The surge of drivers owning four-wheel drive vehicles has continued to grow, and Ford’s 4×4 sales keeps growing along with it. Not just that, but Ford significantly outperformed their strongest competitors last year, a detail that the company has thematically revealed today, on April 4th – what they’re calling “4×4 Day.”
With 114 million Americans in 2022 participating in some sort of outdoor adventure activities on a recurring basis, new data from S&P Global Mobility discovered that Ford sold 1.2 million four-wheel-powered vehicles in the United States in last year – which is roughly 18 percent more than the next best-selling brand, Toyota, and 42 percent over Jeep’s figures.
Almost two-thirds of Ford’s total new vehicle sales are Ford 4×4 models, compared to just around one-third a decade ago. And just as remarkably, it isn’t just men or older customers that are purchasing these vehicles, as more than one-half of the automaker’s female and millennial buyers are choosing all- or four-wheel drive equipped vehicles at about double the rate of last decade.
Ford – which currently provides 13 four-wheel-powered trucks and SUV models – has been at the innovative forefront when it comes to sales since 2000. Customers have a large selection to choose from for their 4x4 preferences, including the highly-capable Ford Explorer and Ford Edge ST to the more rugged Ford Bronco Sport, Ford Bronco, Ford F-150, Ford Super Duty, and Ford Expedition.
For a little insight into Ford’s early innovative practices, since 2000 Ford has led all automakers in U.S. four-wheel-powered vehicle sales, while one of its latest offerings – Bronco – has a long history with providing extreme capability. For example, in World War II, Ford participated in a government competition to build rugged carry-all utilities for GIs on the battlefield, producing more than 270,000 general purpose, or GP, vehicles for the Allied forces. Ford research in the early ’60s revealed they were too small and uncomfortable for civilian life, so a more refined, spacious off-road vehicle that still delivered durability was born – the Ford Bronco.
“We know customers want SUVs for the additional cargo space and convenience, and also for the capability and confidence that comes with a four-wheel-powered vehicle,” said Dave Rivers, Ford U.S. SUV marketing manager. “In some cases, it’s the day-to-day confidence of driving in snow, but it’s also the desire to get outdoors, get off-road and find new adventures.”