Dreaming of Plush Cars and Posh Interiors

 

Crossovers may be new to the industry, but they catch up easily. They are swiftly amassing a slice in the auto market pie. And automakers are happy about it. 

 

Ford sales might be down so far this year, but the company’s crossovers continue to score double-digit gains as consumers replace their large sport utilities.

The Dearborn-automaker is second to General Motors in the segment, according to Autodata Corp. Ford has 18% of the market, compared with GM’s 22%. But the former’s growth in the segment is escalating. The Ford Edge was up 95%. The Lincoln MKX was up 78%. Even the SUV-like Escape had a 34% improvement.

 

CNN writes:

Demand for Ford’s crossovers remained strong in January. Sales for the Ford Edge were 95 percent higher than a year ago and the Lincoln MKX was up 78 percent.

Retail demand for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars also was strong in January, especially for the new Focus. Sales for the Focus were up 44 percent compared with a year ago, with retail sales up 33 percent. Combined retail sales for the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln MKZ also were higher than a year ago.

"We’re very pleased with this result," said Jim Farley, Ford’s group vice president, Marketing and Communications. "Our dealers really delivered this month, despite a challenging economic and competitive environment.

"It’s not going to get any easier - at least for awhile," added Farley. "Recent monetary actions and the proposed stimulus package may help the economy later this year, but we’re not pinning our hopes on that. Our plan is based on restructuring our business to be profitable at lower demand and changed mix while also accelerating the development of new products people want to buy."

 

Other hot vehicles from the Dearborn-based automaker will kick off this summer. The models include Ford Flex crossover and Lincoln MKS sedan. Ford F-150 pickup, meanwhile, will arrive later in the fall.

 

Plush crossover manufacturers such as the maker of Acura Vigor parts could be pretty much enthused. That’s quite nice.