Ford Outsells GM: Ford Reports More Monthly Deliveries, 1st Time Since 1998

March 5, 2010 - For the first time since 1998, Ford has reported more monthly deliveries than GM. February, 2010 sales reports from the two automaker giants show 142,285 units sold by Ford as compared to 141,951 units for GM. Ford, from Dearborn, Michigan, experienced a 43% spike in US sales volumes last month to catapult it past GM by 334 units sold. The last time that Ford came out on top was during the GM strike, 12 years ago. Prior to that, GM had led the sales race since 1970. John Wolkonowicz, an IHS Global Insight analyst, stated, "This is huge because it's the classic rivalry like Pepsi and Coke, the Red Sox and the Yankees. They're doing it with the stuff that matters -- quality, products and reputation. It could be a turning point."

The massive situation with the Toyota recalls is receiving partial credit for Ford's GM smackdown. In fact, the Toyota Motor Corporation experienced an 8.7% sales drop in globally last month, down to just 100,027 units. In further comparison, Chrysler Group LLC jumped its monthly sales a small 1%, up to 84,449 units. Although that seems minute, it exceeds expert projections and marks the first time the company has experienced any increase in sales at all since December, 2007. Additionally, Nissan Motor Company and the Honda Motor Company both reported gains, but they were gains that did not meet their goals and expectations.

Ford Fusion sales have doubled, plus some. The Fusion is now rated as Ford's top seller, dethroning the Focus. The Ford Taurus is also showing sales numbers that have almost doubled in the past 12 months. All SUV and pickup truck models have also experienced increases in delivery rates. Ford CEO, Alan Mulally stated yesterday, "North American production for the second quarter will increase 32 percent from a year earlier to 595,000 vehicles." Since taking over, he has "slashed company costs, developed new models and kept Ford out of bankruptcy this past year."

General Motors has been restrategizing their management approach. Steve Carlisle has been named the new VP of US sales ops. Susan Docherty has also been reassigned to control only marketing operations. She has been controlling marketing, service and sales. And most notably, ex-Engineering Chief, Mark Reuss was chosen by Ed Whitacre as the president of all North American operations.

The discontinuation of the Saab, Hummer, Pontiac and Saturn brands obviously drove overall sales volumes down for GM. Only 3,102 combined units of the four brands were sold in Feb., a 86% plummet. Cadillac GMC, Chevrolet and Buick are the remaining family members at GM. Coincidentally, their combined sales rates demonstrate an increase of 32% from one year ago. More specifically, the Chevy Equinox and the Buick LaCrosse both almost doubled in units sold. Jeff Schuster, J.D. Power & Associates analyst stated Monday, "Ford is certainly riding momentum right now. GM is still in a state of flux, trying to settle on an image for the brands that remain and shuffling the management team."

And the classic rivalry continues...