Ford Motor’s U.S. vehicle sales fell 6.6% in the third quarter of 2026, as the automaker phased out its Escape and Lincoln Corsair crossover models amid changing consumer demand.
Ford sold 509,764 vehicles during the quarter, compared with the same period a year earlier. The decline comes as high gasoline prices encourage more American consumers to consider hybrid vehicles, while affordability remains a challenge because of elevated vehicle prices.
Ford’s truck sales, however, increased 0.5% to 315,112 units. Sales of its Maverick pickup, which is available with a hybrid powertrain, climbed more than 20% to 41,970 units.
The company said it is seeing stronger demand for hybrid powertrains, including on its F-150 pickup.
The shift comes as Asian automakers with larger hybrid line-ups gain ground in the U.S. market. Toyota and Honda have benefited from consumers seeking vehicles with lower fuel consumption as gasoline prices remain elevated.
The average price paid for a new vehicle reached $50,089 in August, up 1.9% from a year earlier, adding to pressure on household budgets.
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