Ford F-Series Reclaims Crown as Best-Selling Vehicle in U.S.

July was a tough month for most automakers. It was worst for GM, whose sales were down 34.2% compared to July 2007. Chrysler was close behind at 29%. Toyota saw sales drop 18%, which was even worse than Ford’s 14% decline. However, people are still buying cars and trucks, even if at a reduced rate. The top 10 best-selling vehicles list has once again shifted. Huge discounts have pushed the Ford F-150 pickup back to the top of the heap, even though sales are down compared to last year. Some good news for domestics included the Chevy Malibu seeing sales increase more than 60%, and the Ford Focus going up 15%. Top Ten list is below.

1. Ford F-Series: 44,829
2. Toyota Camry: 42,131
3. Honda Accord: 41,382
4. Toyota Corolla/Matrix: 34,438
5. Chevy Silverado: 32,989
6. Honda Civic: 29,125
7. Nissan Altima: 24,429
8. Dodge Ram: 21,328
9. Honda CR-V: 17,419
10. Chevy Malibu: 16,637

Comments

[Colin B.]

First time I've seen the Malibu in the top ten!

But that seems to have come at the expense of the Impala...shame, for they used to be able to sell 25k a month easily.

[LM]

Interesting the Corolla/Civic had months over 40-50k and now they are down. Is this indicative of all excess supply being sold? Or were those just fluke months?

[sam]

Only 2 of the best selling are gas sippers, Corolla and Civic.

Last month the list included Cobalt and Focus. They're absent this month.

Last month the Corolla and Civic ranked 1 & 3. This month they're 4 & 6.

Also interesting is that no sub-compacts have cracked the top 10 list.

The mid size sedans seem to hold steady.

All of the above could be an indication that people are "adjusting" to higher gas prices but do not expect them to continue the rise, and possibly fall.

Or it could just be a statistical aberration.

[Dave T.]

LM,
I think it was an inventory issue, same with Corolla, but neither company mentioned it and they normally would point out the positive.

[JM]

Colin;

the Malibu is really a better vehicle than the Impala all around, despite the fact that the impala is much bigger. the Malibu also gets better gas milage than the Impala, partly because it has a 4 cylinder standard, and a more efficient V6 that have a six speed automatic, opposed to the 4 speeds all across the Impala line. GM would be smart to do a quick redesign of the Impala...to bring the level of interior quality up to the of the Malibu, bring the driving dynamics up to its level, and make the back seat a bit bigger for such a large car (they can do this by lengthening the wheelbase while keeping overall length the same), and make the great 3.6L V6 with the six speed automatic standard. Many people with larger families are looking for larger, more fuel effieinct sedans to replace their SUV's these days, and the Impala could be a very good alternative for a family that is "grown up" and won't be comfortable in a Malibu, Camry, or Accord.

[Bowrider]

It will be good for the domestic automakers to rid themselves of excess supply of trucks as they cut back on current production. The market prevails.

[ziggy]

GM sold only 200 less Cobalts than the Malibu last month. Probably would have been 11 or 12 if the list were longer. The cobalt has actually outsold the Malibu this year by 25K. If GM is so impressed with it's Malibu sales why would they D/C the Cobalt when it's sales are higher? Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

[kj]

I've heard that the fuel efficient cars are selling at full price, and above. The dealerships aren't bargining either on these models. It would be interesting to find out how many car owners are simply running their current cars into the ground rather than buying something newer.

[segfault]

Lengthening the wheelbase of a car (like the Impala) is a big job. I think they would do well to implement the other suggestions on the Impala, though (nicer interior and engine upgrade).

[Ana T.]

Shouldn't the title read, "Ford F-Series Reclaims Crown as Best-Selling Vehicle in U.S. for the month of July"? And what's so impressive about a 60% increase in sales for the Malibu when it's being bench marked against the old Malibu sales from last year? As a GM shareholder it's disturbing that the older design Camry is still outselling the new Malibu by more than 2 to 1.

[Capeplates]

Not much solace for Ford or anyone else - being on top of a sinking ship only buys you a certain amount of time before you go under

[jacob]

hahhahaha shove this toyota and honda f series number 1 hahahhahah

[Paul]

Impala is due to be converted to RWD and go the gas hog route,at least thats what Wagoner promised (after saying it was originally planned for then later dropped and then....).So which way is it now? Remember Pontiac has the G8 and isnt that slot supposed to be shared by Buick and Chevrolet? Goodbye 30mpg ratings....

[lagonzal]

Man, the discounts on F150s right now are incredible! In March of 2005 I bought a loaded supercrew for 26,600. Right now I could get the same model for about 22 to 23. Life is unfair.

[Troy S.]

Jacob,

I don't think the F-150 will save the day for Ford do you? F series may currently be the number one seller but, it won't be a life raft for Ford I assure you.

[J]

Troy,

The reason is because they have HUGE, and I mean HUGE incentives on them to move them.