Although Ford Motor Company's total sales in March were down 14 percent, both the Ford Focus and Ford Edge were the highlights of March. Ford Sales Analyst, George Pipas says the Focus and Edge are more than holding their own in a difficult economy.
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"They are out performing a really strong small car market. Now the Focus, redesigned and equipped with features like SYNC, is gaining share in the small car market and its sales are up six months in a row and a year- to-date basis is up well over 30% at the retail level. :21 sec |
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Pipas says having the right car at the right time is crucial for the future of Ford. |
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"So we're really pleased with the performance. We're really getting ourselves back into the small car market which is very, very crucial because that's going to be a growth market not only this year, but in years to come." :12 sec. |
| The small car market is big business for Ford. According to Pipas. the company plans to expand its small car production before the end of the decade with the Verve, a global concept car viewed at the North American International Auto show, but will be sold as…... | |
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"The Fiesta, a very popular car in Europe and elsewhere, and that car will be sold in the United States and add to our presence in this really important lineup because that's the segment where a lot of the first time buyers go." :12 sec. |
| First time buyers according Pipas are crucial to the growth of the company which is why this segment is so important in the long run to the company. |
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"If we don't get the first time buyer, that means they go somewhere else and they're more likely to stay there. So we feel like our product line up is fully competitive, our quality has improved to the point even recognized by third parties as worthy of consideration. Now, if we can get that consideration and translate that to many purchases over the buyers life-cycle, that's really an important step for our ultimate goal which is to achieve growth." :26 sec. |
| Ford Edge retail sales were up 35 percent in March with 10 percent of that growth coming from outside the Midwest. According to Pipas, Ford is seeing stronger sales growth in the coastal areas. |
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"In California and the Northeast sales are up over double a year ago and that compares to the National of 50% increase growth. In the southeast and southwest, sales are not quite double but also stronger than they are year over year in the midwest. This is very important because we can start to crack some of the areas where are reputation has not been as strong." :22 sec. |
