sales charts by a sedan. This time around it's not just one, but four sedans that have knocked the reigning champ from its perch.
Predictions last month indicated that Toyota's Camry, which finished April second in overall U.S. sales, would topple the might Ford, but in the end it was a foursome of Hondas and Toyotas that did the job.
Honda's Civic lead the way in May, selling the most it ever has in a single month at 53,299 units. The Toyota Corolla followed in second with 52,826 cars and the Camry took third with 51,291 sales, according to Automotive News. Honda's Accord finished fourth at 43,728 units, just shy of 800 vehicles ahead of the fifth-place Ford F-150.
High fuel prices and expectations that they are going to stay that way, rather than deflate back to more 'normal' levels are driving the American shift from pickups to cars. Ford has put a new series of incentives on its F-series trucks, but sales are not expected to pick up significantly.
The company is working on a pair of smaller trucks - one based on the F-series platform and the other to replace the Ranger. They may be able to help boost sales, especially among commercial buyers that still need the utility of a pickup but would also like better fuel efficiency.
The news of the sales switch comes alongside GM's announcement that it is shifting focus from its SUV and light truck operations to more efficient passenger cars, and will be significantly restructuring its business to do so.
Reader Comments
Tue Jun 3 2008 6:51 PM
chris says
and there it is. congratulations USA. you've just become Canada.
Tue Jun 3 2008 9:20 PM
Gus says
I've always wondered how the F150 was always up there. Was it fleet sales or are there really that many contractors and such buying them?
Mon Aug 11 2008 1:31 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
Gus- There really are that many contractors out there. I say this as the neighbor hood I live in just changed its lawn service contractor. For the new company my neighborhood added to their busness so they had to add to their fleet of trucks, so what trucks did thy go out and buy? Serveral Ford F150's and F250's!!!!!! It would appear companies are growing in these trying times and their buying new and not used..............
Mon Aug 11 2008 9:31 PM
HECTOR says
I was just going to say what Gus did. Period.
And the explanation below it doesn't explain how the F150 has been at the top for a decade.
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