DETROIT — Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) sold more vehicles in the U.S. last month than Ford Motor Co. (F), marking the second time ever that the No. 2 domestic automaker was beaten out by its Japanese rival.

Ford reported Friday that its U.S. auto sales dropped 9.7 percent in November compared with the same period a year ago. Toyota sold 196,695 vehicles in November, a 15.9 percent increase over November 2005, compared with Ford's 181,111.

Toyota's sales, including its Lexus luxury brand, were boosted by a 17.8 percent increase in light truck sales. Sales of the RAV4 compact sport utility vehicle had their best November ever, up 156.9 percent to 11,425. Toyota's car sales were up 14.5 percent to 109,126.

Ford's light truck sales dropped 13 percent to 119,259, while car sales fell 2.6 percent to 61,852, reflecting lower deliveries to fleet customers.

But the Dearborn-based company said car sales to individual retail customers were up for the Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ midsize sedans. Ford's figures include the Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover brands.


Ford's share of the domestic market has declined from around 26 percent in the early 1990s to 17.6 percent at the end of October. In July, Ford sold fewer vehicles in the U.S. than Toyota for the first time, but Ford's U.S. sales surpassed Toyota's in August through October.

 

Ford themselves predict continued sales declines and production declines going into, and throughout 2007, so expect this to become the norm. Toyota will likely stay as 2nd place in North American market share behind GM in 2007.

 

The amazing thing is that Toyota sold more out of two brands than Ford did out of six brands.

 

And this is why the phrase 'More is not always better' is correct!
Go GM!!!!!!!!!!!.............O yeah Go Toyota!!