Hybrid trucks and an expanded trim lineup contributed to Ford Motor Co.'s U.S. sales increasing 6% year-over-year in 2025, but keeping up the pace could come with challenges as fallout from an aluminum shortage continues, production of the Escape crossover has ended and analysts forecast market declines.

Ford sold 2.2 million vehicles last year, including a 2.7% increase in the fourth quarter from 2024. Surpassing expected 1.8% growth in the overall market, the Dearborn automaker grew its market share to more than 13%, according to Cox Automotive Inc., and beat sales expectations for the year and the October-through-December quarter.

"Our share growth and beating the overall industry was achieved by offering a great range of total products, from accessible entry-level models to high-performance off-roaders and luxury trim lines," said Andrew Frick, president of Ford Blue and Model e, the automaker's gas/hybrid and EV divisions, respectively. "Our growth with record hybrid sales really showed the power-of-choice approach that we had by offering our gas, hybrid and electric powertrains that really paid off for us throughout the entire year."

Up 8.3%, F-Series pickups grew their 49th year of truck leadership over the second-place Chevrolet Silverado, though General Motors Co. sold in total more full-size pickup trucks across its brands. Super Dutys were up 9.5%, their best sales year since 2004. Multiple fires in the fall at a Novelis Inc. aluminum plant in New York, however, affected production of the Ford pickups.

Sales declined 3.1% in the fourth quarter, including a 60% decline in the all-electric F-150 Lightning after the end of the federal plug-in vehicle tax credit in September and the truck's recent discontinuation. Frick said the company is working on setting up a third crew at Dearborn Truck Plant this quarter to make up for lost volumes.

Electric vehicles in total declined 14%, including a 52% drop in the fourth quarter alone. For the full year, hybrids gained 22%. Fully gas- and diesel-powered vehicles, though, still represented 86% of sales and were up 5.5% in 2025. Luxury brand Lincoln's sales rose 2% last year.

Production of the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair ended in December as Ford retools Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky for a new all-electric $30,000 midsize truck there. Despite sales of the Escape declining 5.1%, some dealers expressed concerns about the empty spot in their lineup with inventory not expected to last much beyond the first three months of the year,

"There's not a small- or medium-sized SUVs at all," said Jim Seavitt, owner of Village Ford in Dearborn. "That's where my biggest worries are."

Ford added lower-tier Active and sporty ST trims to the three-row Explorer, which outpaced the 15% overall sales growth of the Explorer, Frick said. That sought to appeal to Escape buyers, but Seavitt said for many, it's too big. Bronco Sport is another option, but its off-road ruggedness doesn't appeal to all. Achieving a record 18% sales increase, Maverick has attracted SUV buyers, as well, but not everyone wants a truck.

For buyers willing to go electric, Seavitt said he has put some of them in the Mustang Mach-E. Ford's pullback on EVs, however, has raised questions on its future. The vehicle's sales were down 40% in the fourth quarter.

"We continue to produce Mustang Mach-E," Frick said, noting its strong conquest and loyalty rates. "We're really just looking to match our production to the market demand at this point."

He added that Ford has invested in Blue Advantage certified pre-owned vehicles, as well, including adding them to Amazon Auto.

Mustang coupe sales increased 3%. At Ford Pro, Transit vans were up 5.9%, contributing to a record 47th year of commercial van leadership.

Lincoln sales declined 7.4% in the fourth quarter. The new Navigator carried the sales increase for the year, up 43%.

U.S. market leader GM increased sales 5.5% to 2.85 million in 2025, though fourth-quarter sales declined 7% following expiration of the federal government's plug-in vehicle tax credit. Chrysler and Jeep parent Stellantis NV was down 3% for the full year, but up 4% in the fourth quarter.

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