January sales numbers are in — and, to quote an Autopia reader: "Sux to be Ford!" Sales of Ford cars and light trucks in the U.S. were down 19 percent. High-margin truck and SUV sales dropped 10 percent, and a mushy housing market contributed to a 15 percent slide for F-Series pickups. A 33 percent drop in passenger car sales was attributed in part to a plan to trim less-profitable rental car sales and focus on dealerships instead. More to come, Ford dolefully predicts.
Meanwhile, Toyota's 9.5 percent uptick in U.S. sales was one more sign that the Japanese automaker will be taking over Ford's No. 2 spot in short order.
On a brighter note, DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group saw U.S. sales for January rise 0.5 percent, partly fueled by the popular Jeep Wrangler. Chrysler also announced plans to launch eight new vehicles in 2007.
