Ford reported a 10.3% decrease in US new vehicle sales in the second quarter of 2026, driven by a sharp 40.7% drop in electric vehicle sales and an 11% decline in F-Series truck sales due to aluminium supply issues caused by factory fires.
- US vehicle sales fell 10.3% in Q2, with EV sales down 40.7%
- F-Series truck sales declined 11% due to aluminium supply disruptions
- Ford's US retail market share edged up to 12.3% despite the sales drop
What happened
In the second quarter of 2026, Ford’s US new vehicle sales dropped 10.3%, totaling 549,200 units compared with 612,095 in the same period last year. The biggest setback came from pure electric vehicle sales, which plunged 40.7% year over year. This downturn highlights challenges in the EV segment amid shifting consumer preferences and market dynamics.
The company’s iconic F-Series trucks, including the F-150, also experienced an 11% decline in sales. This was mainly because Ford’s leading aluminium supplier suffered two factory fires late last year, which severely disrupted production. Despite this, the F-Series remained America’s best-selling truck. Ford reported that customer demand remains strong, attributing the sales drop primarily to a 'retiming of commercial production' following supply shortages.
Why it matters
The sales figures reflect broader trends reshaping the US automotive market. While overall vehicle sales are challenged, hybrid vehicles are gaining traction and driving growth, contrasting with falling pure EV sales for several major manufacturers, including Ford and General Motors. Ford’s ability to maintain and slightly grow its market share during such disruptions is a notable resilience indicator in a competitive market.
Supply chain constraints, particularly for critical materials like aluminium, continue to impact production schedules and sales volume. This case underscores how external shocks in suppliers' operations can ripple through automotive manufacturing and affect major product lines. Ford’s experience highlights the industry's ongoing vulnerability to supply chain reliability even as it manages transitions toward electrification and new mobility solutions.
What to watch next
Ford anticipates a recovery in vehicle supply and sales performance in the second half of 2026 as aluminium production normalizes. Monitoring how quickly Ford and its suppliers can resolve production bottlenecks will be essential to assess if the company can regain momentum for the F-Series trucks and EV models.
Additionally, the broader shift toward hybrid vehicles versus pure EVs will be important to watch, given the mixed performance seen in Q2. How Ford adapts its product mix to meet changing consumer preferences and navigates supply challenges will influence its competitive positioning in the increasingly complex US auto market.