Industry Report: High Fuel Prices Playing into Ford's Favour

Well-Meaning but Misguided Environmental Groups Targeting Big 3's Cleanest Carmaker

Ironically, Ford Motor Company has become the poster-firm of

With hybrid and E85 capability, could the Escape Hybrid be the world's most environmentally friendly SUV? (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

the environmental movement, but not because it was the first domestic manufacturer to offer a hybrid electric vehicle, nor because of its compressed natural gas (CNG) and ethanol-capable models (E85), or for that matter its innovative use of eco-friendly technologies such as continuously variable (CVT) and six-speed automatic transmissions. No, the irony lies in that the organization, Jumpstart Ford, which protested dealerships last year in an effort to bring the blue oval automaker to its collective knees, targets Ford as the worst of pollution offenders; no doubt citing the popularity of its F-Series light truck range, mostly used by industry for work purposes, plus the Explorer and Expedition SUVs. Trucks aside, Ford is the domestic-brand leader when it comes to fuel efficient cars.

Fortunately for Ford, the "non-enlightened" everyday buyer, who doesn't base their purchase decision on sensational podium rhetoric designed to capture the quintessential 15 second news bite, but rather via personal due diligence, by investigating which cars offer the most for the least, and then which ones deliver the best long-term value, with fuel economy playing an ever more important role in the final decision.

No

Mercury or Ford, pick your badge. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

doubt this is one of the reasons Ford is experiencing stronger sales recently, posting record new Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid (the latter only available in the U.S.) deliveries in April. Also a factor behind the upturn in hybrid sales was a generous incentive program targeting the two fuel-conscious vehicles, although Ford's midsize sedans and crossover utilities experienced a positive boost in overall numbers.

April's car sales were up 8 percent, while trucks and truck-based SUVs, what the environmentalist movement normally targets, were down 15 percent, showing that the free market, and in that a need by consumers to thwart rising fuel costs, will more often than not dictate purchasing patterns. Over a total of 262,722 unit sales, Ford saw a drop of 7 percent.

Amongst the automaker's cars, the strongest sellers include

Mustangs are still selling strong, despite a slight drop on the sales charts. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

Ford's compact Focus, at 17,917 units, down slightly from last year mind you, and Mustang, at 15,868 units - off by 18.9 percent from April 2005's near miraculous sales numbers in a personal coupe category that has all be gone away. Although the Mustang GT features a V8 engine, not normally associated with environmental friendliness, the majority of Mustangs are sold with a V6. Also popular is the old Taurus at 14,668 units, although Taurus sales are mostly fleet-oriented now and down some 15 percent from April of 2005, but the new midsize Fusion sedan also did well at 12,613 vehicles delivered. Also strong is the number one choice for police cruisers and taxi cabs, Ford's stalwart Crown Victoria, up by 7.2 percent to 6,640 cars.