Detroit -- As much as 30 percent of U.S. automobile sales this year will be sales to government or large companies -- fleet sales -- industry analysts said.
Ford Motor Co. said it was aiming to complete the year with 30 percent of its sales in the fleet sale category, which the industry considers a mixed blessing, The Detroit News reported Monday.
The News said Ford, with the largest percentage of fleet sales among the big three U.S. automakers, is trying to reduce its dependence on rental car companies, which help bolster some numbers, but come with the stigma that says the car in rental lots -- usually with limited features -- was a model that failed in dealer show rooms.
