Ford Motor Co.'s larger SUVs and trucks outweighed a downward sales trend from the expiration of the federal government's plug-in vehicle tax credit, propelling the Dearborn automaker to a 1.6% increase year-over-year in October U.S. deliveries.

Ford's EV sales declined almost 25%, and hybrids fell 4%, while internal combustion engine vehicles represented 87% of sales. CEO Jim Farley has forecasted U.S. EV sales will halve as a result of the lost up-to $7,500 tax credit for eligible electrified vehicles as obstacles among many consumers persist around EV affordability, accesses to charging stations, range anxiety, grid reliability and behavioral changes.

Average transaction prices for new EVs rose to $65,021 in October, the second-highest on record, according to auto information website Edmunds.com Inc. Cox Automotive Inc. was predicting a "collapse" in EV sales in October after a record high in the third quarter. Overall, Cox was predicting a more than 3% decline in U.S. sales last month.

Ford and crosstown rival General Motors Co. had attempted to extend taxpayer-funded discounts to EV buyers beyond the Sept. 30 deadline by using their finance arms to place down payments on in-stock EVs. But both companies withdrew their plans following pressure from Sen. Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican and former auto dealer. Ford after that said it would foot the bill for competitive lease deals through the end of the year.

Ford in total last month sold 175,584 vehicles. Trucks rose 4.9%, SUVs fell by 4.7% and the Mustang coupe grew by 43%. The Ford brand rose by 2.5%, while the luxury Lincoln brand fell by 13.4%.

Adding to challenges that also include tariffs, record recalls in 2025 and increasing global competition, Ford is in the midst of a disruptive fourth quarter with a September fire at a New York aluminum plant taking out a hot mill that supports the automotive industry. Production of full-size SUVs and Super Duty trucks in Kentucky as well as the all-electric F-150 Lightning have been affected, and executives last week were expecting impact to the traditional F-150 too.

Novelis Inc.'s mill is expected to resume production at the end of the month or early December, and Ford is adding jobs to boost truck production in 2026 to make up for lost volume. The company has sufficient inventory that consumers shouldn't be affected, executives have said.

International tensions also are holding up exports of semiconductors out of China from Nexperia. Ford executives last week indicated they are hopeful for a resolution soon, but warned that continued hindrance of trade could cost production this quarter, as well.

Among SUVs, Bronco Sport increased 5.6%, Bronco rose 14% for a record October, Explorer increased 3% and Expedition grew 3.5%. Escape, whose production concludes at the year's end, fell 16%, and the Mustang Mach-E declined 12%.

In Ford trucks, F-Series increased 0.7% with the Lightning falling 17% and Super Duty pickup rising up 9%. Ranger grew 48% and Maverick was up 2% for a record October. Transit grew 5.8% for its best October since 2019, and the all-electric E-Transit declined 76%.

At Lincoln, only the Navigator was up 38% for a best October since 2007. Corsair fell 18%, Nautilus was down nearly 29% and Aviator declined by 15%.

GM and Chrysler parent Stellantis NV will report fourth-quarter sales in January. Hyundai Motor Co. reported U.S. October sales declined 2%.

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