Ford Explorer sales decreased in the United States and Canada while increasing in Mexico during the fourth quarter of 2022.
Ford Explorer Sales - Q4 2022 - United States
In the United States, Ford Explorer deliveries totaled 51,430 units in Q4 2022, a decrease of about 14 percent compared to 59,697 units sold in Q4 2021.During the complete 2022 calendar year, Explorer sales decreased about 6 percent to 207,673 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2022 / Q4 2021 | Q4 2022 | Q4 2021 | YTD 2022 / YTD 2021 | YTD 2022 | YTD 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | -13.85% | 51,430 | 59,697 | -5.55% | 207,673 | 219,871 |
Ford Explorer Sales - Q4 2022 - Canada
In Canada, Ford Explorer deliveries totaled 2,940 units in Q4 2022, a decrease of about 27 percent compared to 4,055 units sold in Q4 2021.During the complete 2022 calendar year, Explorer sales decreased about 4 percent to 15,766 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2022 / Q4 2021 | Q4 2022 | Q4 2021 | YTD 2022 / YTD 2021 | YTD 2022 | YTD 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | -27.50% | 2,940 | 4,055 | -3.80% | 15,766 | 16,388 |
Ford Explorer Sales - Q4 2022 - Mexico
In Mexico, Ford Explorer deliveries totaled 402 units in Q4 2022, an increase of about 9 percent compared to 369 units sold in Q4 2021.During the complete 2022 calendar year, Explorer sales increased about 27 percent to 1,519 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2022 / Q4 2021 | Q4 2022 | Q4 2021 | YTD 2022 / YTD 2021 | YTD 2022 | YTD 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | +8.94% | 402 | 369 | +27.43% | 1,519 | 1,192 |
Ford Explorer Sales - Q4 2022 - Colombia
In Colombia, Ford Explorer deliveries totaled 262 units in Q4 2022.During the complete 2022 calendar year, Explorer sales totaled 694 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2022 / Q4 2021 | Q4 2022 | Q4 2021 | YTD 2022 / YTD 2021 | YTD 2022 | YTD 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORER | * | 262 | * | * | 694 | 0 |
Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)
Ford Explorer sales experienced a 14 percent decrease to 51,430 units during the fourth quarter of 2022, a severe enough drop to dethrone The Blue Oval’s crossover as the best-selling vehicle in its segment.
The Toyota Highlander saw sales increase 3 percent to 58,354 units, surpassing the Explorer by 6,924 sales. In third place, the Kia Telluride saw 27,595 sales, up 20 percent, while the Chevrolet Traverse (see running Chevy Traverse sales) held down fourth place with 27,271 sales, up 24 percent. The Honda Pilot claimed fifth place, down 10 percent to 25,615 sales, while sixth belonged to the Nissan Pathfinder, up 63 percent to 20,280 sales. The Hyundai Palisade placed seventh thanks to a 13 percent slide to 19,932 sales, followed by the Subaru Ascent in eighth, up 4 percent to 17,682. The rest of the segment moved less than 16,000 units each.
Sales Numbers - Mainstream Large Three-Row Crossovers - Q4 2022 - USA
| MODEL | Q4 22 / Q4 21 | Q4 22 | Q4 21 | Q4 22 SHARE | Q4 21 SHARE | YTD 22 / YTD 21 | YTD 22 | YTD 21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | +3.16% | 58,354 | 56,564 | 21% | 20% | -15.65% | 222,805 | 264,128 |
| FORD EXPLORER | -13.85% | 51,430 | 59,697 | 18% | 21% | -5.55% | 207,673 | 219,871 |
| KIA TELLURIDE | +20.08% | 27,595 | 22,981 | 10% | 8% | +6.60% | 99,891 | 93,705 |
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | +23.67% | 27,271 | 22,052 | 10% | 8% | -16.59% | 96,965 | 116,250 |
| HONDA PILOT | -9.79% | 25,615 | 28,395 | 9% | 10% | -30.40% | 99,567 | 143,062 |
| NISSAN PATHFINDER | +63.04% | 20,280 | 12,439 | 7% | 4% | +40.02% | 57,862 | 41,324 |
| HYUNDAI PALISADE | -13.42% | 18,932 | 21,866 | 7% | 8% | -4.45% | 82,688 | 86,539 |
| SUBARU ASCENT | +4.40% | 17,682 | 16,937 | 6% | 6% | +6.21% | 63,704 | 59,980 |
| DODGE DURANGO | +22.19% | 15,890 | 13,004 | 6% | 5% | -15.93% | 55,433 | 65,935 |
| MAZDA CX-9 | +95.14% | 11,111 | 5,694 | 4% | 2% | +0.25% | 34,580 | 34,493 |
| VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS | -76.54% | 5,366 | 22,872 | 2% | 8% | -29.10% | 82,025 | 115,687 |
| TOTAL | -1.05% | 279,526 | 282,501 | -11.10% | 1,103,193 | 1,240,974 |
From a segment share standpoint, the Highlander accounted for 21 percent, up one percentage point, while the Explorer lost three percentage points to claim 18 percent segment share. The Telluride and Traverse each snagged 10 percent segment share, both picking up two percentage points, while the Pilot claimed nine percent, down one percentage point. The Pathfinder and Palisade each earned seven percent share, the former rising three percentage points and the latter slipping by one. The rest of the contenders in the segment each accounted for six percent share or less.
The large three-row crossover segment contracted one percent to 279,526 units in Q4 2022, meaning Ford Explorer sales significantly outperformed the segment average.
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:
- Midsize crossovers that offer three rows of seating, such as the GMC Acadia (see running GMC Acadia sales), Kia Sorento, and Mitsubishi Outlander
- Midsize crossovers with two rows of seating sold at a similar price point to the Explorer, including the Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, Chevrolet Blazer (see running Chevy Blazer sales), and Hyundai Santa Fe
- Nameplates that represent both two-row and three-row models, such as the new Jeep Grand Cherokee family
Sales Numbers - Overlapping Crossover Sales - Q4 2022 - USA
| MODEL | Q4 22 / Q4 21 | Q4 22 | Q4 21 | YTD 22 / YTD 21 | YTD 22 | YTD 21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | -32.10% | 50,800 | 74,816 | -15.54% | 223,345 | 264,444 |
| HYUNDAI SANTA FE | +49.28% | 33,460 | 22,415 | +6.71% | 119,589 | 112,071 |
| KIA SORENTO | +11.65% | 21,806 | 19,530 | +5.65% | 86,406 | 81,785 |
| FORD EDGE | -41.06% | 17,842 | 30,274 | +0.28% | 85,465 | 85,225 |
| CHEVROLET BLAZER | -16.79% | 16,631 | 19,986 | -4.38% | 67,246 | 70,325 |
| GMC ACADIA | +229.29% | 13,942 | 4,234 | -11.52% | 53,014 | 59,913 |
| MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER | -17.02% | 10,461 | 12,606 | +20.83% | 40,942 | 33,883 |
| NISSAN MURANO | +12.69% | 7,697 | 6,830 | -34.79% | 30,074 | 46,117 |
From here, we can see that the Jeep Grand Cherokee is well behind the Explorer in terms of sales volume for Q4 2022. As a reminder, the Grand Cherokee nameplate encompasses two vehicles. The first is the Grand Cherokee two-row, while the second is the larger Grand Cherokee L with three rows of seating. The former is more of a Ford Edge rival, while the latter is a Ford Explorer competitor. As such, it’s more appropriate to pit Grand Cherokee sales against the Edge and Explorer combined.
Sales Numbers - Ford Edge & Explorer - Q4 2022 - USA
| MODEL | Q4 22 / Q4 21 | Q4 22 | Q4 21 | YTD 22 / YTD 21 | YTD 22 | YTD 21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD EDGE | -41.06% | 17,842 | 30,274 | +0.28% | 85,465 | 85,225 |
| FORD EXPLORER | -13.85% | 51,430 | 59,697 | -5.55% | 207,673 | 219,871 |
| TOTAL | -23.01% | 69,272 | 89,971 | -3.92% | 293,138 | 305,096 |
Doing so gives The Blue Oval 69,727 combined deliveries, putting it even further ahead of the Grand Cherokee family.
The Ford Authority Take
The decline in Ford Explorer sales during Q4 2022 is not entirely unexpected as the automaker continues to navigate ongoing supplier issues that include, but are certainly not limited to, the global microchip shortage. This scenario resulted in reduced production and therefore reduced supply of the crossover at the dealer level.
In an attempt to remedy this situation, The Blue Oval has elected to withhold certain features from the Explorer, such as the hands-free liftgate, and Ford is also implementing some changes into the lineup to delete certain features if chip supply once again proves inadequate in 2023.
2024 Ford Explorer Timberline
However, there are changes on the horizon that could boost Ford Explorer sales in the future. As previously reported by Ford Authority, a refresh is on the way for the crossover’s 2024 model year, which will most likely significantly update the lineup with new tech and options, although Ford has yet to officially reveal the model.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Ford Explorer sales for Q4 2021, unless otherwise noted
- In the United States, there were 78 selling days for Q4 2022 and 78 selling days for Q4 2021
- For Explorer sales figures are comprised of the Ford Explorer and its police-duty variant, the Ford Police Interceptor Utility. In the past, Police Interceptor Utility sales were reported as a separate line item, but Ford is now folding its sales into the Explorer line item.
- Ford Motor Company Q4 2022 sales reports:
- Ford Motor Company sales Q4 2022 U.S.A
- Ford sales Q4 2022 U.S.A. (Ford brand)
- Lincoln sales Q4 2022 U.S.A.
- Ford Motor Company sales October 2022Â U.S.A.
- Ford sales October 2022 U.S.A. (Ford brand)
- Lincoln sales October 2022 U.S.A.
- Ford Motor Company sales November 2022Â U.S.A.
- Ford sales November 2022 U.S.A. (Ford brand)
- Lincoln sales November 2022 U.S.A.
- Ford Motor Company sales December 2022Â U.S.A.
- Ford sales December 2022 U.S.A. (Ford brand)
- Lincoln sales December 2022 U.S.A.
- Ford Europe sales Q4 2022
- Ford China sales Q4 2022
- Ford Motor Company Canada sales Q4 2022
- Ford Canada sales Q4 2022
- Lincoln Canada sales Q4 2022
- Ford Motor Company Argentina sales Q4 2022
- Ford Argentina sales October 2022Â (Ford brand)
- Ford Argentina sales November 2022Â (Ford brand)
- Ford Argentina sales December 2022Â (Ford brand)
- Ford Motor Company Brazil sales Q4 2022
- Ford Brazil sales October 2022Â (Ford brand)
- Ford Brazil sales November 2022Â (Ford brand)
- Ford Brazil sales December 2022Â (Ford brand)
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales Q4 2022
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales October 2022
- Ford Korea sales October 2022
- Lincoln Korea sales October 2022
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales November 2022
- Ford Korea sales November 2022
- Lincoln Korea sales November 2022
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales December 2022
- Ford Korea sales December 2022
- Lincoln Korea sales December 2022
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales October 2022
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales Q4 2022
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales October 2022
- Ford Mexico sales October 2022
- Lincoln Mexico sales October 2022
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales November 2022
- Ford Mexico sales November 2022
- Lincoln Mexico sales November 2022
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales December 2022
- Ford Mexico sales December 2022
- Lincoln Mexico sales December 2022
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales October 2022
- Ford Russia sales Q4 2022
- Ford Russia sales October 2022
- Ford Russia sales November 2022
- Ford Russia sales December 2022
- Ford Motor Company sales Q4 2022 U.S.A
Comments
1) Improve your Quality 2) add a proper Hybrid (there is no reason to buy the current hybrid) 3) add the PHEV that Europe has! In reality this all should have been done when the latest Explorer was launched!
I agree 100% . This simply shows you do not have to be the biggest, newest, most powerful, and even tech savvy to gain sales. Consumers have accepted at least right now the pricing of vehicles so they are becoming more picky concerning their purchases. The Highlander is smaller and beaten in overall power, but its quality is the game changer just like the Tacoma. The Telluride and Cherokee have nicer interiors vs the Explorer.