July marks a turnaround for sliding Mustang sales.
08-01-08:
Mustang sales have been on a slide all year long, measuring about 25% lower than last year at this time. We have reported each month a continued shrinkage of the current model in buyer's love. Good news has come for July as the slump has seemed to have stopped.
Sales for July, for the first month in almost a year, have actually improved. Ford sold 10,711 Mustangs in July, which was a small improvement over July of 2007 when 10,684 units were moved. It is only a .3% increase, but it marks an up-tick in sales that beats the hell out of declines.
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Much of the improvement in sales has been attributed to the launch of the 2009 Mustang, which started production in June. New options and features like a glass roof and 45th Anniversary badges have dealers in an upbeat mood about sales prospects.
In addition, an increased mix of V6 engines has made Mustang an increasingly popular option for those seeking an efficient car for commuting, that still has a sporty image. The 4.0 liter V6 Mustang is rated up to 26mpg on the highway.
The big news of course for Ford today was the stellar increase in sales for the Ford Focus, posting another 16% increase in sales. The 2008 Focus is providing a light at the end of the tunnel for Ford in their struggle to stem their overall loses in the US market. Overall Ford car sales were up in July by nearly 8%, while total Ford brand sales were down by 14% when trucks and SUV’s are included in the count.
