Ford Explorer sales increased in the United States and South Korea but decreased in Mexico during the first quarter of 2020.
| MODEL | Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 | Q1 2020 | Q1 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | +5.64% | 56,310 | 53,306 |
| MODEL | Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 | Q1 2020 | Q1 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | * | 3,733 | * |
| MODEL | Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 | Q1 2020 | Q1 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | -80.05% | 78 | 391 |
| MODEL | Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 | Q1 2020 | Q1 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | +3.97% | 1,520 | 1,462 |
Combined sales of the Ford Explorer and its police-duty variant, the Police Interceptor Utility, totaled 56,310 units during the quarter in the United States. The performance places the Explorer in first place in its segment by sales volume.
Following the Explorer are the Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, Dodge Durango, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Subaru Ascent, Volkswagen Atlas (see VW Atlas sales), and the Mazda CX-9.
| MODEL | Q1 20 / Q1 19 | Q1 20 | Q1 19 | Q1 20 SHARE | Q1 19 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD EXPLORER | +5.64% | 56,310 | 53,306 | 21% | 21% |
| TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | -8.99% | 47,890 | 52,621 | 18% | 21% |
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | -12.06% | 30,095 | 34,223 | 11% | 13% |
| HONDA PILOT | -27.49% | 23,898 | 32,957 | 9% | 13% |
| NISSAN PATHFINDER | +4.25% | 18,092 | 17,354 | 7% | 7% |
| DODGE DURANGO | +4.62% | 17,805 | 17,019 | 7% | 7% |
| KIA TELLURIDE | +211.88% | 16,826 | 5,395 | 6% | 2% |
| HYUNDAI PALISADE | * | 16,333 | * | 6% | 0% |
| SUBARU ASCENT | -18.08% | 15,624 | 19,073 | 6% | 7% |
| VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS | -3.58% | 15,407 | 15,979 | 6% | 6% |
| MAZDA CX-9 | +12.48% | 7,219 | 6,418 | 3% | 3% |
| TOTAL | +4.39% | 265,499 | 254,345 |
The Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility held a combined 21 percent segment share, ahead of the 18 percent held by the second-place Toyota Highlander. The Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Pilot held 11 and 9 percent, respectively, while all other models held less than 8 percent share.
The three-row, large crossover segment expanded nearly 4 percent to 264,370 units in Q1 2020.
For informational and comparative purposes, we are also providing sales figures for midsize SUV models that overlap with large crossover SUVs like the Explorer – either in price, seating capacity, or both. Despite the fact that these models are physically smaller than the Explorer and its direct rivals, they are often cross-shopped. These overlapping vehicles include:
| MODEL | Q1 20 / Q1 19 | Q1 20 | Q1 19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | -13.27% | 50,083 | 57,749 |
| FORD EDGE | -4.27% | 29,599 | 30,920 |
| CHEVROLET BLAZER | +632.51% | 22,144 | 3,023 |
| HYUNDAI SANTA FE | -27.98% | 20,658 | 28,683 |
| KIA SORENTO | -23.56% | 18,055 | 23,619 |
| GMC ACADIA | -43.31% | 17,686 | 31,200 |
| NISSAN MURANO | +33.71% | 15,683 | 11,729 |
| MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER | -6.78% | 12,809 | 13,740 |
Following a rather rocky launch of the all-new model, Ford Explorer sales finally started to increase during the first quarter of 2020. That is great news, especially given that roughly two weeks of sales were lost in March as a result of the developing COVID-19 pandemic.
Unfortunately, we expect sales of the new large crossover SUV to dip substantially in the near term over the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused Ford to idle all vehicle production in North America as it switches to making ventilators, respirators, face shields and masks to fight the virus.
Once coronavirus-related impacts begin to wind down and production resumes, Explorer sales should continue to pick back up. However, competition in the space is heating up as three competing models – Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Mazda CX-9 – showed very strong gains during Q1. Combined, the Kia and Hyundai accounted for nearly 35,000 units, which is over half of Explorer sales. The results are very impressive for the two new Korean models, given that both Hyundai and Kia were almost non-existent in this segment 24 months ago.
Other rivals that will add competitive pressure to the Explorer are GM’s Chevrolet Traverse, which will receive a fairly attractive refresh for the 2022 model year. Meanwhile, FCA is expected to launch an all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee in 2020. The popular Jeep vehicle will add a three-row variant for this go-round.
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That’s good news for FORD and Explorer after the mess that was made at rollout which also affected the sales of the Lincoln Aviator both are really sharp looking SUV hopefully the same will happen with its luxury model as well. I would still like to see this platform used for the next 4 door Lincoln Continental, Concept FORD 49 & maybe a Lincoln 2 door Continental or MARK 9, as well as the next Mustang