MANAGING PUBLIC SECTOR VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT
Sales of vehicles to commercial fleets surged in September even as several automakers reported sharply lower overall sales during the month.
Commercial fleet sales rebounded in July with a 29.8% increase to 66,909 from a year ago. Sales of trucks, vans, and SUVs paced the gain, while sales of cars again saw a heavy decline, according to Automotive Fleet data.
Commercial fleet sales continued their torrid spring, increasing 12.3% in May after increasing 11.2% in April. Year-to-date sales are now 7.8% ahead of the first five months of 2018, according to Automotive Fleet data.
March sales to commercial fleets increased 11.1%, while sales to government agencies increased 7.3%. Sales into daily rental increased 5.3%.
Mark Buzzell is no stranger to fleet. As the prior president and CEO of Ford of Canada, one of his key responsibilities was managing its Canadian fleet business. Buzzell understands fleet and recognizes its importance to Ford.
In January, sales to commercial fleets fell 1.9%, while sales to daily rental increased 16.1%. Sales to government agencies increased 5.7%.
Sales of vehicles to commercial fleets from eight manufactures increased 8.8% to 743,210 in 2018, even with a weaker December, on the strength of sales of trucks, SUVs, and vans that accounted for nearly nine units out of every 10 sold.
Ford's president and chief executive of its Canadian market, Mark Buzzell, will return to the U.S. as the director of North American Fleet, Lease and Remarketing Operations starting Jan. 1, Ford has announced.
In November, sales of vehicles to commercial fleets increased 18.2% to 60,967, while sales into daily rental increased 6.4% to 122,433. Sales to government agencies increased 4.6% to 20,386.
Commercial sales increased 10.3% in October, while sales to government agencies increased 1%. Sales into daily rental increased 0.2%.