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Ford to Elevate Production of Expedition and Navigator in US
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Ford Motor Company (F - Free Report) reported that it will increase the production of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in the United States, per Reuters. The production expansion will drive this automaker’s profits on the back of robust demand for spacious, comfortable, and big SUVs and pickups in the country. Additionally, the availability of low-priced gasoline contributed to consumers’ demand for large SUVs, even at premium prices.
The United States-based automaker invested $925 million to upgrade the product line for the manufacturing of new-generation Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs at its hub in Louisville, KY. Beginning in July, the factory will increase the production of these models by 20%. This will mark the second production increase of 20% for these SUVs in a year.
Further, the company will shift 550 jobs to the Kentucky truck plant to manage increased production. The soon-to-be shifted employees currently work at the Louisville assembly hub to manufacture Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC.
Ford has been witnessing sequential growth in Expedition and Navigator sales. In 2018, Expedition eight-passenger SUV’s retail sales climbed 35% year over year while Navigator’s sales jumped 70%. Growing customer demand for Ford’s Expedition and Navigator SUVs encouraged it to increase the production, which is likely to drive earnings and improve its market share in the United States.
Further, consumers are paying premium prices to own Ford’s new-generation SUVs. Expedition’s average transaction price rose $11,700 year over year to $62,700. Last month, Navigator’s average price rose to $81,000 from $78,000 a year earlier.
High average transaction prices, and robust demand for SUVs and trucks are likely to drive Ford’s revenues in North America. Further, product launches, fitness initiatives and turnaround efforts are expected to drive profits across all regions in 2019.
A few other stocks in the auto space are Dana Incorporated (DAN - Free Report) , Oshkosh Corporation (OSK - Free Report) and General Motors Company (GM - Free Report) . Long-term growth rates for Dana, Oshkosh and General Motors are 4.4%, 11.3% and 8.9%, respectively.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
In addition to the stocks discussed above, wouldn't you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year?
From more than 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank, these 10 were picked by a process that consistently beats the market. Even during 2018 while the market dropped -5.2%, our Top 10s were up well into double-digits. And during bullish 2012 – 2017, they soared far above the market's +126.3%, reaching +181.9%.
This year, the portfolio features a player that thrives on volatility, an AI comer, and a dynamic tech company that helps doctors deliver better patient outcomes at lower costs.
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Ford to Elevate Production of Expedition and Navigator in US
Ford Motor Company (F - Free Report) reported that it will increase the production of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in the United States, per Reuters. The production expansion will drive this automaker’s profits on the back of robust demand for spacious, comfortable, and big SUVs and pickups in the country. Additionally, the availability of low-priced gasoline contributed to consumers’ demand for large SUVs, even at premium prices.
The United States-based automaker invested $925 million to upgrade the product line for the manufacturing of new-generation Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs at its hub in Louisville, KY. Beginning in July, the factory will increase the production of these models by 20%. This will mark the second production increase of 20% for these SUVs in a year.
Further, the company will shift 550 jobs to the Kentucky truck plant to manage increased production. The soon-to-be shifted employees currently work at the Louisville assembly hub to manufacture Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC.
Ford has been witnessing sequential growth in Expedition and Navigator sales. In 2018, Expedition eight-passenger SUV’s retail sales climbed 35% year over year while Navigator’s sales jumped 70%. Growing customer demand for Ford’s Expedition and Navigator SUVs encouraged it to increase the production, which is likely to drive earnings and improve its market share in the United States.
Further, consumers are paying premium prices to own Ford’s new-generation SUVs. Expedition’s average transaction price rose $11,700 year over year to $62,700. Last month, Navigator’s average price rose to $81,000 from $78,000 a year earlier.
High average transaction prices, and robust demand for SUVs and trucks are likely to drive Ford’s revenues in North America. Further, product launches, fitness initiatives and turnaround efforts are expected to drive profits across all regions in 2019.
A few other stocks in the auto space are Dana Incorporated (DAN - Free Report) , Oshkosh Corporation (OSK - Free Report) and General Motors Company (GM - Free Report) . Long-term growth rates for Dana, Oshkosh and General Motors are 4.4%, 11.3% and 8.9%, respectively.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
In addition to the stocks discussed above, wouldn't you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year?
From more than 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank, these 10 were picked by a process that consistently beats the market. Even during 2018 while the market dropped -5.2%, our Top 10s were up well into double-digits. And during bullish 2012 – 2017, they soared far above the market's +126.3%, reaching +181.9%.
This year, the portfolio features a player that thrives on volatility, an AI comer, and a dynamic tech company that helps doctors deliver better patient outcomes at lower costs.
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