Thursday, December 15, 2011

Ford F-Series Trucks Pick Up Speed in Sales





Ford’s F-Series trucks are gaining in popularity with businesses and consumers alike, increasing commercial market share this year and earning a sizeable boost in November retail sales. U.S. sales of the pickup at Ford dealers were up 23.9 percent last month compared to November 2010. Meanwhile, the F-Series Super Duty has a market share of 47.1 percent in the heavy-duty commercial segment this year, up almost two percent since 2008. 

With a diverse lineup ranging from the F-150 to the Ford Super Duty, 516,639 units of the F-Series have found new homes this year through November, a year-over-year increase of 9.1 percent. Businesses are increasingly relying on capable Ford vehicles like the F-Series to best equip their employees, with six of the top 10 commercial vehicles in the United States coming from the automaker, according to Polk U.S. registration data.

“We’ve seen increased traffic at our dealership from business owners looking for reliable and durable vehicles that will help them get more work done with less overhead,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Massachusetts Ford dealer Stoneham Ford. “One way we’ve been able to increase commercial Ford sales is to package specific equipment with the trucks, like our popular Boss snowplow packages. Also, the current tax savings available for commercial trucks has meant that many business owners are stopping by before the end of the year.”

The tax deductions for commercial trucks are thanks to the Economic Stimulus Act and allow small business owners the opportunity to write off up to 100% of the cost of vehicles used for their work. If a purchased commercial vehicle, whether a Ford Super Duty truck, E-Series van or F-150 pickup, weighs over 6,000 pounds and is put into use before December 31, 2011, the business owners can take advantage of the tax deductions. Indications are that these deductions will be significantly reduced in 2012.  

The Ford F-Series Super Duty remains a popular commercial vehicle in part because of its lasting value, which was recently recognized with a Best Full-Size Pickup win in the Kelley Blue Book 2012 Best Resale Value Awards. The awards are based on resale value after five years of use, an area in which the Super Duty has a projected retained value of 38.7 percent. Kelley Blue Book predicts that the 2012 Super Duty will still have 55.1 percent of its worth after three years of use, appealing to business owners that want a strong return on their investment when it is time to upgrade down the road.

Ford will be growing its commercial lineup for 2012 with a medium-duty F-650 featuring a gasoline-powered V10, as well as two new Police Interceptors. The automaker also plans to replace its popular Econoline van with a fuel-efficient, full-size Ford Transit van in 2013.

“When it comes to commercial vehicles, Ford takes a long hard look at what business owners and fleet operators need and gives it to them,” Melkonian noted. “That means longer times between services, better efficiency and features that increase productivity rather than just the price of the van or truck.”

About Stoneham Ford:
Located on Route 28, just 15 minutes north of Boston, Stoneham Ford is a premier new and used Ford dealer in Massachusetts. They offer a wide selection of Ford cars, trucks and SUVS, including the latest Ford hybrid models, and their helpful sales and service staff serve their customers with integrity and respect. For more information and to view the current Ford inventory, visit Stoneham Ford online at www.stonehamford.com, or in person at 211 Main St. in Stoneham, Mass. They can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MyStonehamFord, and you can reach them by phone at 781-438-0490.

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