Ford Sales Fall As Buyers Flock To Entry-Level Trims
Sales for the entry-level Ford Ranger and Bronco Sport were up 45.3 and 10.3 percent, respectively. Mustang sales continue to rebound.
The Breakdown:
- Ford sales declined 9.2 percent in the first quarter of 2026.
- Sales for the Mustang, Explorer, and Expedition increased.
- Ford saw sales rise for the entry-level Ranger XL and Bronco Sport.
Ford Motor Company has reported its first-quarter sales results, which were down 9.2 percent. Many models saw their sales decrease, but there were several bright spots, including the Mustang, Explorer, and Expedition, as well as sales for some of the brand’s entry-level trims.
According to the automaker, sales for the entry-level Ranger XL were up 45.5 percent. The Ranger starts at $35,245. Sales for the entry-level Bronco Sport were up 10.3 percent. Including the base Maverick, all three entry-level trims saw their sales rise by 8.4 percent.
Ford had success at the opposite end of the price spectrum. Ranger Raptor sales were up 36.1 percent, while sales for the Explorer and Expedition increased by 29.7 percent and 30.2 percent, respectively.
| Model | 2026 YTD Sales | 2025 YTD Sales | % Change |
| Bronco Sport | 35,021 | 33,363 | 5.0% |
| Escape | 12,397 | 37,357 | -66.8% |
| Bronco | 31,197 | 32,595 | -4.3% |
| Mustang | 14,074 | 9,377 | 50.1% |
| Mustang Mach-E | 4,600 | 11,607 | -60.4% |
| Explorer | 61,397 | 47,314 | 29.7% |
| Expedition | 17,554 | 13,482 | 30.2% |
| F-Series | 159,901 | 190,389 | -16.0% |
| (F-150 Lightning) | 2,060 | 7,187 | -71.3% |
| Ranger | 17,775 | 14,913 | 19.2% |
| Maverick | 33,861 | 38,015 | -10.9% |
| E-Series | 9,359 | 9,679 | -3.3% |
| Transit | 34,238 | 34,580 | -1.0% |
| Heavy Trucks | 2,331 | 2,811 | -17.1% |
| Ford Total | 433,705 | 477,560 | -9.2% |
Mustang Boom
Mustang sales started strong this year, a drastic change from the beginning of 2025 when sales were down 31.6 percent. Sales were up 3.2 percent in the second quarter of last year, tumbled 10 percent in the quarter after, and finally began to show signs of a rebound in the closing months of 2025.
Ford has carried that momentum into 2026, with Mustang sales up 50.1 percent. The automaker sold 14,074 Mustangs from January through March and is now the automaker’s best-selling version of the Mustang, outselling the electric Mach-E Crossover by a wide margin.
Ford Sales Slip
Like many other automakers, Ford saw sales for its electric vehicles decline. Mustang Mach-E sales were down 60.4 percent, with the automaker selling just 4,600 units. F-150 Lightning sales were even worse, down 71.3 percent, as the automaker prepares to replace it with a range-extended variant.
Sales also tumbled 16.0 for the brand’s best-selling model, the F-Series. The automaker sold 159,901 pickups, down from 177,796 at this time last year, but the model remains America’s best-selling pickup, outselling the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ram 1500. A supplier also suffered a fire near the end of last year, disrupting production.
The Maverick, which serves as the Blue Oval’s entry-level model, saw its sales decline by 10.9 percent, with 33,861 sold so far this year. Bronco sales were also down, falling 4.3 percent to 31,197 units sold.
Motor1’s Take: Despite strong sales for the Mustang, Explorer, and Expedition, overall Ford sales fell 9.2 percent. The decline could signal a slowdown as tariffs and other external factors continue to pressure the industry.
2026 Sales Roundup:
Source: Ford
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Ford Recalls Half A Million SUVs Over Potential Interior Safety Issue
'Even Mechanics Use YouTube': Woman Buys Honda Accord On Facebook For $700. Then It Costs Her $1,100 To Fix It
The Cars Americans Drive The Most—And The Least
'Dealerships Capitalize On Ignorance': Expert Says You Don’t Need A Negotiator. Then He Reveals Their Biggest Secret
2027 Ford Explorer ST Goes Dark With New Sinister Package
Mercedes-AMG's Biggest V8 SUVs Are Back—And More Bonkers Than Ever
Dealership Sells F-150. Then It Immediately Ends Up In The Service Department: 'Buy Them Lunch'