Ford's US sales drop 3 per cent in September on weaker pickup sales

DETROIT - Ford's U.S. sales dipped 3 per cent in September as the company cut back on truck discounts in anticipation of a new F-150 later this year.

F-Series truck sales fell 1 per cent to 59,863. It was the first time in seven months that F-Series sales fell below 60,000.

Ford Motor Co. has temporarily closed one of its truck plants in Dearborn, Michigan, to retool for its new aluminum-clad F-150, which is due out later this year. It cut back on discounts in order to keep some trucks in stock during the shutdown.

Ford's only car to see a sales increase was the Fusion midsize sedan, which saw sales climb 9 per cent.

SUV sales were down 2 per cent. Escape small SUV sales dropped 4 per cent, while sales of the larger Explorer were flat.