Ford posts double-digit percentage sales drop in July

Ford reported a double-digit decline in U.S. sales for July, while still raising its 2026 operating income outlook to $10 billion–$11 billion. The automaker said U.S. sales fell more than 10% year over year, citing the cancellation of the Escape crossover and ongoing weakness in F-Series inventory tied to an aluminum shortage. Ford’s U.S. sales director said the drop is “by design,” noting the company intentionally “sunsetted” select models and pulled back on low-margin rental fleet volume to make room for new-product introductions by the end of the decade. Ford expects nearly all models to offer hybrid or multi-energy powertrains by year-end 2030, and plans five affordable launches, including an all-electric midsize truck starting around $30,000 based on its next-generation UEV platform. With limited F-Series production, inventory was just 45 days, contributing to a 96% slump in daily rental sales, though retail share held roughly flat. Ford sold 169,951 vehicles in July.