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Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Chicago Tribune
Ford posts May sales gain with employee discounts for all
Ford Motor Co.'s U.S. sales increased 16.3% last month year-over-year, making for the Dearborn automaker's best May since 2019. The company is offering thousands of dollars in discounts per vehicle as a part of its offering of 'A Plan' discounts typically reserved for employees to its customers through the July 4 weekend. It comes in response to the Trump administration imposing 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and certain parts, and analysts say consumers have moved up their purchases in anticipation of price increases further into the year. Some of that activity, however, has slowed, according to S&P Global Mobility, which is predicting a 2% increase year-over-year in overall U.S. sales for the fifth month of 2025. At Ford, sales of gas- and diesel-powered vehicles, which represented 87% of it sales, grew 17% in May compared to a year ago. Hybrids were up 29%, and electric vehicles fell by a quarter as sales of the F-150 Lightning pickup and E-Transit commercial van declined 42% and 93%, respectively. Lincoln sales grew by 39%. Truck sales were up 11% in May. F-Series pickups increase almost 15% for their best May since 2019. Ranger grew by 34% and Maverick grew 14% for a May sales record, including a 4% increase for its hybrid variant. Transit overall was down 4.1%. Ford SUV sales grew by 23%. Bronco Sport gained 46%, Escape was up 24%, Bronco got a 51% boost and Mustang Mach-E increased 11%. Explorer was up 23%, and Expedition had its best May in 20 years, growing by 43%. The Mustang coupe fell 3.2% in May. Early last month, Ford said it increased the prices by as much as $2,000 on its Mexico-built vehicles, including Bronco Sport, Mustang Mach-E and Maverick, because of tariffs. Trump has pushed auto tariffs to safeguard national security and bolster the industry's domestic supply chain. The president has insisted the import taxes will increase U.S. vehicle production, create well-paying manufacturing jobs and generate federal income to lower taxes and pay off national debt. Despite auto executives and analysts saying tariffs will affect consumers, and that it takes years to add assembly in the United States, the president has said he couldn't care less if automakers raise their prices. At luxury brand Lincoln, all of its products saw increases in sales for the month for its best May since 2007. Corsair was up 5.6%. The China-built Nautilus had its best May, growing by 24%. Aviator's 42% growth was its best May performance since 2003. Navigator increased by 133% for its best May in years, as well.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Ford posts May sales gain with employee discounts for all
Ford Motor Co.'s U.S. sales increased 16.3% last month year-over-year, making for the Dearborn automaker's best May since 2019. The company is offering thousands of dollars in discounts per vehicle as a part of its offering of "A Plan" discounts typically reserved for employees to its customers through the July 4 weekend. It comes in response to the Trump administration imposing 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and certain parts, and analysts say consumers have moved up their purchases in anticipation of price increases further into the year. Some of that activity, however, has slowed, according to S&P Global Mobility, which is predicting a 2% increase year-over-year in overall U.S. sales for the fifth month of 2025. At Ford, sales of gas- and diesel-powered vehicles, which represented 87% of it sales, grew 17% in May compared to a year ago. Hybrids were up 29%, and electric vehicles fell by a quarter as sales of the F-150 Lightning pickup and E-Transit commercial van declined 42% and 93%, respectively. Lincoln sales grew by 39%. Truck sales were up 11% in May. F-Series pickups increase almost 15% for their best May since 2019. Ranger grew by 34% and Maverick grew 14% for a May sales record, including a 4% increase for its hybrid variant. Transit overall was down 4.1%. Ford SUV sales grew by 23%. Bronco Sport gained 46%, Escape was up 24%, Bronco got a 51% boost and Mustang Mach-E increased 11%. Explorer was up 23%, and Expedition had its best May in 20 years, growing by 43%. The Mustang coupe fell 3.2% in May. Early last month, Ford said it increased the prices by as much as $2,000 on its Mexico-built vehicles, including Bronco Sport, Mustang Mach-E and Maverick, because of tariffs. Trump has pushed auto tariffs to safeguard national security and bolster the industry's domestic supply chain. The president has insisted the import taxes will increase U.S. vehicle production, create well-paying manufacturing jobs and generate federal income to lower taxes and pay off national debt. Despite auto executives and analysts saying tariffs will affect consumers, and that it takes years to add assembly in the United States, the president has said he couldn't care less if automakers raise their prices. At luxury brand Lincoln, all of its products saw increases in sales for the month for its best May since 2007. Corsair was up 5.6%. The China-built Nautilus had its best May, growing by 24%. Aviator's 42% growth was its best May performance since 2003. Navigator increased by 133% for its best May in years, as well. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
5 Manufacturer Incentives That Could Save Car Buyers Thousands as Trump Tariffs Loom
If you've been thinking about buying a new car, now might be the time to stop window shopping and start test driving. With former President Donald Trump imposing a 25% tariff on cars and car parts that were imported into the United States, automakers are scrambling to move inventory before things get more expensive. That means potential savings for buyers right now through limited-time manufacturer incentives. Discover More: Try This: Here are five deals and discounts car manufacturers may be offering now that could help you beat the potential tariff price hikes. Car prices have already been sky-high for the last couple of years, but some manufacturers are finally cutting prices to keep things moving. For example, as President Trump's new 25% tariff on all foreign auto imports takes effect, Ford is offering an employee-pricing plan, known as the A Plan, to shoppers on most of its 2024 and 2025 models through Jun. 2. Several automakers are rolling out interest-free financing offers for well-qualified buyers, which can lead to thousands in savings over the life of a loan. For example, General Motors is offering zero-percent APR for 72 months on popular models like the Equinox EV, Blazer EV or Silverado EV. That's six years of payments with zero interest, which could save you a good chunk of change if you're planning to finance your next car. Trending Now: If you're driving an older car, now might be the perfect time to cash in. Many manufacturers and dealers are offering extra incentives for trade-ins, sometimes adding up to $2,000 or more on top of your vehicle's market value. And even if your car isn't in perfect shape, some dealerships will still offer guaranteed minimums for trade-ins. Loyalty incentives, which reward customers for sticking with the same brand, and conquest incentives, which encourage customers to switch from a competitor, are being used more aggressively to secure sales. These programs can save you anywhere from $500 to $2,000 on your purchase or lease. For example, Honda is offering loyalty bonuses of up to $1,000 on many of its CR-V and Accord models, and BMW is offering drivers of EVs and plug-in hybrids from competitive brands like Tesla and Mercedes a $1,000 conquest bonus if they switch to an i5, i7 or iX EV. Some manufacturers are extending lease deals with lower monthly payments, reduced due-at-signing costs, and more flexible terms. And many brands like Toyota and Subaru are promoting 24- to 36-month leases with monthly payments under $300, even on SUVs. For example, Toyota is offering a lease on the Corolla Hybrid for $279 per month for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing, and the Subaru Outback is available at $299 per month for 36 months with $3,049 due upfront. These deals are worth considering if you're not ready to commit to a long-term purchase while the auto market remains shaky. Plus, leasing now could help you avoid potential sticker shock if tariffs push prices higher down the road. More From GOBankingRates 5 Luxury Cars That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Spring 2025 4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early 4 Affordable Car Brands You Won't Regret Buying in 2025 5 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying This article originally appeared on 5 Manufacturer Incentives That Could Save Car Buyers Thousands as Trump Tariffs Loom Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hyundai, Genesis Extend Helping Hand Amid Tariff Threat
In a new announcement on April 4, South Korean automaker Hyundai and its luxury arm Genesis declared that their respective vehicles will not see any price increases for the next two months in an effort to calm buyers' concerns that President Trump's new 25% tariff on all foreign auto imports would affect their local showrooms. Respectively dubbed the 'Customer Assurance' and 'Genesis Cares' programs, Hyundai and Genesis are set to maintain the manufacturer's suggested retail price for the entire lineup of both brands until June in response to dynamic market conditions and the potential impact of tariffs on the automotive industry. In statements issued by Hyundai and Genesis, they denote that their price protection programs are meant to reinforce their respective brands' "long-standing commitment to supporting American consumers and safeguarding affordability." In addition, they denote the importance of giving its customers "the peace of mind of knowing that MSRP will not increase, regardless of market conditions, providing financial reassurance and the time to make the right choice for their transportation needs." "We know consumers are uncertain about the potential for rising prices, and we want to provide them with some stability in the coming months," Hyundai and Genesis brand president and CEO José Muñoz said in a statement. "Our MSRP commitment is just one part of our multifaceted effort to provide great vehicles to American consumers while also supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and investing billions of dollars in the most important market for our company." A report published by Reuters revealed a note sent to dealers by Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America CEO Randy Parker, in which he revealed that the marques' competitive pricing may adjust after the levies take effect. In his note, Parker warned dealers that 'current vehicle pricing is not guaranteed and may be subject to change for units wholesaled after April 2,' indicating that individual Hyundai dealers may face wholesale higher car prices after the effective date, a fee that can be passed onto consumers. 'Tariffs are not easy,' Parker wrote to dealers. He also added that Hyundai is 'fortunate that we do not depend heavily on imports from Mexico and Canada, and we have been sure-footed in our U.S. investments.' Hyundai is far from the only manufacturer offering its customers some sort of pricing relief for its products. Detroit mainstay Ford recently started offering its employee pricing plan — known as the A Plan — to buyers of select 2024 and 2025 models through June 2. Under the new program, which is part of its "From America, For America" campaign, Ford will offer discounts ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the vehicle. According to information from an anonymous dealer who spoke to The Detroit Free Press, examples of discounts include $10,000 off the $65,000 MSRP of an F-150 XLT Hybrid and a $2,700 discount on the $36,300 Escape ST. Stellantis also announced that it will offer employee pricing on most 2024 and 2025 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles through April 30, save for high-ticket items like the Ram 1500 RHO and Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392. "This week we launched aggressive and consistent incentive and marketing support for April, including an exciting and competitive enhancement that will allow our customers 'America's Freedom of Choice' between employee price or current cash incentives," a Stellantis spokesperson said in an April 4 statement. As tariffs are set to affect just about every facet of the American market, it's a little comforting to know that automotive manufacturers are doing whatever they can to dissuade public fears. Of course, this is only a temporary band-aid on a bigger problem that can only be permanently solved through the reversal of the administration's tariffs. Whether the American public can force that to happen, though, is anyone's guess.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford Looks to Capitalize on Auto Tariff Shopping Rush With Sweeping Discounts
Ford is offering its employee-pricing plan, known as the A Plan, to shoppers on most of its 2024 and 2025 models through June 2. The A Plan's widened eligibility is part of Ford's 'From America, For America' campaign launching as President Trump's new 25% tariff on all foreign auto imports takes effect. This campaign also includes a June 30 extension of its program, providing a free home charger and complimentary installation for purchases or leases on the automaker's electric Mustang Mach-E SUV, F-150 Lightning pickup truck, or E-Transit cargo van. Ford's discounts apply to its entire 2024 and 2025 model year inventory except for F-150 Raptors, 2025 Super Duty pickups, the Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford's fleet vehicles. The A-Plan savings program provides a discount of about $2,000 to $10,000 per vehicle. While Ford declined to provide a full list of discounts, a customer purchasing a $65,000 F-150 XLT would spend $55,000 with the A Plan, while a Ford Escape ST SUV would drop from $36,300 to $33,000, according to anonymous dealership information sourced by The Detroit Free had more unsold cars in its inventory in February than all brands except Jaguar, Mini, and Dodge, Cox Automotive reports. This data was measured by how many days an automaker would take to sell all of its inventory's vehicles. At the end of March, Ford had over 568,000 cars in its inventory, representing an 8% year-over-year increase. Rob Kaffl, Ford's director of US sales, told The Detroit Free Press: 'We're in a very competitive position in our stock. And the auto sector, and overall public, has seen a lot of uncertainty in the market right now especially in the automotive space. So we feel by providing this message in 'From America, For America,' we're providing some security.' On Tuesday, Ford's first quarter report revealed sales were down 1.3% from a year ago, but its electric vehicle (EV) sales increased 25.5% to represent 15% of its overall sales. Ford and General Motors (GM) are the two largest vehicle producers in the US, but GM imports 46% of its inventory sold in the US compared to Ford's 21%, according to Electrek. Today, Ford released a video highlighting its commitment to domestic auto manufacturing and sales as part of its From America, For America campaign. The video notes that Ford employs the most hourly auto workers in the US and assembles the most vehicles domestically. In February, think tank Anderson Economic Group predicted that costs for North America-assembled cars could increase anywhere from $4,000 to $12,000—with EVs facing $12,000-plus price hikes, CNN reports. Auto consumers are losing value in other areas, like complimentary maintenance plans. Hyundai, one of the most popular vehicle brands among US drivers, announced to its dealers that it would be ending its complimentary maintenance program covering routine maintenance on new car purchases for the first three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Shoppers priced out of the new vehicle market likely won't find much better value with used listings, as rising prices from tariffs are expected to increase pre-owned vehicle demand, further raising costs. While Ford's offering of its employee discount is aimed at clearing out its inventory surplus, the promotion's savings are substantial enough to warrant attention from shoppers, who appear to be buying cars at a higher rate to beat tariff price hikes. In March, the same month that Trump announced his administration's auto tariffs, Hyundai, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Mazda reported increased customer demand, according to Jalopnik.
