Ford expects U.S. sales to reach 13 million

Alan Mulally and Mike Rowe with the 2011 Ford Explorer

As the economy rebounds, Ford Motor Co. is expecting U.S. annual light-vehicle sales to reach close to 13 million units in 2011.

With October sales shaping up to be stronger than September”s, sales of light vehicles will come in at a 12 million rate for the month. “We’re thinking that we could move up past 12 million maybe closer to 13 million for 2011,” CEO Alan Mulally said. “So it’s gradual expansion, but very solid.”

Third-quarter GDP rose two percent, and Mulally expects it to expand by three percent next year. Through the first nine months of the year, industry-wide light-vehicle sales hovered around a rate of 11.5 million, up from the year previous when it was in the range of 10.5 million.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News