The automaker’s November sales reveal some clear trends among owners purchasing vehicles bearing the blue oval.
With the frenzy of Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday finally in the rearview mirror, automakers are now taking stock of how their November sales shook up.
After all, spending season is a time that can provide some impactful insights, as data gathered once the dust settles often speaks to trends—not just for the month, but the year and what’s ahead for shoppers.
The Ford Maverick had a remarkable November, with the XL trim getting a particularly impressive upgrade. – Credit: Ford
Ford’s latest sales report is no exception. In addition to highlighting an alarming trend in the American auto market, it also foreshadows what will likely be a growing reality given the shift away from electrification.
An emphasis on cutting value
In case you missed it, new cars are more expensive than ever. After rising steadily for more than a year without going down, prices hit a record high in September — the American new car buyer paid an average of about $50,080.
The affordable Maverick XL is the cheapest new truck you can buy in the United States. – Credit: Ford
It’s the first time the figure has crossed the $50,000 mark, and it’s a shift that’s reflected in which models buyers were most drawn to in Ford’s lineup during November.
That’s because despite a broader market decline of nearly seven percent for the month, combined sales of the Blue Oval’s cheapest and most affordable — the Maverick XL, Ranger XL and Bronco Sport Big Bend — climbed about 26.4 percent.
The trend isn’t limited to November either, as collective sales for each of these models are also up 12.7% year-over-year. What’s more, you break it down by vehicle trim, the numbers are particularly telling.
The Explorer also benefited from entry-level appeal, as both Active and ST-line trims boosted the model’s performance. – Credit: Ford
For example, sales of the base Maverick XL skyrocketed, improving 76.2 percent for the month compared to last year. It’s a unique value proposition because it’s the only variant in the lineup that starts under $30,000, and it’s also currently the cheapest new pickup in America at $28,145.
What’s more, the entry-level value appeal has extended to the Ranger truck and Explorer SUV. The former saw a 48 percent increase in sales of the base XL trim, while the latter had its best November since 2018, up 41.5 percent thanks to the Active and ST-line trims.
The Mustang Mach-E was among several electric vehicles in Ford’s lineup that fell in its November sales. – Credit: Ford
It ran out of battery
Between a record 16,301 hybrid sales and a 13.6 percent improvement in November, Ford continued to demonstrate growth potential with its hybrid power offerings. Of course, the Blue Oval has proven time and time again that such vehicles can win over buyers, as its hybrids are up 19.4% year-on-year.
However, like the rest of the industry, the automaker’s electric vehicle sales fell for the month. While that in itself isn’t surprising given the end of federal incentives, the performance of another model makes the magnitude of the fallout so apparent: the Mustang.
The gas-powered Mustang’s improvement creates a stark contrast to the EV’s impact. – Credit: Ford
Sales for the gas-powered pony alone nearly equaled those for the all of Ford electric vehicles, combined. Compared to a total of 4,247 electric vehicles, Ford managed to sell 4,207 Mustangs. The model galloped to a 78.6% improvement, a huge increase considering that only 2,355 buyers increased in November 2024.
While this can be attributed to a multitude of factors—price incentives, reclaimed inventory, and even just the V8’s unique appeal—there’s no denying that it illustrates a seismic shift.
Ford hybrids and trucks are proving to be steady sellers despite an overall industry decline for the month of November. – Credit: Ford
After all, even if Ford isn’t turning potential EV buyers into muscle car enthusiasts, the fact that the Mustang managed such a feat (after being repeatedly beaten by the Mach-E, no less) is a notable feat.
Between the clear demand for affordable vehicles and the monumental shift away from electric vehicles, Ford’s November sales are nothing short of telling.
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