Ford Economist: U.S. auto sales appear to be stabilizing, with fundamentals for buyers gradually improving, said Ford Motor Co. Chief Economist Ellen Hughes-Cromwick on Tuesday, Dow Jones reports. Also, trends for long-term growth in Brazil, Russia, India and China are positive, she said. Hughes-Cromwick was speaking on the so-called BRIC nations at a presentation for the nonprofit Global Interdependence Center held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Broadly, economic indicators are showing a recovery already underway, she told Dow Jones. "Some of these indicators can be bumpy from month to month," such as the dip in U.S. consumer confidence last week. Ford will see an improvement in sales in 2010, she told the audience, without providing more detail. "The economy will help support the environment" in becoming one that's better than the first half of 2009. Speaking on the "Cash for Clunkers" program, she said that 200,000 people waited for the government initiative before trading in their vehicles. Usually, about 90,000 to 100,000 units are traded in every year.
'Clunkers' Drive Car Sales, Especially At Ford Karl Greenberg, Aug 03, 2009 04:07 PM With the Obama administration hoping to kick-start the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), which needs a cash refill, automakers are pointing at July sales to extol the program's virtues. Depending on one's point of view, it was either wildly successful or woefully underfunded -- as the program, slated to run through October or until cash ran out, lasted only days. Ford seems to have gotten the biggest boost from the program, at least among domestics. It says its retail sales of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles were up last month 9% versus a year ago. That would make the gain Ford's first year-over-year increase since November 2007. Sales of Ford vehicles that qualify for CARS were up sharply: Ford Fusion saw a 66% increase; Mercury Milan a 60% increase, and sales of Ford Escape jumped 94% versus the month last year. Sales of the Mercury Mariner were up 71%, Ford Focus sales rose 44%, and the automaker said its sales of hybrid vehicles jumped 323% last month versus July 2008. The hybrid version of the Ford Fusion is also now Consumer Reports' top-rated domestic sedan, tied with the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The company says 1 million consumers visited www.LetFordRecycleYourRide.com. The only other company that seems to have done as well on a percentage basis was Hyundai, which posted a 21% increase over last month and a 12% increase compared with July 2008 in U.S. sales.
We are in full swing with the Cash for Clunkers program! In addition to the generous financing and strong incentives your trade may be worth up to $4500 under the CARS act passed by Congress last month. We've just received the official DOT rules today but the staff of Ford of Ocala has been keeping up with the latest developments as they were released. The government has only put so much money into the program and when it's gone- It's Gone! So act now while the money is good and the selection of available vehicles that qualify is at its peak! Call us, click us or just come on down and see us! 1.800.292.3338 or www.fordofocala.com
The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) is the government's new vehicle trade-in program* and your Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers are your experts. No one makes it easier to receive your incentive, recycle your old vehicle and save on a new, high-quality Ford or Lincoln Mercury vehicle. This site will provide general program information, answer frequently asked questions and provide you with the information you will need to take advantage of this unique program. Using the Qualification Calculator below, you can select your current vehicle and then learn which Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle is right for you. With 20 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles eligible, we are confident you will find the model that fits your needs. *This government program and rules are subject to change. Please refer to ford.com or cars.gov for complete details. To be eligible for the program, you must trade-in a vehicle that meets the following criteria:
• Must have been manufactured less than 25 years before the date you trade it in • Must have a "new" combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon or less • Must be in drivable condition and • Must have been continuously insured and registered to the same owner for the full year preceding the trade-in
Note: For some transactions, work trucks (very large pickup trucks and cargo vans) only qualify if they are 2001 model year or earlier. In addition to the government incentive, you may also be eligible for Ford, Lincoln or Mercury discounts. Click on any vehicle to learn more about that vehicle and see how you could save even more.
Let Ford of Ocala Recycle Your Ride - Your "Cash For Clunkers" Experts
I don't expect to have anything concrete for about a month but it seems like some details are emerging on various websites. Basically your old car/truck/van will be worth $3500 or $4500 in trade depending on which vehicle you plan to buy. If your new one gets 4 MPGs more than your old one you qualify for $3500. Improve your MPGs by 10 MPGs and you get $4500 for trade in. This is above and beyond any rebates we may be offering at the moment. The vehicle must be 1984 or newer, drivable and owned by you for a period of time. It will be recycled as scrap only. It must be applied to a new vehicle only. Program will probably run from Aug to Dec or less. You can find more on the web by searching 'Cash for Clunkers' or calling us @ 1.800.292.3338. A lot of this came from Edmunds.com. We have salespeople and sales support researching it further. We will post more as we get it.
The Congress has finally passed the 'Cash for Clunkers' bill. I reported on it early in March while it was still being hammered into shape, I believe. It sailed thru the House but was stalled in the Senate this week as they hashed out some of the details. I believe it had to do with the difference in MPG, gas mileage difference between your trade in and the vehicle you were buying.
Basically what it says is that if you trade in a car with limited MPG on a new, more fuel efficient ride the government will allow up to $4500 in trade. I'll see if I can locate a definitive article and post it here soon. In the meantime, come on in and speak to a sales associate or product specialist to see what is available. You'll be pleasantly surprised by how many of our vehicles provide better gas mileage without compromising power or comfort.
Call us @ 1.800.292.3338 or locally @ 352.732.4800 for more information. Or you can visit us 24/7 @ www.fordocala.net or www.fordofocala.com to browse our inventory, check the latest incentives and submit a credit application for pre-approval!
