Boston, MA 01/13/2013 (wallstreetpr) – Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) had one of its best years with the close of 2013. And expectations are that 2014 will be very competitive given that all the three main American players had a good year and also that the strong dollar may ensure that Japanese car-makers will be equally competitive in the small car race.
Mulally finally makes up his mind
One more piece of good news for Ford is that its CEO, Alan Mulally, will be steering the company at least till the year end. Ending months of speculation Mulally has indicated that he is not in the contention for the CEO’s post at Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT). Mulally has been widely regarded as the principal actor behind Ford Motor Co (NYSE:F)’s rise from the ashes – the financial crises that gripped American car-makers in 2008. Refusing Federal aid in 2008 enabled Ford to concentrate on their pick ups and today the F series are the fastest selling models in America.
There was a time when more was being written about Mulally’s potential stint as Microsoft CEO than about the company. His rebuttal will now allow the company and its employees to focus on the job on hand; what happens at Microsoft is another story altogether.
The Strong Showing
Consider the following facts:
- Ford was the best selling brand for the fourth consecutive year in 2013 in North America.
- Retail sales were up 14%.. Cars were up by 12%, utilities by 13% and trucks by 17%.
- December 2013 was one of the best months since 2005, sales were up by 2%, retail sales by 3%. Ford Fusion managed to have a record December, its sales were up by 27%. Fusion as well as Fiesta recorded annual record sales in 2013. Even Ford Escape had a new annual sales record in 2013.
- F-series recorded more than 70,000 sales, the eight consecutive months of sales above 60,000.
- F-Series is now best-selling vehicle for 32 years and best-selling truck for 37 years.
Though the last quarter results are yet to be declared, analysts are expecting a block-buster year from Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F).
