HBO Special: Nissan Up, Ford Down

[SDRonEbay]

Update 1: Ford Sales Off; Nissan Sees Record Results

Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday new vehicle sales in October fell 5 percent from October 2003, the eighth time this year monthly sales have been below year-ago results. Nissan Motor Co.'s U.S. arm, meantime, rode a slew of new products to its best October on record.

Sales of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brand trucks were up 3 percent at the nation's second-largest automaker, but that demand was not nearly enough to offset a 22 percent decline in car sales - an all-too familiar trend for Ford this year.

Combined sales for Nissan and its luxury Infiniti division were up 27.3 percent in October from a year ago, the best October ever for Nissan North America. Truck sales climbed 46 percent from a year ago on strong demand for the new Nissan Pathfinder and the Titan full-size pickup, the Japanese automaker's first entry in that category.

"Sales of the Titan continue to increase even in a very competitive segment," said Jed Connelly, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Nissan's North American division.

Despite the year-over-year drop in business, Ford officials said they were bullish on prospects for the remainder of 2004 and beyond, given the recent rollout of several new cars and trucks, some of which are just beginning to reach showrooms in significant numbers.

They include the Ford Five Hundred flagship sedan, Freestyle crossover vehicle, Escape Hybrid sport utility vehicle and Mustang sports car.

Ford said last week that October sales of the Five Hundred and Freestyle - their first full month on the market - had exceeded company expectations. The Dearborn-based automaker said it has taken 50,000 orders for the Five-Hundred and 30,000 orders for the Freestyle.

"We're very encouraged by the early dealer and consumer response to our new products," said Jim O'Connor, Ford's group vice president for North American marketing, sales and service. "We have our sights set on stronger retail sales in the months ahead."

Korean automakers Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. posted double-digit sales gains for October - Hyundai up 15 percent and Kia, aided by aggressive marketing and new vehicles, up 51 percent.

Other major automakers, including General Motors Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group, were scheduled to release October results later Wednesday.

Analysts have predicted U.S. auto sales, which surged to the second-highest level of 2004 in September, likely cooled in October, more so for Detroit's Big Three carmakers than foreign brands.

Heavy-but-costly incentive spending at the end of September may have pulled ahead a portion of October sales for some automakers, while sagging consumer confidence may have hurt business, observers say.

In afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Ford shares rose 10 cents to $13.34.

[PalmerWMD]

Thanks for the update jayson!

Fred..

[SDRonEbay]

No prob.

I have a hope that some of the guys on here are more than just drivers and some are investor's in Nissan. I think if Nissan's followers got more involved with the company on any level, we would not only see better quality than in the past 3 years, but we will also see the passing of the crown from Toyota to Nissan and Mr. Ford will be knocked down to #3.

[silkk]

Nissan will always be #1 to me!