Ford Pickup Truck Sales Sink as Automakers’ Struggle Continues

Ford Motor Co.’s latest sales numbers are in and they are not good.

The company said sales slipped by more than 17% in the first quarter of the year, compared to the same period last year. The overall drop included a more than 23% decline in truck sales, according to the company.

Ford F-Series truck sales were down 31% for the quarter, while Explorer (-34.5%), Ranger (-27%) and Expedition models (-56.3%) also saw significant declines. Ford’s Lincoln brand saw an overall 24.6% drop in sales during the quarter.

On the bright side, Bronco Sport sales jumped by 24.5% and Ford Edge sales increased by 19.2% for the quarter.

Ford said the global semiconductor chip shortage is still causing production problems. That has prevented the company and other automakers from taking advantage of the high demand for new cars.

“If we didn’t have the supply chain issues or the inventory constraints that we are currently seeing, we would be doing more volume,” Ford dealer Thad Szott told the Detroit Free Press. “Many customers are choosing to order a new vehicle and others that need something sooner are much more flexible. We always find a solution.”

General Motors also saw a decrease in new car sales over the first three months, with sales down more than 20% compared to the first three months of 2021. Stellantis reported a 14% decline in sales over the same period.

Meanwhile, Ford and other major automakers are struggling to ensure that the cars they do produce are actually safe to drive.

The company announced in April that it is calling back roughly 345,000 Bronco and Explorer vehicles, citing the risk of fires stemming from oil leaks. The company said late last year it was recalling some 185,000 F-150 pickup trucks whose malfunctioning insulators could cause drivers to lose control or driving power.

How California's Lemon Law Works

Ford is not alone: Major car manufacturers recall millions of vehicles around the world each year, citing a broad range of defects that pose serious safety risks.

Fortunately, California car owners have some valuable rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. That means they do not have to wait for their vehicles to be recalled in order to get problems fixed.

Formally known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the lemon law requires auto manufacturers to perform a wide variety of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. The law also obligates manufacturers to buy back (or replace, in some cases) vehicles that they cannot or refuse to fix. That includes compensating the owner for the purchase price, financing fees, rental car costs and other related expenses.

Speak with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.