Ford’s Hottest Vehicles Speak to Some Shocking Realities for New Car Buyers

With the frenzy of Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday finally in the rearview mirror, automakers are now taking stock of how their sales shook out for November. 

After all, the season of spending is a time that can yield some impactful insights, as the data gathered once the dust settles often speaks to trends — not just for the month, but also the year and what’s to come for buyers.

Ford

Ford’s latest sales report is no exception. In addition to highlighting an alarming trend in the American car market, it also foreshadows what will likely be an increasing reality given the shift away from electrification.

A focus on trim value

In case you missed it, new cars are more expensive than ever. After rising consistently for over a year without a downward tick, prices reached a record high in September — the average American new car buyer paid some $50,080.

Ford

It’s the first time that the figure has ever topped the $50,000 mark, and it’s a change that’s reflected in what models buyers were most drawn to Ford’s lineup throughout November.

That’s because, despite a broader market decline of nearly seven percent over the course of the month, combined sales of the Blue Oval’s cheaper, more accessible — the Maverick XL, the Ranger XL, and the Bronco Sport Big Bend — climbed some 26.4 percent. 

The trend isn’t limited to November, either, as the collective sales for each of these models is also up 12.7 percent on the year. Moreover, you break it down by vehicle trims, the numbers are especially telling.

Ford

For instance, sales of the base Maverick XL absolutely skyrocketed, improving by 76.2 percent for the month compared to last year. It’s a unique value proposition, as it’s the only trim in the range that starts at under $30,000, and it’s also currently the cheapest new pickup in America at $28,145.

Moreover, the attraction of entry-level value extended to the Ranger truck and the Explorer SUV, as well. The former posted a 48 percent increase in base XL trim sales, while the latter had its best November since 2018, up 41.5 percent thanks to Active and ST-line trims.

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Running out of battery

Between a record 16,301 hybrid sales and an improvement of 13.6 percent in November, Ford continued to demonstrate growth potential with its mixed-energy offerings. Of course, the Blue Oval has repeatedly proven that such vehicles can win over buyers, as its hybrids are up 19.4 percent on the year.

However, like the rest of the industry, the automaker’s EV sales tanked for the month. While that in itself isn’t surprising, given the ending of the federal incentives, it’s the performance of another model that makes the extent of the fallout so apparent: the Mustang.

Ford

Sales for the gas-powered pony alone nearly matched that for all of Ford’s electric vehicles, combined. Compared to a total of 4,247 EVs, Ford managed to sell 4,207 Mustangs. The model galloped to a 78.6 percent improvement, a mammoth increase considering just 2,355 buyers stepped up in November 2024.

Although that can be chalked up to a myriad of factors — price incentives, regained inventory and even just the model’s unique V8 appeal — there’s no denying that it illustrates a seismic shift. 

Ford

After all, even if Ford isn’t converting would-be EV buyers into muscle car enthusiasts, the fact that the Mustang managed such a performance (after being repeatedly trounced by the Mach-E, no less) is a notable feat.

Between the clear demand for affordable vehicles and the monumental shift away from EVs, Ford’s November sales are nothing if not revealing.

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