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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, January 04, 2002

Ford Sales Drop in 2001

Capping off a troubled year that included the Firestone tire controversy, the departure of CEO Jacques Nasser and declining earnings, Ford Motor reported Thursday its sales dropped 6% in 2001 from a year earlier.


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Capping off a troubled year that included the Firestone tire controversy, the departure of CEO Jacques Nasser and declining earnings, Ford Motor reported Thursday its sales dropped 6% in 2001 from a year earlier.

Sales during December for the nation's second biggest automaker were only three-tenths of a percent better than in December 2000, hurt by a 25% drop in passenger car sales.

But its F-series pickup trucks remained the best-selling vehicle in the United States for the 20th straight year, Ford said.

General Motors also saw sales fall in 2001, but just by about 1%.

In December, GM sales rose 7%, boosted by interest-free loans and strong truck demand.

The world's largest automaker limited its interest-free loan offers in December, but added extra rebates at the end of the month to boost sales. GM said earlier on Thursday it was replacing its zero-percent financing offers with a $2,002 rebate on most of its models.

Results do not include U.S. automakers' foreign brands.

BMW of North America reported an 11% decline in vehicle sales last month compared with December 2000. For the year, the German automaker posted a 12.5% increase, making 2001 its best sales year to date in the United States.

Strong sales of its new A4 model powered Audi of America to its best- U.S. sales during 2001. For the year, sales of Audi vehicles were up 3.6% over 2000, despite a 3% decline during December.

Volkswagen of America reported a half-percent increase in sales over 2000, and a 9.3% increase in December compared with a year earlier.

Volvo Cars of North America recorded its best year in the United States, selling 125,710 vehicles, 2,532 vehicles or 2% more than it sold during 2000.

Reflecting the resurgence of South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor America, the company reported record December sales, up 39% from a year earlier. For the year, Hyundai's sales rose 42% over 2000.




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