New York, January 6, 2026, 21:46 (EST) — Market closed
- Ford shares closed up 2.45% at $13.80 after the automaker reported higher 2025 U.S. sales.
- Hybrid and Maverick demand offset softer EV volumes.
- Focus shifts to Friday’s U.S. jobs report and Ford’s Feb. 10 results for 2026 guidance.
Ford Motor Co (NYSE: F) shares closed up 2.45% at $13.80 on Tuesday after the automaker reported its best annual U.S. sales since 2019, lifted by hybrid models and the lower-priced Maverick pickup. The stock traded between $13.32 and $13.86 and saw volume of about 84.4 million shares.
The sales snapshot matters now because it offers a clean read on demand heading into Ford’s fourth-quarter earnings and guidance, when investors will test whether higher volumes are translating into cash. It also points to a shift in sales mix — which models and powertrains are selling — as buyers push back against high vehicle prices.
That mix is critical for Ford as it tries to balance profitable trucks and hybrids with a slower-than-hoped ramp for battery-electric vehicles (EVs). Investors have kept a close eye on incentives, warranty costs and the pace of spending on new EV platforms and software.
In a news release filed with regulators, Ford said 2025 U.S. sales rose 6% to 2,204,124 vehicles and market share — its slice of industry sales — rose 0.6 percentage points to 13.2%. Hybrid sales rose 21.7% to 228,072 and Maverick sales climbed 18.2% to 155,051; F-Series sales rose 8.3% to 828,832, while EV sales totalled 84,113. “Our ‘power of choice’ approach – offering gas, hybrid, and electric – is exactly what consumers are looking for right now,” Andrew Frick, president of Ford Blue and Model e, said. SEC
Before the next session, traders will watch U.S. labor data for clues on rates, which drive monthly loan payments for car buyers. The Labor Department is scheduled to release the December employment report on Friday at 08:30 a.m. ET.
Ford’s update came after other automakers including Toyota, Hyundai and General Motors also posted higher annual U.S. sales. Still, Ford has flagged headwinds in EVs and said in December it would take a $19.5 billion writedown and discontinue several EV models after demand softened and federal tax credits were rolled back.
Analysts expect U.S. auto sales to cool in 2026 after a strong 2025, as affordability strains and policy changes weigh on shoppers. A slower market would leave less room for price increases and could force higher incentives across the sector.
But higher unit sales do not guarantee higher profit, especially if Ford has to lean on discounts to keep inventory moving. Any surprise on quality or production disruptions could lift warranty bills and hit cash flow.
Ford’s shares are hovering near the top of their 52-week range, with $14 emerging as a key level for momentum traders. The stock’s day range on Tuesday was $13.32 to $13.86, leaving near-term support near $13.30 and resistance — where rallies often stall — near $14.
“This is a customer-driven shift to create a stronger, more resilient and more profitable Ford,” CEO Jim Farley said in December, as the company pivots toward trucks, hybrids and cheaper EVs. Ford plans to report fourth-quarter and full-year results on Feb. 10. businesswire.com
