One of the longest-running rivalries in the auto world is that of Ford vs. Chevrolet. The contention is alive and well to this day, with the two American auto brands battling it out in many segments and markets, both at home and abroad. One of the more simple ways to determine which of the two legendary marques is coming out ahead in the rivalry is by raw sales figures, and that’s what we’ll do here today for the first quarter of 2021.
Total Ford sales in the U.S. market totaled 495,924 units compared to 427,950 units for Chevrolet. That’s a difference of 67,974 units.
Sales Results - Q1 2021 - USA - Ford
| MODEL | Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 | Q1 2021 | Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRONCO SPORT | * | 23,356 | * |
| E-SERIES | +4.70% | 10,573 | 10,098 |
| ECOSPORT | -0.35% | 12,878 | 12,923 |
| EDGE | -25.17% | 22,150 | 29,599 |
| ESCAPE | -14.81% | 40,990 | 48,117 |
| EXPEDITION | +12.50% | 22,263 | 19,790 |
| EXPLORER | +15.87% | 65,244 | 56,310 |
| F-SERIES | +9.24% | 203,797 | 186,562 |
| FIESTA | -94.72% | 51 | 966 |
| FUSION | -78.64% | 7,889 | 36,937 |
| GT | -58.23% | 33 | 79 |
| HEAVY TRUCKS | +111.13% | 3,623 | 1,716 |
| MUSTANG | -4.40% | 17,274 | 18,069 |
| MUSTANG MACH-E | * | 6,614 | * |
| RANGER | +15.19% | 24,166 | 20,980 |
| TRANSIT | -25.48% | 27,451 | 36,836 |
| TRANSIT CONNECT | +0.77% | 7,623 | 7,565 |
| FORD TOTAL | +1.05% | 495,924 | 490,769 |
Ford F-Series sales grew over 9 percent to 203,797 units, enabling the nameplate to retain its title as America’s best-selling pickup truck as well as the best-selling Ford model. Comparatively, the Chevy Silverado was the highest-selling model for the Bow Tie brand, netting 126,591 deliveries.
Sales Results - Q1 2021 - USA - Chevrolet
| MODEL | Q1 2021 / Q1 2020 | Q1 2021 | Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLAZER | -13.00% | 19,265 | 22,144 |
| BOLT EV | +53.67% | 9,025 | 5,873 |
| CAMARO | -1.34% | 7,089 | 7,185 |
| COLORADO | +12.38% | 24,083 | 21,430 |
| CORVETTE | +73.06% | 6,611 | 3,820 |
| EQUINOX | -13.93% | 63,218 | 73,453 |
| EXPRESS | +26.81% | 16,877 | 13,309 |
| IMPALA | -90.69% | 462 | 4,965 |
| LOW CAB FORWARD | +10.38% | 957 | 867 |
| MALIBU | -23.51% | 26,987 | 35,283 |
| SILVERADO | -12.54% | 126,591 | 144,734 |
| SONIC | -75.47% | 1,065 | 4,341 |
| SPARK | +23.02% | 11,505 | 9,352 |
| SUBURBAN | +17.36% | 11,143 | 9,495 |
| TAHOE | +12.91% | 23,038 | 20,403 |
| TRAILBLAZER | +834,033.00% | 25,024 | 3 |
| TRAVERSE | +26.39% | 38,037 | 30,095 |
| TRAX | -39.97% | 16,955 | 28,242 |
| CHEVROLET TOTAL | -1.72% | 427,950 | 435,422 |
Meanwhile, Ford Heavy Trucks (F-650 and F-750) experienced the largest gain for The Blue Oval, growing by 111 percent to 3,623 units. Comparatively, the Chevy vehicle to experience the largest growth was the Trailblazer, going from 3 units sold in Q1 2020 (when it was just launching) to 25,024 units in Q1 2021.
Truck Sales
In total, Ford sold a total of 227,963 units, for a gain of nearly 10 percent, Chevy sold 150,674 pickup trucks, down more than 9 percent compared to Q1 2020.
Sales Numbers - Ford Truck Sales - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD F-SERIES | +9.24% | 203,797 | 186,562 | 89% | 90% |
| FORD RANGER | +15.19% | 24,166 | 20,980 | 11% | 10% |
| TOTAL | +9.84% | 227,963 | 207,542 |
The Ford F-Series retained its title as America’s best-selling pickup truck, with a commanding 203,797 units sold compared to the Chevy Silverado’s 126,591 deliveries.
Meanwhile, the Ranger posted an impressive 15 percent growth to 24,166 units, outselling the Chevy Colorado.
Sales Numbers - GM Truck Sales - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET COLORADO | +12.38% | 24,083 | 21,430 | 16% | 13% |
| CHEVROLET SILVERADO | -12.54% | 126,591 | 144,734 | 84% | 87% |
| TOTAL | -9.32% | 150,674 | 166,164 |
As such, Ford remains the best-selling purveyor of pickup trucks in America.
SUV Sales
Ford Expedition sales totaled 22,263 units thanks to a healthy gain of 12.5 percent. However, the Tahoe and Suburban sold a combined 34,181 units, more than 14 percent compared to the first quarter of 2020.
Sales Numbers - Ford SUV Sales - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD EXPEDITION | +12.50% | 22,263 | 19,790 | 100% | 100% |
| TOTAL | +12.50% | 22,263 | 19,790 |
As such, Ford is the second-best-seller of SUVs in the U.S., something that we expect will change with the arrival of all-new Ford Bronco.
Sales Numbers - GM SUV Sales - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TAHOE | +12.91% | 23,038 | 20,403 | 67% | 68% |
| CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | +17.36% | 11,143 | 9,495 | 33% | 32% |
| TOTAL | +14.33% | 34,181 | 29,898 |
Crossover Sales
Ford crossover sales grew 16.5 percent to 171,232 units during the first quarter of 2021. By comparison, Chevy crossover sales totaled 171,524 units.
Sales Numbers - Ford Crossovers - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD EXPLORER | +15.87% | 65,244 | 56,310 | 38% | 38% |
| FORD ESCAPE | -14.81% | 40,990 | 48,117 | 24% | 33% |
| FORD BRONCO SPORT | * | 23,356 | * | 14% | 0% |
| FORD EDGE | -25.17% | 22,150 | 29,599 | 13% | 20% |
| FORD ECOSPORT | -0.35% | 12,878 | 12,923 | 8% | 9% |
| FORD MUSTANG MACH-E | * | 6,614 | * | 4% | 0% |
| TOTAL | +16.52% | 171,232 | 146,949 |
The all-new Mustang Mach-E and Bronco Sport enabled The Blue Oval brand to close the gap on its Bow Tie rival during Q1 2021.
Sales Numbers - GM Crossovers - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET BOLT EV | +53.67% | 9,025 | 5,873 | 5% | 4% |
| CHEVROLET TRAX | -39.97% | 16,955 | 28,242 | 10% | 18% |
| CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER | +834,033.00% | 25,024 | 3 | 15% | 0% |
| CHEVROLET EQUINOX | -13.93% | 63,218 | 73,453 | 37% | 46% |
| CHEVROLET BLAZER | -13.00% | 19,265 | 22,144 | 11% | 14% |
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | +26.39% | 38,037 | 30,095 | 22% | 19% |
| TOTAL | +7.33% | 171,524 | 159,810 |
Car Sales
Ford car sales totaled 25,195 units as the Dearborn-based automaker completely discontinued its sedan lineup, including the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion and Taurus.
Sales Numbers - Ford Cars - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD MUSTANG | -4.40% | 17,274 | 18,069 | 69% | 33% |
| FORD FUSION | -78.64% | 7,889 | 36,937 | 31% | 67% |
| FORD GT | -58.23% | 33 | 79 | 0% | 0% |
| TOTAL | -54.26% | 25,196 | 55,085 |
Meanwhile, Chevy sold more than twice as many passenger cars, at 53,719 units.
Sales Numbers - Chevy Cars - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET CAMARO | -1.34% | 7,089 | 7,185 | 13% | 11% |
| CHEVROLET CORVETTE | +73.06% | 6,611 | 3,820 | 12% | 6% |
| CHEVROLET SPARK | +23.02% | 11,505 | 9,352 | 21% | 14% |
| CHEVROLET SONIC | -75.47% | 1,065 | 4,341 | 2% | 7% |
| CHEVROLET MALIBU | -23.51% | 26,987 | 35,283 | 50% | 54% |
| CHEVROLET IMPALA | -90.69% | 462 | 4,965 | 1% | 8% |
| TOTAL | -17.29% | 53,719 | 64,946 |
Van Sales
Ford out sold Chevy in the van segment nearly three-fold. It’s worth noting that The Bow Tie brand fields a single offering, the Express, versus The Blue Oval’s Transit Connect, Transit, and E-Series.
Sales Numbers - Chevy Van Sales - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET EXPRESS | +26.81% | 16,877 | 13,309 | 100% | 100% |
| TOTAL | +26.81% | 16,877 | 13,309 |
The Express totaled 16,877 units for a 27 percent increase in sales volume, while the total number of Ford van units decreased by 16 percent to 45,647 units.
Sales Numbers - Ford Van Sales - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD TRANSIT CONNECT | +0.77% | 7,623 | 7,565 | 17% | 14% |
| FORD TRANSIT | -25.48% | 27,451 | 36,836 | 60% | 68% |
| FORD E-SERIES | +4.70% | 10,573 | 10,098 | 23% | 19% |
| TOTAL | -16.24% | 45,647 | 54,499 |
The Ford Transit Connect and E-Series both experienced a small increase in sales, while Transit sales decreased by over 25 percent.
EV Sales
When singling out vehicles that offer electric powertrains, the win goes to Chevy, courtesy of the Bolt EV which sold 9,025 units for a 54 percent increase.
Sales Numbers - Chevy EV Sales - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET BOLT EV | +53.67% | 9,025 | 5,873 | 100% | 100% |
| TOTAL | +53.67% | 9,025 | 5,873 |
Comparatively, the new-to-market Mustang Mach-E sold 2,411 less units, though the results are still impressive for the nameplate’s first-ever sales performance.
Sales Numbers - Ford EV Sales - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD MUSTANG MACH-E | * | 6,614 | * | 100% | NAN% |
| TOTAL | * | 6,614 | * |
Overall, the Ford brand sold 67,947 more units than Chevy during the first quarter of 2021, mostly as a result of higher truck sales. However, it’s worth noting that General Motors (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC) sold more vehicles than the Ford Motor Company (the Ford brand plus Lincoln) during the same timeframe. To wit – GM posted 642,250 deliveries to Ford’s 521,334 units.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Ford sales for Q1 2020, unless noted otherwise
- In the United States, there were 74 selling days in Q1 2021 and 76 selling days in Q1 2020
- Ford Motor Company sales Q1 2021 U.S.A
- Ford Motor Company sales January 2021 U.S.A.
- Ford sales January 2021 U.S.A.
- Lincoln sales January 2021 U.S.A.
- Ford Motor Company sales February 2021 U.S.A.
- Ford sales February 2021 U.S.A.
- Lincoln sales February 2021 U.S.A.
- Ford Motor Company sales March 2021 U.S.A.
- Ford sales March 2021 U.S.A.
- Lincoln sales March 2021 U.S.A.
- Ford Motor Company sales January 2021 U.S.A.
- Ford China sales Q1 2021
- Ford Motor Company Canada sales Q1 2021
- Ford Canada sales Q1 2021
- Lincoln Canada sales Q1 2021
- Ford Motor Company Argentina sales Q1 2021
- Ford Argentina sales January 2021 (Ford brand)
- Ford Argentina sales February 2021 (Ford brand)
- Ford Argentina sales March 2021 (Ford brand)
- Ford Motor Company Brazil sales Q1 2021
- Ford Brazil sales January 2021 (Ford brand)
- Ford Brazil sales February 2021 (Ford brand)
- Ford Brazil sales March 2021 (Ford brand)
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales Q1 2020
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales January 2021
- Ford Korea sales January 2021
- Lincoln Korea sales January 2021
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales February 2021
- Ford Korea sales February 2021
- Lincoln Korea sales February 2021
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales March 2020
- Ford Korea sales March 2020
- Lincoln Korea sales March 2020
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales January 2021
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales Q1 2020
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales January 2021
- Ford Mexico sales January 2021
- Lincoln Mexico sales January 2021
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales February 2021
- Ford Mexico sales February 2021
- Lincoln Mexico sales February 2021
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales March 2021
- Ford Mexico sales March 2021
- Lincoln Mexico sales March 2021
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales January 2021
- Ford Russia sales Q1 2021
- Ford Russia sales January 2020
- Ford Russia sales February 2020
- Ford Russia sales March 2020
- Ford Motor Company sales Q1 2021 by vehicle type
- FoMoCo car sales Q1 2021
- FoMoCo crossover sales Q1 2021
- FoMoCo SUV sales Q1 2021
- FoMoCo truck sales Q1 2021
- FoMoCo van sales Q1 2021
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Comments
I’m sure Ford would’ve absolutely destroyed GM if there wasn’t a chip shortage especially with GMs quality being some of the worse in the industry and people starting to take notice of that…but next year I think with the F-150 Lightning, the regular F-150, the Bronco, the Bronco Sport, the refreshed Navigator, the Lincoln EV ,and the Mach-E hopefully able to produce at full capacity Ford shouldn’t have a problem beating the entirety of GM. GM has no good products coming out soon and their quality certainly isn’t getting any better and they’re certainly not putting their customers first😂
Fun with numbers… are all these sales completed deliveries? Lets hope FORD after sales service does not drop the ball and dealers remain committed to factory pricing at POS.
GMC trucks / Chevy trucks, always seem to be counted as two separate numbers (as the author of any article sees fit), but let’s be more realistic. If ford spins off mustang and/or bronco as a separate brand (as has been hinted for a while), will ford sales suddenly drop like a rock? NO. Ford, just as GM as various ‘branding”, but they all belong to GM or Ford and when the counting is done, they should be counted as such.