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Ford Transit Sales Defy COVID-19, Jump 16 Percent In Q1 2020

By Francisco Cruz

June 24, 2020 1:17 pm

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Ford Transit sales increased in the United States and Mexico while decreasing in Russia and Argentina during the first quarter of 2020.

Ford Transit Sales - Q1 2020 - United States

In the United States, Ford Transit deliveries totaled 36,836 units in Q1 2020, an increase of about 16 percent compared to 31,842 units sold in Q1 2019.
MODEL Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 Q1 2020 Q1 2019
TRANSIT +15.68% 36,836 31,842

Ford Transit Sales - Q1 2020 - Canada

In Canada, Ford Transit deliveries totaled 2,962 units in Q1 2020.
MODEL Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 Q1 2020 Q1 2019
TRANSIT * 2,962 *

Ford Transit Sales - Q1 2020 - Mexico

In Mexico, Ford Transit deliveries totaled 1,131 units in Q1 2020, an increase of about 37 percent compared to 828 units sold in Q1 2019.
MODEL Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 Q1 2020 Q1 2019
TRANSIT +36.59% 1,131 828

Ford Transit Sales - Q1 2020 - Russia

In Russia, Ford Transit deliveries totaled 2,116 units in Q1 2020, a decrease of about 9 percent compared to 2,322 units sold in Q1 2019.
MODEL Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 Q1 2020 Q1 2019
TRANSIT -8.87% 2,116 2,322

Ford Transit Sales - Q1 2020 - Argentina

In Argentina, Ford Transit deliveries totaled 49 units in Q1 2020, a decrease of about 63 percent compared to 133 units sold in Q1 2019.
MODEL Q1 2020 / Q1 2019 Q1 2020 Q1 2019
TRANSIT -63.16% 49 133

Competitive Sales Comparison

U.S. Ford Transit sales enabled the vehicle to maintain its leading position in its segment by sales volume during Q1 2020, outselling other rivals including the Chevrolet Express (see Chevy Express sales), Ford E-Series (see Ford E-Series sales), Ram ProMaster, GMC Savana (see GMC Savana sales), as well as the Nissan NV.

The Ford Transit accounted for 47 percent of the segment, the Express saw 17 percent, Ford E-Series saw 13 percent, Ram ProMaster accounted for 12 percent, and the GMC Savana and Nissan NV held 5 percent each.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Vans - Q1 2020 - United States

MODEL Q1 20 / Q1 19 Q1 20 Q1 19 Q1 20 SHARE Q1 19 SHARE
FORD TRANSIT +15.68% 36,836 31,842 47% 38%
CHEVROLET EXPRESS -22.69% 13,309 17,215 17% 20%
FORD E-SERIES -6.42% 10,098 10,791 13% 13%
RAM PROMASTER -28.04% 9,585 13,319 12% 16%
GMC SAVANA -36.31% 4,182 6,566 5% 8%
NISSAN NV -17.28% 3,728 4,507 5% 5%
TOTAL -7.72% 77,738 84,240

It’s also worth noting that combined deliveries of the Ford Transit and E-Series totaled 46,934 units, accounting for 60 percent segment share during the quarter. That was significantly higher than the combined total of GM’s Chevy Express and GMC Savana, which saw cumulative deliveries of 17,491 units for a 22 percent combined segment share – significantly less than that of The Blue Oval.

The full-size mainstream van segment, which includes passenger, cargo, and cutaway/chassis cab models, contracted 7.72 percent to 77,738 units in Q1 2020. As such, Ford Transit sales during the quarter outperformed the segment average by a significant margin.

The Ford Authority Take

Ford Transit sales continued to blow away the competition during the first quarter, outselling all rivals and accounting for the dominant portion of the full-size van sales volume in the U.S.. The next best-selling offering, GM’s archaic Chevrolet Express, sold less than half as many units as the Transit.

Additionally, Transit sales defied the industry-wide sales slump associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, likely as a result of increased demand for ambulances. In fact, the Transit might be able to sidestep the pandemic entirely, which should come as great news for The Blue Oval, its fans, stakeholders, and investors.

Going forward, we expect the Transit to continue dominating the segment and retain its substantial lead in terms of sales volume and market share, despite competition from Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana and Ram ProMaster. Meanwhile, Nissan is rumored to withdraw from this segment and discontinue the NV van, giving Ford an opportunity to take over the Japanese automaker’s (relatively small) sales volume.

We should also mention that electrified Transit models on the horizon, with Ford planning to launch an all-electric Transit as well as a Transit PHEV.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Ford Transit sales for Q1 2019
  • In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q1 2020 and 76 selling days in Q1 2019
  • Sales numbers for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van are not available, since the Mercedes-Benz Vans division does not break out sales by model. Requests to provide the sales data have been continuously declined.

More Information & Sales Reporting

This report was brought to you in collaboration with our sister publication, GM Authority.

By Francisco Cruz

Frankie's first favorite car was a 1968 Ford Mustang, and he's had a strong appreciation for the nameplate ever since. Later in his youth he became infatuated with Eleanor, thanks to Nicholas Cage's stellar performance. Frank's a real jokester, too.

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Comments

  1. Mike

    Article on Transit sales does not even mention the largest competitor – the Sprinter. Disappointing!

    Reply
  2. Mike

    You won’t find any 2020 Q1 sales for Sprinters. They didn’t get their EPA/CA approvals until April 2020.

    Reply

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