October 2010 Auto Sales

2011 Ford Fusion Front Three Quarter In Motion

FORD MOTOR COMPANY +18% (excluding Volvo)
Ford managed to stay ahead of the market, and so continued its winning ways in October. The F-series remains an outsized performer in the portfolio, while Lincoln continues to be a worry.
Ford +21%
A 10,000-unit increase in F-series sales got things off with a bang. Other major contributors included the Fusion (+29%), the Focus (+23%), and the new Fiesta. The only discordant notes were sounded by the Taurus (-9%) and the Flex (-7%).
Mercury +12%
Despite the cloud hanging over the brand, all models save the Grand Marquis actually managed to finish ahead of last year. Lincoln +2%
Were it not for a big boost in the sales of the livery-favorite Town Car (+174%), Lincoln would have been down overall. TOYOTA MOTOR SALES -4%
Toyota's sales last October weren't as depressed as most of its competitors, but still, the automaker's decline -- the only decrease among the major players -- has to be a major disappointment.
Toyota -7%
The news for Toyota cars was all bad, led by the Camry (-17%, but still in first place) and the Corolla/Matrix (-28%). Trucks were a very different story, starting with the redesigned 4Runner, which enjoyed an eleven-fold increase over its year-ago number. Also doing well were the Highlander (+45%), the Sienna (+12%), and even the FJ Cruiser (+46%).
Lexus +8%
The redesigned GX had another big month (+283%) while the not-at-all-redesigned LS (+50%) led the way on the car side. Downers included the HS (-48%) and, just barely, the IS (-2%).
Scion +21%
Scion has been waiting and waiting for new product, and it finally arrived, in the form of the redesigned tC. The tC's sales doubled, which was enough to put Scion in positive territory at last.