Ford US Sales Climb 16 Percent in May Amid Tariffs and Pricing Push

Hybrid demand, SUV gains, and a national discount program drove Ford’s third straight month of double-digit growth as electric vehicle growth deep dived.

A Ford vehicle logo on a car at an automotive dealership in Ottawa on Aug. 11, 2023. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

Ford Motor Co. reported a 16.3 percent increase in U.S. vehicle sales for May, posting its third consecutive month of year-over-year growth as the company pushed discounts and consumers responded ahead of expected price increases tied to new tariffs.

The automaker sold 220,959 vehicles in the United States last month, up from 190,014 in May 2024, according to data released June 3. Internal combustion engine vehicles led the gains, rising 17.2 percent year over year to 191,517 units. Hybrid sales grew even faster, up 28.9 percent to 22,719 units.

The company’s electric vehicle sales declined 25 percent from the same month last year, totaling 6,723 units. That included a 41.7 percent drop in sales of the all-electric F-150 Lightning, which fell to 1,902 trucks. Ford also sold just 97 electric Transit vans, down more than 90 percent from a year ago.

SUVs continued to show strong results, with a 25 percent sales increase over May 2024. The Bronco and Bronco Sport models both posted year-over-year gains above 45 percent. The larger Expedition rose 43.2 percent. Total SUV sales reached 94,595 for the month.

Truck sales climbed 11.2 percent to 121,354 units, driven by strong F-Series and Ranger performance. The F-Series remained Ford’s best-selling line, with nearly 80,000 units sold in May. Smaller trucks also showed strength: Maverick sales rose 13.9 percent, and Ranger sales increased 34.4 percent.

Ford’s luxury Lincoln brand recorded a 39 percent increase in SUV sales. The Navigator more than doubled its May 2024 numbers, jumping to 2,843 units from 1,220. Other Lincoln models, including the Nautilus and Aviator, also posted double-digit gains.

Ford has been running a broad employee pricing program since March, advertising discounts under the banner “From America, For America.” The promotion coincided with the implementation of new U.S. auto tariffs that took effect in early April, applying to certain imported vehicles and parts, including models built in Mexico.

The Trump administration has argued that the 25 percent tariff is necessary to protect domestic manufacturing and reduce U.S. reliance on foreign-made vehicles and components. Officials say the policy is aimed at encouraging automakers to build more vehicles and source more parts within the United States.

While the company recently raised sticker prices by between $600 to $2,000 on several Mexican-built models—such as the Bronco Sport, Maverick, and Mustang Mach-E—it said the full cost of tariffs is not being passed on to buyers.

Vehicles already in dealer inventory were not affected by the price hike, and Ford has emphasized that its U.S. production footprint gives it an advantage under the new trade policy. The automaker has paused its full-year earnings guidance and estimates the tariffs could cost the company around $1.5 billion in 2025.

Executives have pointed to Ford’s ability to produce the majority of its vehicles and parts in the United States as a potential buffer. In recent months, the company has also halted exports to China and is reviewing ways to further localize its supply chains.

Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.