Ford Motor (NYSE:F) lost its lead in electric vehicle sales to crosstown rival General Motors (NYSE:GM) during the third quarter, as the automaker’s EV growth slowed.
Ford on Wednesday reported a 0.7% increase in third-quarter U.S. new vehicle sales, including a 12.2% rise in EVs compared with a year earlier.
The third-quarter results for Ford contributed to a 45% increase in EV sales this year through September to 67,689 units. That compares with GM on Tuesday reporting EV sales of 70,450 units through September, including a roughly 60% year-over-year rise during the third quarter.
Both Ford and GM continue to trail Hyundai Motor, including Kia, in EVs by roughly 18,000 units or more. The South Korean automaker remains a distant second in U.S. EV sales to market leader Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA).
GM has been significantly increasing its number of EV models, including by offering eight “Ultium-based” EVs for consumers — referring to its electric vehicle architecture and battery technologies. Ford, on the other hand, only has three EVs and is focusing more on expanding hybrid models in the short term.
“Different lifestyles and use cases require unique types of power,” Andrew Frick, president of Ford Blue and customer service, said in a release. “We’ve listened to customers to offer them vehicles with powertrains to meet their specific needs, and their response validates our product strategy.”
F shares were in reverse 4.5 cents to $10.44 while those for GM sank 24 cents to $44.58.
