Latest news with #2025Escape
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
See the Winners and Losers of May's Post-Tariff Sales Rush
The U.S. light vehicle sales rate dropped to 15.65 million units in May, down from 17.25 million in April and 17.83 million in March, according to Wards Intelligence data. This decline-the largest since the COVID-19 pandemic's onset in April 2020-was partially due to lower auto inventory levels from a March-April sales surge of shoppers trying to beat tariff-related price hikes. May also saw a 10% drop in incentive spending from April, as less inventory reduces dealers' need to offer discounts, rebates, and other special offers. Wards Intelligence forecasts that this sales dynamic will continue through June and into Q3, with automakers generally hesitant to ramp up production and replace inventory amid the ongoing trade war. "Given the swirling tariff, consumer, and auto inventory conditions, the expected May 2025 auto sales result will likely be the last period this year to post positive growth in year-ago and month-prior comparisons," said Chris Hopson, principal analyst of S&P Global Mobility. Ford Motor Company reported a 16% U.S. sales increase to 220,959 units in May year-over-year, with positive gains at both Ford and Lincoln. The 2025 Escape was one of Ford's best-sellers in May, with sales catapulting 24% to 17,395 units. Ford's 2024 Explorer saw a 23% sales increase to 20,504 vehicles. Bronco Sport sales rose 46% to 14,472 units, and the Maverick saw a 14% gain to 15,508 deliveries. Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia said their combined U.S. vehicle sales rose 6.4% in May from last year but added that their growth was lower in the previous month, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. In addition to selling its 17 millionth vehicle since entering the U.S. market in 1986 and launching Ioniq 9 deliveries, Hyundai's Venue, Elantra N, Santa Fe, Tucson, IONIQ 6, and Palisade reached May total sales records. In May, Hyundai U.S. sales, not including its luxury Genesis brand, rose 8%, its total hybrid sales increased by 5%, and the automaker's electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid lineup had its best month ever. Kia's sales increased 5.1% to 79,007 units from 75,156, thanks to hot-selling models like the Telluride and Sportage SUVs, the Carnival minivan, and the K4 sedan. While most automakers have begun reporting sales figures quarterly instead of monthly, Ford Motor Company and Hyundai Motor sales were better than expected, with Ford thriving on its employee pricing program running through July 6. Still, most countries haven't reached deals with the U.S. on reduced auto tariffs, making price hikes and lower sales all but certain in the coming months. Automakers exporting cars to the U.S. do have some light at the end of the tunnel, as a panel of judges on a federal trade court ruled that many of Trump's sweeping tariffs, including those on vehicles and car parts, exceeded the President's legal authority. A second D.C. federal court also deemed the tariffs illegal, but both rulings are on hold because of appeals. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Ford Sales Surge 16% In May 2025
Ford Motor Company reported a 16% sales increase to 220,959 in May year-over-year, with positive gains at both Ford and Lincoln. Hybrid vehicles led the way with a 28.9% sales increase, totaling 22,719 units, with internal combustion engine sales up 17.2% at 191,517 units. In the class category, Ford SUV sales saw the most significant gain at 25% to 94,595 units. Truck sales followed behind the SUV uptick at an 11.2% increase to 121,354 units. However, Ford Motor Company's electric vehicle (EV) sales plummeted 25% in May to 6,723 units. The car class saw a less dramatic decrease of 3.2% to 5,010 units, according to Ford Authority. Ford's new American Made campaign, centered around offering employee pricing, appears to primarily be fueling the company's overall sales gain as drivers strive to get ahead of tariff-imposed vehicle cost increases. Lincoln reported a 39% increase in May sales, and Ford Motor Company's total sales are up 6.1% to 930,925 vehicles compared to the first five months of 2024. The 2025 Escape was one of Ford's best-sellers in May, with sales catapulting 24% to 17,395 units. Ford's 2024 Explorer saw a 23% sales increase to 20,504 vehicles. Bronco Sport sales rose 46% to 14,472 units, and the Maverick saw a 14% gain to 15,508 deliveries. Financial analyst Dan Ives, managing director at Wedbush Securities, said "the monthly sales were better than feared and is a small step in the right direction," but added that there's "still a lot of wood to chop ahead for (CEO) Jim Farley and Ford with tariffs and demand issues," the Detroit Free Press reports. While Ford Motor Company extended its employee pricing marketing to July 6, which affects nearly all 2024 and 2025 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, the American automaker announced price hikes up to $2,000 last month on three of its Mexico-produced models: the Mach-E SUV, Maverick pickup, and Bronco Sport SUV. Related: Engine Teardown Reveals What Kills Ford's Most Versatile V8 May represented the third consecutive year-over-year double-digit sales increase at Ford. Cox Automotive expects May sales across all automakers to rise 3.2% from last year and 2.5% from last month, but that the month's sales pace will be significantly less than March and April, according to NBC. Besides weak May EV sales numbers, Ford has issued over 50 U.S. recalls in 2025, the most of any automaker. Through May 15, Volkswagen Group had issued the second-most recalls at 14. While EV sales were one of May's lowlights at Ford, the company's Mustang Mach-E experienced an 11% year-over-year sales surge to 4,724 units. Ford Motor Company stock finished at a 2.10% daily market increase and 5.6% year-over-year growth on Tuesday. With its third consecutive year-over-year double-digit sales increase and a 16% year-over-year sales increase for May, Ford has momentum that's crucial to the company mitigating trade war-related impacts, including $1.5 billion in added net costs for 2025. Ford Chair John Lawler said the automaker will adjust operations over the next 12 to 24 months in response to tariffs, but as of now, weak EV sales and regular recalls aren't significantly hurting the company's standing. Related: 2025 Ford Ranger vs Chevrolet Colorado: Battle of American Midsize Pickups Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
