Sales Failing Where Leadership Has Failed

From the Louisville Courier-Journal:

Sales of Louisville-produced Ford Explorer sport utility vehicles held their recent pace in April, but the automaker’s chief sales analyst yesterday said future declines are likely as the SUV market continues to soften. Ford sold 11,956 Explorers last month. That was down 13 percent from 13,772 sold a year ago, but in line with average for the past six months.

The troubled automaker also reported an overall 13 percent drop in vehicle sales across all categories yesterday, selling 228,623 fewer cars and trucks than in April, 2006. Explorer sales have "farther to go but the steepest of the declines have probably happened," Ford chief sales analyst George Pipas said yesterday of the Explorer, adding SUV sales have dropped precipitously in recently years across the automotive industry. "It is starting to reach a point where we are meeting the needs of the person who needs that kind of vehicle."

Reflecting sluggish sales, Explorer production lines will move slower soon at Ford’s Fern Valley Road plant. Ford’s official date for that slowdown to begin is June 11, company spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari said yesterday. However, the change is expected "sometime this summer," said United Auto Workers Local 862 president Rocky Comito.

Ford also moved fewer F-Series trucks, including the Super Duty and the smaller F-150, over the last year – 56,692 down 12 percent from 64,749 in April of 2006. Sales of the Louisville-built Ford Explorer were off 13 percent in April from a year earlier and sales of F-Series trucks, which include the Louisville-built Super Duty, fell 12 percent. Ford also moved fewer F-Series trucks, including the Super Duty and the smaller F-150, over the last year – 56,692 down 12 percent from 64,749 in April of 2006.

Amidst Fordfare, impending cuts, and contract negotiations, reality stings. The SUV market is faltering. Ford Explorers, which Kentuckians manufacture, are not selling. Obviously, our Ford employees require help. Will our Governor act?