Ford Motor Co.'s U.S. sales fell 1.3% in the first three months of 2025, concluding the period with March when sales grew 10% year-over-year.

The Dearborn automaker sold 199,672 vehicles last month for a total of 501,291 vehicles in the first quarter. The kickoff of spring sales, however, could not overcomes declines from January and February, particularly in the commercial sector and from discontinuation of the Ford Edge crossover. Retail sales grew 5% in the first quarter, including 19% in March alone.

But dealers fear the environment soon could change. The U.S. government on Thursday is set begin collecting 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and major auto parts like engines, transmissions and electrical components with President Donald Trump citing national security concerns for the duties. Concerns over tariffs have sent some shoppers to dealerships early in anticipation of rising prices, which potentially could exclude future buyers from the new-vehicle market.

Many imported vehicles won't seen immediate impact. Those that are compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement remain duty-free until the government puts the processes in place to exclude only the value of U.S. content. According to the latest figures from the U.S. Trade Representative, 92% of vehicles imported from Canada and Mexico are compliant. That includes Ford vehicles like the Maverick small pickup and Bronco Sport SUV from Mexico.

For the quarter, electric vehicle sales grew by 12%, and hybrids were up 33%. Internal combustion engine vehicles, which represented 85% of Ford's sales, were down 4.8%. Mustang fell by 32%, and Lincoln declined by 4.7%.

Ford pickups had their best start to a year in 20 years, according to the Blue Oval. In March, F-Series sales rose 38%, resulting in a first quarter increase of 24%. The all-electric F-150 Lightning, however, was down 7.2% for the quarter.

Ranger sales were up almost seven times the sales from early 2024, after inventories had been depleted by the United Auto Workers' strike in the fall of 2023 and the launch of new product. Maverick sales were down 2.7%, though the small pickup had its best March ever from improved availability.

Transit commercial van deliveries fell 13% for the quarter, including a 30% increase in all-electric E-Transit sales. Ford trucks overall rose 15% in the first three months of the year.

SUVs, meanwhile, were down 18%, largely from discontinuation of the Edge. Retooling at Kentucky Truck Assembly Plant also contributed to a 38% decrease in Expedition sales as the plant launched the fifth generation of the full-size SUV. Explorer also fell 19%. The all-electric, Mexico-built Mustang Mach-E grew 19%, Bronco was up 35%, the smaller Sport increased by 5.7% and Escape rose 2.1%.

At the Lincoln luxury brand, Navigator was the only nameplate to see sales rise — by 30%. Aviator fell 24%, the China-built Nautilus was down 6.1% and Corsair dropped by 0.7%.

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