Key Highlights

  • Ford sold 509,764 vehicles in the US in the third quarter, down from a year earlier, though sales were roughly flat once the Escape and Corsair phase-out was stripped out; the stock was down on the day.
  • Ford sold just 6,047 EVs in the US during the quarter, a steep drop from a year earlier, as comparisons fall against a 2025 period when buyers rushed to purchase EVs before a federal tax Credit expired.
  • Bright spots included F-Series pickups reaching 561,508 units for the year so far, more than 140,000 ahead of Chevrolet's Silverado, a record 38,020 Bronco sales, and Ford holding its No. 3 US sales position ahead of Hyundai.
  • Ford maintained its 2026 adjusted operating profit guidance of $10 billion to $11 billion, saying a mid-September supplier problem that disrupted F-150 production is contained within guidance.

Ford Motor (NYSE:F) slipped on Friday after the Detroit carmaker reported lower US sales for the third quarter, even as it held firm on its profit forecast for 2026. The stock was down during the session on a day when Tesla's surge lifted the broader auto space and the S&P 500 climbed 56.27 points to 7,722.72.

The Sales Numbers

Ford sold 509,764 vehicles in the US in the third quarter, down from a year earlier. The company said sales were roughly flat once the phase-out of the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair was stripped out, compared with a slight decline across the industry.

There were bright spots. Ford kept its No. 3 position in US sales, ahead of Hyundai. Its F-Series pickups, the best-selling trucks in America, reached 561,508 units for the year so far, more than 140,000 ahead of Chevrolet's Silverado. The Bronco SUV posted a record 38,020 sales, and sales of the Maverick Hybrid pickup jumped. Ford's retail Market Share also rose.

The weak spot was electric vehicles. Ford sold just 6,047 EVs in the US during the quarter, a steep drop from a year earlier. Like its rivals, Ford is comparing against a 2025 period when buyers rushed to purchase EVs before a federal tax credit expired.

Guidance Held Steady

Ford maintained its 2026 adjusted operating profit guidance of $10 billion to $11 billion. That is a key figure for investors because it shows the company expects to absorb recent setbacks without lowering its targets.

One of those setbacks was a supplier problem in mid-September that disrupted F-150 production. Ford said the issue is contained within guidance, meaning the company believes it can manage the disruption within its existing forecast.

A Mixed Day for Carmakers

Friday's auto news was a tale of contrasts. Tesla jumped after reporting third-quarter deliveries of 486,532, beating forecasts, and its gains made consumer discretionary the best-performing sector in the S&P 500.

General Motors had a choppy session; its own third-quarter US sales fell and its EV sales dropped sharply to 25,473. Rivian fell despite reporting record deliveries. Ford's slip fitted a pattern of traditional automakers struggling to match Tesla's momentum on the day.

Retail traders were upbeat, though. Sentiment on social platform Stocktwits was Bullish for Ford, Tesla, Rivian and GM.

The Macro Backdrop

The wider market was driven by a weak September jobs report. Employers added just 29,000 jobs against expectations of about 84,000, and the Unemployment rate ticked up. That cut odds of another Fed rate hike at the October 27-28 meeting to roughly one in five.

Car buyers often rely on loans, so lower rate expectations can help sentiment. However, Treasury yields reversed to close higher after an early drop, with the 10-year near its highest level since 2002. Fuel costs also matter for auto demand: US diesel averaged $6.37 a gallon on October 2, close to the record $6.52 set on September 22.

Watching the Supplier Fix and EV Comparisons

Ford's third-quarter Earnings report will show whether the company is on track for its $10 billion to $11 billion profit goal and how much the F-150 supplier issue cost.

The Fed's October 27-28 meeting will be important for auto Loan rates, and the G7's release of 100 million barrels of crude and diesel could ease fuel prices in the coming weeks. Investors will also watch whether EV Demand stabilises as the comparison with last year's tax-credit rush fades, and whether strong truck and Bronco sales can keep carrying Ford's US business.