Ford Reports Sales Decline in the First Quarter of 2022

Ford reported a 10.5% decline in April sales compared with a year ago, notably narrowing its losses compared with recent months.

Year-to-date, Ford's sales are down 15.3% from the same period last year.

The Dearborn automaker sold 176,965 vehicles last month. 

Sales of Ford's flagship truck lineup, F-Series, were down 22.3% in April, though the automaker noted that sales were up nearly 15% over March.

Meanwhile, competitors including American Honda Motor Co., Toyota Motor North America and Hyundai Motor Co. earlier this week reported that their sales fell in April, as well.

Ford has been attempting to prioritize chip supplies for in-demand products such as the electric Mustang Mach-E crossover, which nearly doubled in sales compared with April 2021.

The automaker and the broader auto industry continue to battle through supply chain problems such as a semiconductor chip shortage that has been affecting production for more than a year now.

Ford’s monthly U.S. sales in February and March were down by more than 20% due to the problem.

The automaker has been attempting to prioritize chip supplies for in-demand products such as the electric Mustang Mach-E crossover, which nearly doubled in sales compared with April 2021.

Sales of newer vehicles such as the Maverick small pickup and Bronco SUV also improved compared with March.

Ford noted that it picked up a percentage point in U.S. market share last month as it saw its inventory flow to dealers improve. 

Sales of Ford’s crucial F-Series full-size pickup trucks, including the F-150, continue to struggle due to supply problems. Last month sales were down 22%, pushing them to be down nearly 30% for the year. F-Series sales did increase by 15% compared with March, signaling improved production and supplies.

Ford sold 609,097 vehicles through April, a 15% decline compared with a year earlier. The company’s sales from March to April increased by 11%.