http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosins...b01-280703.htm

"Ford F-150 sales are brisk

Officials hope to break mark of 74,787 for September
By Mark Truby / The Detroit News

"DEARBORN -- Ford Motor Co. executives can breathe again.

The redesigned F-150 -- the high-volume pickup truck that could make or break Ford's turnaround effort -- is selling briskly in its first full month on the market.

Ford now expects to set a September record for full-size pickup sales, Ford President Steve Lyons told The Detroit News in an interview Wednesday. The current record is 74,787 F-Series pickups in September 2001.

"That's obviously a very, very good sign," Lyons said

"On average, dealers are selling the new F-150 within six days of receiving the truck from Ford, Lyons said. It typically takes 30 to 60 days to "turn" a vehicle. Another encouraging sign for Ford: 55 percent of the new F-150s sold have been the more profitable four-wheel drive version. Historically, four-wheel drive models account for 40 percent of big pickup truck sales, according to Rod Lache of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

Buyers have been snapping up the luxury Lariat version of the 2004 F-150, which features a floor-mounted gear shifter and an interior trimmed in leather and wood. "

 

Well, more people opting for the Lariat is a good sign for Ford... as well as overall sales of all lines of the truck. However, as we've all seen and mentioned (those with Lariat's), how 'bout some quality floor mats for cryin' out loud ! Cardboard would be better than what they provide in these high-end trucks.

Since that's my only complaint about this truck, I'm not really that concerned about it. I'll just buy some Husky's or something.

 

Why would ford invest in floormates when 98% of people buy after-market anyway --- I glad they put the money into important things -- I wish I could opt to not get the mats

 

That's one way of looking at it... the other is: If they provided quality mats, maybe people wouldn't have the need to buy aftermarket. As stated, though, it's not really a big deal because everything else is awesome !

 

I read that Ford is trying to break the September sales record as well. To do this, they have bonus incentives on leftover 03 models in many markets, and the heritage models also has a 3000 rebate. I was browsing and found that Ford has the following incentives:

2003 F-150 - Up to $1250 bonus cash and up to $1000 A/X/Z plan cash. This is in additon to the national $3000 rebate on regular and supercabs and $2500 on Supercrews.

The article is interesting because not all September F-150 sales are the new body style 2004 model. Slightly misleading.

 

I think this announcement is quite misleading as it does refer to all F-series trucks, not just the new '04 F-150. With plenty of '03 models of all the F-series trucks with big rebates and all the new '04 trucks, they actually have more models available than ever before. This should help to boost the sales numbers.

However, all I know is that in my area, Salt Lake, the vast majority of the '04 F-150s are just sitting in the sunshine on the dealer lots. I only know of one truck that has been sold off the lot. The rest were all pre-sold orders. Everyone's looking at 'em but no one's buying them here, yet.

 

Weird thing is the "6 days average on lot". I would think all 2003s have already been on the lot for awhile.

Maybe orders are keeping that number down with most being 0 days on lot.

I also think that there would be nowhere near 50% 4x4 2003s left. The hundreds I see left are all 4x2.

 

According to the article it is the NEW F-150 that is selling within an average of 6 days of arriving at dealerships, not the old one. It goes on to say that it "typically takes 30 to 60 days to "turn" a vehicle" meaning the older F-150s.


"On average, dealers are selling the new F-150 within six days of receiving the truck from Ford, Lyons said. It typically takes 30 to 60 days to "turn" a vehicle. Another encouraging sign for Ford: 55 percent of the new F-150s sold have been the more profitable four-wheel drive version. Historically, four-wheel drive models account for 40 percent of big pickup truck sales, according to Rod Lache of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. "