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Ford Sales Outpaced Chevy By Nearly 100K Vehicles In Q3 2021

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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 giants battling it out in many segments and markets, both at home and abroad. One of the simpler 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 third quarter of 2021.

Total Ford sales in the U.S. market fell nearly 27 percent to 383,805 units compared to 287,925 units for Chevy. That’s a difference of 95,880 units in Ford’s favor.

Sales Results - Q3 2021 - USA - Ford

MODELQ3 2021 / Q3 2020Q3 2021Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021YTD 2020
BRONCO* 9,403**10,204 0
BRONCO SPORT* 20,690**81,204 0
E-SERIES-1.66% 9,1329,286+5.09%26,467 25,186
ECOSPORT-51.95% 8,19017,045-26.92%34,494 47,200
EDGE-40.50% 15,59626,211-28.51%54,951 76,862
ESCAPE-43.99% 26,29946,956-15.15%111,791 131,753
EXPEDITION-13.95% 16,69619,402+24.07%64,204 51,747
EXPLORER-29.00% 41,93359,060-0.02%160,174 160,209
F-SERIES-22.04% 172,799221,647-9.20%534,831 589,034
FUSION-99.23% 22529,243-87.12%11,678 90,664
GT-20.00% 4050-29.93%103 147
HEAVY TRUCKS+20.17% 3,1992,662+66.76%9,889 5,930
MAVERICK* 506**506 *
MUSTANG-34.19% 9,11513,851-13.80%41,065 47,637
MUSTANG MACH-E* 5,880**18,855 0
RANGER-49.44% 14,33528,350-2.20%72,706 74,338
TRANSIT-30.35% 27,08638,890-15.88%78,799 93,670
TRANSIT CONNECT-75.44% 2,68110,916-22.27%19,621 25,241
FORD TOTAL-26.79% 383,805524,242-6.73%1,331,542 1,427,599

The most popular Ford model was the F-Series with 172,799 deliveries during the quarter. Comparatively, the Chevy Silverado was the highest-selling model for the Bow Tie brand, netting 123,067 deliveries.

Additionally, The Blue Oval’s Heavy Trucks (F-650 and F-750) were the only Ford models to experience growth during the quarter, with sales up 20 percent to 3,199 units.

Sales Results - Q3 2021 - USA - Chevrolet

MODELQ3 2021 / Q3 2020Q3 2021Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021YTD 2020
BLAZER-64.44% 10,48429,486-29.45%50,339 71,356
BOLT EUV* 2,341**2,747 0
BOLT EV-61.74% 2,1745,682+56.95%22,056 14,053
CAMARO-37.81% 5,2038,366-32.13%15,084 22,226
COLORADO-53.42% 12,69627,256-24.77%51,555 68,529
CORVETTE+59.97% 10,1666,355+95.88%24,748 12,634
EQUINOX-51.92% 32,44467,476-21.18%151,110 191,727
EXPRESS-51.87% 7,16014,875-1.62%36,589 37,190
IMPALA-98.59% 271,916-91.69%741 8,914
LOW CAB FORWARD+53.12% 1,6691,090+18.52%4,141 3,494
MALIBU-98.94% 26925,455-56.19%32,155 73,399
SILVERADO-16.56% 123,067147,484-0.06%414,389 414,650
SONIC-98.83% 514,347-85.53%1,563 10,799
SPARK-55.24% 3,7488,373-0.13%23,007 23,036
SUBURBAN+28.07% 9,6677,548+42.08%34,183 24,059
TAHOE+4.68% 24,20223,121+26.21%75,148 59,540
TRAILBLAZER+147.35% 25,53110,322+334.08%73,898 17,024
TRAVERSE-65.93% 10,76731,603+12.12%94,198 84,012
TRAX-78.77% 6,25929,485-48.49%41,306 80,193
CHEVROLET TOTAL-36.06% 287,925450,317-5.64%1,149,030 1,217,656

Truck Sales

In total, Ford truck sales fell 25 percent to 187,640 units. Meanwhile, Chevy sold 137,432 trucks, down nearly 22 percent compared to Q3 2020.

Sales Numbers - Ford Truck Sales - Q3 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
FORD MAVERICK * 506 * 0% 0% * 506 *
FORD RANGER -49.44% 14,335 28,350 8% 11% -2.20% 72,706 74,338
FORD F-SERIES -22.04% 172,799 221,647 92% 89% -9.20% 534,831 589,034
TOTAL -24.94% 187,640 249,997 -8.34% 608,043 663,372

In the full-size pickup truck race, the Ford F-Series saw 172,799 sales, regaining its title as America’s best-selling pickup truck during the quarter by overtaking the Chevy Silverado, which saw 123,067 units sold.

Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger sales decreased over 49 percent while the Chevy Colorado experienced a decline of over 53 percent, with the Ranger outselling the Colorado by 1,639 units. The new Ford Maverick added 506 units to Ford’s bottom line.

Sales Numbers - Chevy Truck Sales - Q3 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
CHEVROLET COLORADO -53.42% 12,696 27,256 9% 16% -24.77% 51,555 68,529
CHEVROLET SILVERADO -16.56% 123,067 147,484 90% 84% -0.06% 414,389 414,650
CHEVROLET LOW CAB FORWARD +53.12% 1,669 1,090 1% 1% +18.52% 4,141 3,494
TOTAL -21.84% 137,432 175,830 -3.41% 470,085 486,673

As such, Ford remains the best-selling purveyor of pickup trucks in America.

SUV Sales

Chevy outsold Ford when it comes to (body-on-frame) SUV sales during the third quarter of 2021.

Ford Expedition sales totaled 16,696 units resulting in a decline of 14 percent, with the Ford Bronco adding another 9,403 units for a total of 26,099 Ford SUVs sold during the quarter.

Sales Numbers - Ford SUV Sales - Q2 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
FORD EXPEDITION -13.95% 16,696 19,402 100% 100% +24.07% 64,204 51,747
TOTAL -13.95% 16,696 19,402 +24.07% 64,204 51,747

Meanwhile, the Tahoe and Suburban combined for 33,869 units sold, up more than 10 percent compared to the third quarter of 2020.

Sales Numbers - Chevy SUV Sales - Q2 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
CHEVROLET TAHOE +4.68% 24,202 23,121 71% 75% +26.21% 75,148 59,540
CHEVROLET SUBURBAN +28.07% 9,667 7,548 29% 25% +42.08% 34,183 24,059
TOTAL +10.43% 33,869 30,669 +30.78% 109,331 83,599

We should note that we expect Ford to begin to outsell Chevy when it comes to body-on-frame SUVs once the all-new Ford Bronco is running at full steam.

Crossover Sales

Ford crossover sales fell nearly 21 percent to 118,588 units during the third quarter of 2021. By comparison, Chevy crossover sales were down more than 48 percent to 90,000 units.

Sales Numbers - Ford Crossovers - Q2 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
FORD EXPLORER -29.00% 41,933 59,060 35% 40% -0.02% 160,174 160,209
FORD ESCAPE -43.99% 26,299 46,956 22% 31% -15.15% 111,791 131,753
FORD BRONCO SPORT * 20,690 * 17% 0% * 81,204 0
FORD EDGE -40.50% 15,596 26,211 13% 18% -28.51% 54,951 76,862
FORD ECOSPORT -51.95% 8,190 17,045 7% 11% -26.92% 34,494 47,200
FORD MUSTANG MACH-E * 5,880 * 5% 0% * 18,855 0
TOTAL -20.56% 118,588 149,272 +10.92% 461,469 416,024

The all-new Mustang Mach-E and Bronco Sport enabled The Blue Oval brand to overtake its Bow Tie rival during Q3 2021.

Sales Numbers - Chevy Crossovers - Q2 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
CHEVROLET BOLT EUV * 2,341 * 3% 0% * 2,747 0
CHEVROLET BOLT EV -61.74% 2,174 5,682 2% 3% +56.95% 22,056 14,053
CHEVROLET TRAX -78.77% 6,259 29,485 7% 17% -48.49% 41,306 80,193
CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER +147.35% 25,531 10,322 28% 6% +334.08% 73,898 17,024
CHEVROLET EQUINOX -51.92% 32,444 67,476 36% 39% -21.18% 151,110 191,727
CHEVROLET BLAZER -64.44% 10,484 29,486 12% 17% -29.45% 50,339 71,356
CHEVROLET TRAVERSE -65.93% 10,767 31,603 12% 18% +12.12% 94,198 84,012
TOTAL -48.29% 90,000 174,054 -4.95% 435,654 458,365

Car Sales

Ford car sales fell over 78 percent to 9,380 units, a direct result of the Dearborn-based automaker completely discontinuing its sedan lineup, including the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion and Taurus.

Sales Numbers - Ford Cars - Q3 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
FORD MUSTANG -34.19% 9,115 13,851 97% 32% -13.80% 41,065 47,637
FORD FUSION -99.23% 225 29,243 2% 68% -87.12% 11,678 90,664
FORD GT -20.00% 40 50 0% 0% -29.93% 103 147
TOTAL -78.26% 9,380 43,144 -61.83% 52,846 138,448

Meanwhile, Chevrolet sold about 10,000 more passenger cars at 19,464 units. Though Chevy has discontinued several car lines such as the Sonic, Cruze, Impala, Volt and Chevy SS performance sedan, it still continues to offer the Spark, Malibu, Camaro and Corvette. Production of the Camaro and Malibu, however, was idled for several months during 2021 as a result of parts and component shortages.

Sales Numbers - Chevy Cars - Q3 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
CHEVROLET CAMARO -37.81% 5,203 8,366 27% 15% -32.13% 15,084 22,226
CHEVROLET CORVETTE +59.97% 10,166 6,355 52% 12% +95.88% 24,748 12,634
CHEVROLET SPARK -55.24% 3,748 8,373 19% 15% -0.13% 23,007 23,036
CHEVROLET SONIC -98.83% 51 4,347 0% 8% -85.53% 1,563 10,799
CHEVROLET MALIBU -98.94% 269 25,455 1% 46% -56.19% 32,155 73,399
CHEVROLET IMPALA -98.59% 27 1,916 0% 3% -91.69% 741 8,914
TOTAL -64.49% 19,464 54,812 -35.57% 97,298 151,008

Van Sales

Ford outsold Chevy in the van segment more than five-fold during Q3 2021. It’s worth noting that The Bow Tie brand fields a single offering, the Express (offered in passenger, cargo and cutaway versions), versus The Blue Oval’s Transit Connect, Transit, and E-Series (the E-Series is currently available exclusively as a cutaway).

Sales Numbers - Ford Van Sales - Q3 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
FORD TRANSIT CONNECT -75.44% 2,681 10,916 7% 18% -22.27% 19,621 25,241
FORD TRANSIT -30.35% 27,086 38,890 70% 66% -15.88% 78,799 93,670
FORD E-SERIES -1.66% 9,132 9,286 23% 16% +5.09% 26,467 25,186
TOTAL -34.17% 38,899 59,092 -13.33% 124,887 144,097

Chevy Express sales totaled 7,160 units for a 51.9 percent decrease in sales volume, while total Ford van sales decreased more than 34 percent to 38,899.

Sales Numbers - Chevy Van Sales - Q3 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
CHEVROLET EXPRESS -51.87% 7,160 14,875 100% 100% -1.62% 36,589 37,190
TOTAL -51.87% 7,160 14,875 -1.62% 36,589 37,190

Notably, the Ford Transit Connect, Transit, and E-Series all experienced a decrease in sales.

EV Sales

When looking specifically at sales of battery electric vehicles, Ford sold 5,880 units of the Mustang Mach-E, currently its only EV on sale.

Sales Numbers - Ford EV Sales - Q3 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
FORD MUSTANG MACH-E * 5,880 * 100% NAN% * 18,855 0
TOTAL * 5,880 * * 18,855 0

By comparison, Chevy sold 4,515 units of its two Bolt offerings, a decrease of 20.5 percent year-over-year. For the sake of context, the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV received a refresh while gaining an all-new, larger sibling in the form of the Chevy Bolt EUV. However, sales of both models is being stifled by the ongoing stop-sale and resulting production stoppage over a battery-related fire risk.

Sales Numbers - Chevy EV Sales - Q3 2021 - United States

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
CHEVROLET BOLT EV -61.74% 2,174 5,682 48% 100% +56.95% 22,056 14,053
CHEVROLET BOLT EUV * 2,341 * 52% 0% * 2,747 0
TOTAL -20.54% 4,515 5,682 +76.50% 24,803 14,053

Overall, the Ford brand sold exactly 95,880 more units than Chevy during the third quarter of 2021, mostly as a result of higher van and 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 446,997 deliveries versus Ford’s 400,843 units.

The Ford Authority Take

Ford continued to outsell Chevy during Q3 2021, a circumstance that has taken place for the last few years. That said, the results present a somewhat distorted comparison, since both automakers continue to face major supply issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, including parts shortages, plant shut downs and other manufacturing issues, as well as a bevy of other logistical problems.

Interestingly, Ford’s 27 percent decline resulted in The Blue Oval brand losing 140,437 units year-over-year, while Chevy’s 36 percent drop caused it to lose 162,392 units. We should have more of an apples-to-apples comparison once the operating environment stabilizes and returns back to normal. When that might be, however, is currently anyone’s guess.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Ford sales for Q3 and GM sales for Q3 2020, unless noted otherwise
  • In the United States, there were 77 selling days in Q3 2021 and 77 selling days in Q3 2020
Ford Motor Company Q3 2021 sales reports:

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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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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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Francisco Cruz
4 years ago

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