Breaking: The Ford F-Series Is Ridiculously Popular

I was inside MacPhee Ford's newish showroom in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, last night because, well, sometimes it snows on the day I need to tow my nonexistent boat to my brother-in-law's in order to help him move apartments while transporting my baby boy, my wife, my mother, and my dog to the beach. That's what I'm telling myself anyhow, because I'd feel old and paternal if I said it had a lot to do with the size of the upcoming, rear-facing convertible child seat. 

This glassed-in Ford palace - which costs more than a decent annual government salary to run every month - is a testament to the F-Series' strength. Sure, there's a small group of Fusions in one corner of the lot. (The Fusion is Canada's top-selling midsize car.) MacPhee has decided to make a conscious effort to succeed with the C-Max even as it becomes a very rare car Canada-wide, so there are a few to be seen on the lot. Summer will inevitably bring out the Mustangs; 17-year-old Fast & Furious fans will spend some time ogling a lone Fiesta ST, too. But it's the F-Series, the F-150 in particular, that does the heavy lifting. 

• All 248 Vehicle Ranked By January 2014 U.S. Sales
• All 238 Vehicles Ranked By January 2014 Canadian Sales

You've heard the numbers: the F-Series generates 90% of Ford Motor Company's global profits, Morgan Stanley says. Everything is working to the F-Series' advantage. The current-generation truck is inexpensive to build, easily reconfigurable to appeal to completely different sets of buyers, and it's perfectly marketed. 

As a result, you don't drive to the grocery store anywhere in North America without seeing at least a few. You've long since stopped noticing this omnipresence. One of the F-150's was likely a basic rear-wheel-drive, white XL work truck with the phone company's stickers. Another was filled with kids on the way to hockey practice. The third one, a black King Ranch, did make you take notice. The fourth, fifth, and sixth were identical blue or red XLTs, the affordable family rigs, but there was only one commuting occupant aboard.

How Popular Is  The F-Series In America?	2013  U.S. Sales	2012 U.S. Sales	% Change
Ford F-Series	763,402	645,316	18.3%
Toyota Camry & Corolla/Matrix	710,664	695,833	2.1%
Hyundai Brand	720,783	703,007	2.5%
Cadillac/Acura/Audi/Infiniti/Lincoln	704,189	647,335	8.8%
All GM Pickup Trucks	687,642	647,001	6.3%
Ford Utility Vehicles	681,802	619,470	10.1%
Mercedes-Benz & BMW	643,624	576,473	11.6%
Minivans	532,357	554,827	-4.0%
Subcompacts *	506,799	487,679	3.9%
All Import Brand Trucks ^	368,916	336,031	9.8%

* Aveo, Sonic, Fiesta, Fit, Accent, Rio, 2, Mirage, Versa, Prius C, Yaris.
^ Tacoma, Tundra, Frontier, Ridgeline, Titan, Equator

Yes indeed, they're everywhere. And GCBC can't avoid pointing out this fact multiple times each month, as the F-Series leads the way in truck rankings, again when we list the 30 best-selling vehicles, and again when we rank all 20+ dozen vehicle nameplates. This goes for the U.S. standings and the Canadian results, too. But it could be argued that straight lists mask the F-Series' dominance. It's assumed that the F-Series will be in the top spot each month, so eyes drift directly to the second slot. The pie chart we use in our lists of the 30 best-selling vehicles allows the eye to align more closely with reality. The tables visible in this post, however, are quite a bit different. 

Ford's 2015 F-150 Will Make Heavy (Light?) Use Of Aluminum, Therefore Shedding Up To 700 Pounds

How popular is the Ford F-Series? In America, the F-Series outsold the Hyundai, Kia, Jeep, GMC, Subaru, and Volkswagen brands. In Canada, the F-Series outsold the two most popular cars in the country combined, Honda's Civic and Hyundai's Elantra.

Trucks struggled in January 2014 to match January 2013's pace both in the United States and Canada, falling 4.5% in both countries. (Slight F-Series declines were part of the problem on both sides of the border.) But like the F-Series, the full-size truck category as a whole is a booming corner of the North American automobile marketplace. Popularity is not an F-Series exclusive. Extreme popularity, on the other hand, is something no other vehicle line can claim.

Keep in mind, it's not 2004. Trucks are a growing force, but fuel prices have risen and competition for your $35,000 is rampant. Ford sold 939,511 F-Series pickups in the U.S. that year. F-Series sales totalled 763,402 units in America in 2013, equal to 4.9% of the market's sales, down from 5.6% in 2004.

How Popular Is The F-Series In Canada?	2013  Canadian Sales	2012 Canadian Sales	% Change
Ford F-Series	122,325	106,358	15.0%
Honda Civic & Hyundai Elantra	118,823	115,912	2.5%
Acura, Lexus, Buick, Cadillac, Infiniti, Fiat, Mini, Lincoln, Land Rover, Scion, Volvo, Porsche, Suzuki, Jaguar, Maserati, Bentley	110,518	105,901	4.4%
Subcompacts *	90,680	93,042	-2.5%
Minivans	90,646	97,547	-7.1%
All GM Trucks	87,298	85,264	2.4%
Nissan Brand	82,604	74,201	11.3%
Ford Utility Vehicles	77,127	78,503	-1.8%
Mercedes-Benz & BMW	66,490	64,514	3.1%
All Import Brand Trucks ^	26,431	25,843	2.3%

* Aveo, Sonic, Fiesta, Fit, Accent, Rio, 2, Mirage, Versa, Prius C, Yaris
^ Tacoma, Tundra, Titan, Frontier, Ridgeline

RECOMMENDED READING
Historical Monthly & Yearly Ford F-Series Sales Figures
Complete 2013 U.S. Pickup Truck Sales Figures
Complete 2013 Canadian Pickup Truck Sales Figures
2013 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman Crew Cab V6 4x4 Driven Review
2014 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 5.3L SLT Crew Cab Driven Review

Small And Midsize Luxury SUV Sales In Canada - January 2014

With a huge uptick in BMW X5 volume, the January 2014 growth among larger, so-called "midsize" luxury SUVs and crossovers was far more significant than the growth experienced by their smaller brethren - RDX, Q5, X1, X3, QX50, LR2, Evoque, GLK, and XC60 - sales of which grew 4.3% last month.

The X5 was certainly not the only higher-priced luxury utility vehicle to produce a big increase, although its 128% jump was certainly the biggest from a purely volume perspective. (Lexus GX460 sales were up 131%.) Acura MDX sales rose 38%, the Infiniti QX60 was up 85%, Land Rover LR4 sales nearly doubled, Range Rover Sport sales did double. Two Lincolns and one Porsche all generated significant increases, as well.

• All 238 Vehicles Ranked By January 2014 Canadian Sales
• All 84 SUVs Ranked By January 2014 Canadian Sales

Ranked 20th among all utility vehicles regardless of brand status, the X5 was the top-selling premium brand utility vehicle in Canada in January 2014. The big BMW was followed closely by the 20th-ranked Audi Q5 and 21st-ranked Lexus RX. And by closely, we do mean closely: only four sales separated the trio.

In part because BMW's car sales fell 27%, utility vehicles - BMW's four X models - accounted for 57% of BMW brand sales in Canada in January 2014, BMW Canada's best January ever. 

Click Chart To Expand

How popular was the X5? Land Rover sales rose 38% to 468 units; Land Rover sales more than tripled compared with January 2011's total. Yet BMW sold 441 X5s, not to mention the 510 other X-branded BMWs. 

It's not as though the X5 is value-priced. The basic MSRP is $62,990 and pricing for the X5 M is just a hair under $100K. But it's currently selling a lot better than the family-sized SUVs produced by many volume manufacturers. In January 2014, the X5 outsold the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Dodge Durango, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, and Buick Enclave.

You can click any model name in the tables below to find historical monthly and yearly Canadian auto sales data. You can also select a make and model at GCBC's Sales Stats page. These tables are now sortable, so you can rank small and midsize luxury SUVs and crossovers any which way you like. Suggestions on how GCBC should break down segments can be passed on through the Contact page.

Click Column Headers To Sort • January 2015 • February 2014 • December 2013 • January 2013

Small Luxury SUV	January 2014	January 2013	% Change	2014 YTD	2013 YTD	% Change
Acura RDX	322	370	-13.0%	322	370	-13.0%
Audi Q5	438	435	0.7%	438	435	0.7%
BMW X1	250	89	181%	250	89	181%
BMW X3	221	281	-21.4%	221	281	-21.4%
Infiniti QX50 / EX	113	124	-8.9%	113	124	-8.9%
Land Rover LR2	33	34	-2.9%	33	34	-2.9%
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque	90	90	0.0%	90	90	0.0%
Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class	287	256	12.1%	287	256	12.1%
Volvo XC60	82	82	0.0%	82	82	0.0%
---	---	---	---	---	---	---
Total	1836	1761	4.3%	1836	1761	4.3%

Midsize Luxury SUV	January 2014	January 2013	% Change	2014 YTD	2013 YTD	% Change
Acura MDX	355	257	38.1%	355	257	38.1%
Acura ZDX	1	3	-66.7%	1	3	-66.7%
Audi Q7	118	103	14.6%	118	103	14.6%
BMW X5	441	193	128%	441	193	128%
BMW X6	39	40	-2.5%	39	40	-2.5%
Cadillac SRX	216	175	23.4%	216	175	23.4%
Infiniti FX/QX70	31	49	-36.7%	31	49	-36.7%
Infiniti JX/QX60	296	160	85.0%	296	160	85.0%
Land Rover LR4	43	23	87.0%	43	23	87.0%
Land Rover Range Rover Sport	215	108	99.1%	215	108	99.1%
Lexus GX460	60	26	131%	60	26	131%
Lexus RX	437	414	5.6%	437	414	5.6%
Lincoln MKT	36	21	71.4%	36	21	71.4%
Lincoln MKX	262	174	50.6%	262	174	50.6%
Mercedes-Benz M-Class	283	283	0.0%	283	283	0.0%
Porsche Cayenne	129	88	46.6%	129	88	46.6%
Volkswagen Touareg *	137	135	1.5%	137	135	1.5%
Volvo XC70 *	33	52	-36.5%	33	52	-36.5%
Volvo XC90	32	27	18.5%	32	27	18.5%
---	---	---	---	---	---	---
Total	3164	2331	35.7%	3164	2331	35.7%

Source: Automakers & ANDC
* indicates a vehicle which is also shown in another GCBC segment breakdown
GCBC isn't here to break down segments, an impossible task for any group, but to display sales data for the sake of comparison. The more ways sales data can be displayed, the better, right? This explains you'll see the XC70 listed with luxury cars as well as with SUVs and crossovers and the Touareg with luxury SUVs and mainstream SUVs... because readers have wanted it both ways. You can always find the sales results for EVERY vehicle and form your own competitive sets by using the All Vehicle Rankings posts.

RECOMMENDED READING
Small & Midsize Luxury SUV Sales In Canada - January 2015
Small & Midsize Luxury SUV Sales In Canada - February 2014 YTD
Small & Midsize Luxury SUV Sales In Canada - December 2013 & Year End
Small & Midsize Luxury SUV Sales In Canada - January 2013
Top 20 Best-Selling SUVs In Canada - January 2014
Canada Auto Sales Brand Rankings - January 2014
Large Luxury SUV Sales In Canada - January 2014

Small And Midsize Luxury Car Sales In Canada - January 2014

For the second consecutive month, Canadians registered more new Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedans and coupes than new BMW 3-Series' sedans and wagons. 3-Series sales plunged 45% year-over-year. Include the 4er in the 3er's tally - which it was last year when the 4-Series was still just a two-door 3-Series - and sales still slid 28%. 

January is not a key month for auto sales in Canada. In 2012, January sales accounted for just 5.8% of the calendar year's total. In 2013, that figure fell to just 5.5%. Assuming the C-Class will outsell the 3-Series this year because of a healthy lead in January would be foolhardy.

And there are other challengers for luxury leadership, although none have as great a chance at stealing the crown from the BMW as the C-Class does. In this segment, however, there more Canadians who buy or lease something other than a 3-Series/C-Class than there are Canadians who choose the class leaders. 

• All 248 Vehicle Ranked By January 2014 U.S. Sales
• All 143 Cars Ranked By January 2014 U.S. Sales

Even excluding the entry-level Mercedes-Benz CLA, the Acura TSX, Audi A4/A5, Cadillac ATS, Infiniti Q50/Q60, Lexus IS, and Volvo S60/V60 easily outsold the C and 3. None of the challengers sold better than the Audi A4 in January 2014. Infiniti has averaged just 212 monthly Q50 sales over the last three winter months after averaging 285 Q50 sales between August and October.

Click Chart To Expand

Among pricier and usually larger luxury cars, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (with the CLS) and BMW's 5-Series are the dominant players. Total sales at both BMW and Mercedes-Benz rose to the highest level yet for any January in their Canadian history. 

You can click any model name in the tables below to find historical monthly and yearly Canadian auto sales data. You can also select a make and model at GCBC's Sales Stats page. These tables are now sortable, so you can rank small and midsize luxury cars any which way you like. Suggestions on how GCBC should break down segments can be passed on through the Contact page.

Click Column Headers To Sort • January 2015 • February 2014 • December 2013 • January 2013

Small/Entry  Luxury Car	January 2014	January 2013	% Change	2014 YTD	2013 YTD	% Change
Acura ILX *	107	190	-43.7%	107	190	-43.7%
Acura TSX	36	78	-53.8%	36	78	-53.8%
Audi A3	---	45	-100%	---	45	-100%
Audi A4 ^	301	332	-9.3%	301	332	-9.3%
Audi A5 *	108	77	40.3%	108	77	40.3%
BMW 1-Series *	1	94	-98.9%	1	94	-98.9%
BMW 3-Series	374	676	-44.7%	374	676	-44.7%
BMW 4-Series *	111	---	---	111	---	---
Cadillac ATS	133	106	25.5%	133	106	25.5%
Infiniti G/Q60 ^*	18	23	-21.7%	18	23	-21.7%
Infiniti Q50 ^	220	112	96.4%	220	112	96.4%
Lexus CT200h	30	79	-62.0%	30	79	-62.0%
Lexus IS	177	52	240%	177	52	240%
Mercedes-Benz B-Class *	191	201	-5.0%	191	201	-5.0%
Mercedes-Benz C-Class	556	393	41.5%	556	393	41.5%
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class	221	---	---	221	---	---
Volvo C30	---	8	-100%	---	8	-100%
Volvo S60	133	108	23.1%	133	108	23.1%
Volvo V60	37	---	---	37	---	---
---	---	---	---	---	---	---
Total	2754	2574	7.0%	2754	2574	7.0%

Midsize Luxury Car	January 2014	January 2013	% Change	2014 YTD	2013 YTD	% Change
Acura RLX/RL ^	12	---	---	12	---	---
Acura TL	79	111	-28.8%	79	111	-28.8%
Audi A6	58	48	20.8%	58	48	20.8%
Audi A7	70	38	84.2%	70	38	84.2%
BMW 5-Series	187	191	-2.1%	187	191	-2.1%
Cadillac CTS	47	57	-17.5%	47	57	-17.5%
Cadillac XTS	33	60	-45.0%	33	60	-45.0%
Hyundai Equus	4	4	0.0%	4	4	0.0%
Infiniti Q70/M	12	26	-53.8%	12	26	-53.8%
Jaguar XF	35	10	250%	35	10	250%
Lexus ES	142	170	-16.5%	142	170	-16.5%
Lexus GS	31	46	-32.6%	31	46	-32.6%
Lincoln MKS	63	24	163%	63	24	163%
Lincoln MKZ	80	29	176%	80	29	176%
Mercedes-Benz E-Class & CLS-Class ^	198	117	69.2%	198	117	69.2%
Mercedes-Benz R-Class	---	31	-100%	---	31	-100%
Volvo S80	6	3	100%	6	3	100%
Volvo XC70 *	33	52	-36.5%	33	52	-36.5%
---	---	---	---	---	---	---
Total	1010	1017	-0.7%	1010	1017	-0.7%

Source: Automakers & ANDC
GCBC isn't here to break down segments, an impossible task for any group, but to display sales data for the sake of comparison. The more ways sales data can be displayed, the better, right? This explains why you'll see the XC70 listed with luxury SUVs and the Acura ILX with mainstream cars... because readers have wanted it both ways. You can always find the sales results for EVERY vehicle and form your own competitive sets by using the All Vehicle Rankings posts.
^ Acura combines sales figures of the outgoing RL with the new RLX. Mercedes-Benz's Canadian sales figures combine the E-Class with the CLS-Class. Audi Canada's A4 sales figures include sales of the Allroad.
^ Total Infiniti G/Q50/Q60 sales: up 76.3% to 238.

RECOMMENDED READING
Small & Midsize Luxury Car Sales In Canada - January 2015
Small & Midsize Luxury Car Sales In Canada - February 2014 YTD
Small & Midsize Luxury Car Sales In Canada - December 2013 & Year End
Small & Midsize Luxury Car Sales In Canada - January 2013
Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In Canada - January 2014
Canada Auto Sales Brand Rankings - January 2014
Large Luxury Car Sales In Canada - January 2014