Ford Motor stated on Monday that its new-vehicle gross sales in the US fell 17 p.c within the first three months of the yr, in step with different automakers which are struggling to maintain their factories working amid a worldwide scarcity of pc chips.
Ford stated it had bought 429,174 vehicles and lightweight vehicles within the first quarter, in contrast with 517,711 a yr earlier. Its gross sales included 6,734 Mustang Mach-E electrical sport utility autos, solely 120 greater than a yr earlier, a mirrored image of the influence of the chip scarcity.
Stellantis, the maker of Jeeps and Ram pickups, stated its U.S. gross sales had fallen 14 p.c to 405,221 vehicles and lightweight vehicles. Jeep model gross sales solely fell 2 p.c, thank to 2 new S.U.V.s, the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. The corporate’s Chrysler and Dodge manufacturers declined 27 p.c and 36 p.c.
Established automakers have been battling the chip scarcity for months, some for greater than a yr. Against this, Tesla, the largest vendor of electrical vehicles, stated on Saturday that its new automotive gross sales have been up practically 70 p.c within the first quarter.
Ford stated its sellers had 268,000 autos in stock on the finish of March, down from 370,000 a yr earlier. G.M. had shares of 273,760 autos, down from 334,628. Years in the past, the 2 automakers sometimes held inventories of 800,000 autos or extra.
Ford, Normal Motors and different firms have stated they count on manufacturing and gross sales to return to extra regular ranges within the second half of the yr.
Ford is seeing robust demand for its pickup vehicles and S.U.V.s, Andrew Frick, Ford’s vice chairman of gross sales, distribution and vehicles, stated in an announcement. The automaker took in 50,000 orders from retail clients for F-series vehicles in March, which Mr. Frick stated was a report.
Toyota Motor, which initially weathered the chip scarcity higher than its American rivals, outsold each Ford and G.M. within the first quarter, promoting 514,592 autos, simply forward of G.M’s 512,846. Toyota additionally outsold Ford and G.M. in 2021, turning into the primary producer primarily based exterior the US to attain that feat within the business’s practically 120-year historical past.
