This is a surprise considering the fact that the auto industry sales is not picking up amid the economic slowdown.
In Canada, though the government has not announced any incentives, auto makers, on their own, had introduced incentive programs to improve sales. Canada Ford's chief executive and president David Mondragon said that the incentive program was a success.
He said "It's bringing in incremental sales to the Ford brand; nearly 55 percent of sales under this program are new customers to the Ford brand."
The growth in the sales for September was more than 20 percent with sales of cars beating sales of trucks.
Ford better off in U.S. too
The situation in United States auto industry is no different than in the Canadian industry, and after the buying spree caused by the government’s incentive plan, industry sales have dropped again.
But even in the United States, Ford’s sales performance is better than its competitors’. This performance is another feather in the cap for Ford after it evaded bankruptcy.
After Ford’s F-series’ sales improved, Ford’s U.S. marketing and sales vice president Ken Czubay said, “It may be an early indicator in a turnaround in outlook of small-business owners.”
Ford’s competitors post negative growth
Auto industry’s sales figures have been showing negative growth for the past one year with some companies reporting decline in sales by around 40 percent. September sales of General Motors (NYSE:GM) were nearly 40 percent less compared to September last year.
Chrysler’s sales figures were no different and were only slightly better than those of General Motors. Comparatively, Toyota (NYSE: TM) was better than Chrysler and General Motors. Among them, Ford was the least affected.
Companies are now planning to market their cars effectively to attract more customers. Sales analyst of General Motors said, "We're cautiously optimistic that we're going to have a good fourth quarter. Clearly the economy is starting to gain momentum."
Sales chief of Chrysler, Peter Fong said, "Credit markets have thawed slightly, but still remain tight, and consumer confidence is tenuous."
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