Ford Explorer sales decreased in the United States, Mexico and South Korea during the first quarter of 2019.
Ford Explorer Sales - Q1 2019 - United States
In the United States, Ford Explorer deliveries totaled 53,306 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 2 percent compared to 54,131 units sold in Q1 2018.| MODEL | Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q1 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | -1.52% | 53,306 | 54,131 |
Ford Police Interceptor Utility Sales - Q1 2019 - United States
In the United States, Ford Police Interceptor Utility deliveries totaled 8,616 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 1 percent compared to 8,673 units sold in Q1 2018.| MODEL | Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q1 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLICE INTERCEPTOR UTILITY | -0.66% | 8,616 | 8,673 |
Ford Explorer Sales - Q1 2019 - Mexico
In Mexico, Ford Explorer deliveries totaled 391 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 43 percent compared to 680 units sold in Q1 2018.| MODEL | Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q1 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | -42.50% | 391 | 680 |
Ford Explorer Sales - Q1 2019 - South Korea
In South Korea, Ford Explorer deliveries totaled 1,462 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 14 percent compared to 1,697 units sold in Q1 2018.| MODEL | Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q1 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | -13.85% | 1,462 | 1,697 |
Competitive Sales Comparison
Ford Explorer sales continued to decline in Q1 2019, with the results coming on the heels of declines in Q4 2018 as well as for the entire 2018 calendar year. That said, the nameplate still dominated its segment from a sales volume standpoint, nearly doubling the sales volume of the third place contender, the Chevrolet Traverse.
The Ford Explorer and its police-duty twin, the Ford Police Interceptor Utility, maintained their first-place position with a combined 61,922 sales, followed by the Toyota Highlander in second. The Chevrolet Traverse (see Chevy Traverse sales) was third in the segment, followed by the Honda Pilot, Subaru Ascent, Nissan Pathfinder, Dodge Durango (see Dodge Durango sales), Volkswagen Atlas (see VW Atlas sales), Mazda CX-9 (see Mazda CX-9 sales), and the all-new Kia Telluride. The Kia is the newest entry in the space and it will soon be joined by its corporate cousin, the all-new Hyundai Palisade.
Sales Numbers - Mainstream Full-Size Crossovers - Q1 2019 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 19 / Q1 18 | Q1 19 | Q1 18 | Q1 19 SHARE | Q1 18 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD EXPLORER | -1.52% | 53,306 | 54,131 | 20% | 22% |
| FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR UTILITY | -0.66% | 8,616 | 8,673 | 3% | 3% |
| TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | -0.49% | 52,621 | 52,882 | 20% | 21% |
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | -10.41% | 34,223 | 38,198 | 13% | 15% |
| HONDA PILOT | -12.89% | 32,957 | 37,833 | 13% | 15% |
| SUBARU ASCENT | * | 19,073 | * | 7% | 0% |
| NISSAN PATHFINDER | -4.15% | 17,354 | 18,106 | 7% | 7% |
| DODGE DURANGO | +4.84% | 17,019 | 16,233 | 6% | 7% |
| VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS | +5.60% | 15,979 | 15,132 | 6% | 6% |
| MAZDA CX-9 | -16.52% | 6,418 | 7,688 | 2% | 3% |
| KIA TELLURIDE | * | 5,395 | * | 2% | 0% |
| TOTAL | +5.66% | 262,961 | 248,876 |
From a market share standpoint, the Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility accounted for a combined 23 percent market share – the highest in the segment. The Toyota Highlander had 20 percent, Chevy Traverse and Honda Pilot each had 13, the all-new Subaru Ascent and Nissan Pathfinder each had 7, followed by the Dodge Durango and VW Atlas at 6 percent each. The Mazda CX-9 and Kia Telluride brought up the rear with 2 percent each.
The mainstream full-size crossover segment grew 6 percent in Q1 2019, with 262,961 units sold compared to 248,876 units sold in Q1 2018.
For informational and comparative purposes, we are also providing sales figures for midsize and midsize-plus crossover SUV models that overlap with full-size crossover SUVs like the Explorer, either in price, seating capacity or both. In other words, these not-quite-full-size crossovers are often cross-shopped with full-size crossover SUVs like the Explorer. These models include:
- GMC Acadia (see GMC Acadia sales) Kia Sorento, and Mitsubishi Outlander – which are midsize crossovers with three rows
- Jeep Grand Cherokee (see Jeep Grand Cherokee sales), Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, Chevrolet Blazer, and Hyundai Santa Fe – which have two rows of seating but are sold at a similar price point to the Traverse and therefore overlap the full-size crossover segment
Sales Numbers - Overlapping Crossover Sales - Q1 2019 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 19 / Q1 18 | Q1 19 | Q1 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRAND CHEROKEE | +8.05% | 57,749 | 53,448 |
| ACADIA | +4.35% | 31,200 | 29,900 |
| SORENTO | +10.44% | 23,619 | 21,386 |
| MURANO | -43.40% | 11,729 | 20,722 |
| OUTLANDER | +4.89% | 13,740 | 13,099 |
| EDGE | -5.31% | 30,920 | 32,654 |
| BLAZER | * | 3,023 | * |
| SANTA FE | +0.46% | 28,683 | 28,552 |
The Ford Authority Take
The decline in Ford Explorer sales isn’t particularly alarming when you consider its tremendous sales volume compared to most of the competition. In addition, Explorer saw sales decline a mere 1.52 percent compared to the Mazda CX-9, which saw sales volume shrink by nearly 17 percent.
We believe that Ford Explorer sales are falling as a result of the impending launch of the upcoming 2020 Ford Explorer as some consumers hold out for the all-new model that moves to a rear-drive architecture. Going forward, we expect Ford Explorer sales volume to be subpar compared to 2018, at least until the sixth-generation model becomes available and launches at full scale.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Ford Explorer Q1 2018 sales
- In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q1 2019 and 76 selling days in Q1 2018
- Ford Police Interceptor Utility is the police version of the Ford Explorer; Police Interceptor Utility sales are not included in the Explorer line item
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