As we literally close out 2013, it is time to look at the sales numbers of the big OEM companies to see who is going to wear the crown (or crowns as the case may be) as the best sellers in the country. When the dust settles is appears that Ford will be the best selling single brand in America, pummeling Toyota by some 400,000 units. Chevrolet is currently behind Toyota by a measly 12,000 cars to catch them for second place but it does not appear that the gap will be closed by the time the clock strikes midnight tonight. When combining sales of all brands under each company, GM takes the cake but it also has the most brands of anyone out there with Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC all selling under their banner. This will be the fourth year straight that Ford has the feather in its cap for best selling single brand.
The Ford F-150 truck continued its insane streak of being the best selling single vehicle, which it has been for 32-freaking years straight. That is very, very impressive and why Ford has put so much time and effort into the upcoming next generation of F-150 trucks. These things are literally the bread and butter of the company and they cannot afford a misstep in this product line. The new F-150 reportedly has a lightweight aluminum body built of a special Alcoa alloy. More on that in the coming weeks.
When the clock strikes midnight tonight Ford will have sold 2.4 million cars and trucks throughout 2013. That’s about 20% share in the US Market. As we said, Toyota is 400,000 units behind them and Chevrolet is 12,000 units behind Toyota for third. Chrysler? We have no idea where they finished but let’s say fourth to make that crew as happy as they could be with a “one step off the podium” finish. Having spent some of the last couple weeks reading about the fortunes of the automakers during the awful economic downturn that we’re still not out of yet, we think it is pretty cool to see Ford hauling tail like they are GM closing rapidly on Toyota. Both companies are making world class cars and people seem to be realizing that.
Who will take the cake in 2014? Come back a year from today and we’ll tell you!
Ford has been a pioneer in Aluminum body panels for decades. Mustang and Crown Vic has Aluminum hoods. Tools have to be designed (chromed) for Aluminum. No stretch in this metal. Shallow draw. Less than 1% stretch. Aluminum is costly and parts are run through the tools slowly. Thus a cost premium. Tough issues are with the shapes of the inner support metal. This is a real science. Nothing like DQSK steel.
After Chevy it’s Honda then Nissan, so Chrysler is not even in the top 5. I’m pretty happy with my 2013 Ford, I think #1 is well deserved.
Glad I bought my F-450 this week, they would only have sold 2,399,999 cars and trucks this year if I didn’t,,,,,