Ford’s Top Selling Cars of 2022

 Like many industries throughout the United States, the auto industry navigated various complications over 2022, many of which resulted in supply-chain issues that hampered dealer inventories. A depleted inventory yielded above-average prices across the industry, leading to a decline in sales compared to 2021. Despite these challenges, several auto manufacturers, including Ford, produced high-selling vehicles.

Ford placed three vehicles among the top 25 best-selling cars, trucks, and sports utility vehicles (SUV) of 2022, including the No. 1 selling vehicle in the US, the Ford F-Series. Sales for the F-Series were particularly impressive, considering the model was among many that impacted the global semiconductor chip shortage. Ford stands at the forefront of an American public that has continued to place its trust in pickup trucks and SUVs, with only two passenger cars ranking among the 10 best sellers.

The Ford F-Series, also known as the Ford F-150, moved approximately 653,957 units in 2022, equating to nearly 141,000 more trucks sold compared to the Chevy Silverado, the nation’s second-highest-selling vehicle. Unfortunately, Ford was forced to endure the same supply chain and inventory issues as other manufacturers; the F-Series also led all vehicle sales in 2021 but managed to sell more than 726,000 units that year, representing an 8 percent decline in 2022. Approximately 787,422 F-Series trucks were sold in 2020.

The F-Series has spent over four decades as the nation’s top-selling vehicle and nearly five decades as America’s most popular pickup truck. While the F-Series has given Ford a strong toehold in America’s auto landscape, the manufacturer remains locked in competition with peers. Late in 2021, Ford secured a three-month streak as the nation’s overall best-selling automaker, the manufacturer’s first streak of this length since 1974.

Understanding the competitive and evolving American automotive market, Ford has sought to augment and optimize options for its top-selling product. In 2021 Ford introduced a hybrid option for the F-Series, along with a Super Duty model. In 2022, meanwhile, Ford introduced the Lightning, an electric version of the F-150. Sales for the Lightning approached 16,000 entering 2022.

Of course, the F-150 was not the only Ford model making waves in 2022. The Ford Explorer finished 2022 as the No. 14 best-selling car in the United States, holding its position from 2021, with nearly 208,000 units sold. While the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Highlander have more than challenged Ford in the mid-size SUV marketplace, the Explorer’s 6 percent sales decline from 2021 was smaller than many manufacturers experienced during the year.

Finally, the Ford Escape ranked as the No. 24 most popular car in the US for 2022. The Escape sold 137,370 units in 2022 and has faced stiff competition from the Bronco Sport. However, despite global supply chain issues, Escape experienced a sales decline of just 6 percent, compared to a 19 percent drop between 2020 and 2021.

Toyota and Chevy were the only manufacturers with multiple vehicles among the nation’s 10 best-selling cars. Beyond the Ford F-Series, the Chevy Silverado was the only vehicle to surpass the 500,000 units sold threshold.

Tips When Choosing a Sport Utility Vehicle

 Generally, a sport utility vehicle (SUV) is defined by a tall roof, high ride height, and elevated seating position. For many buyers, the SUV exterior design is important. However, exterior styling is a subjective quality that depends on your individual preferences, emotions, and need for functionality. For example, if you decide to buy a Ford Bronco Sport, it can do hard work. On the other hand, some SUVs come with more rugged capabilities with chunky tires, reinforced lower panels, and elevated ride height.

Others SUVs are city slickers with dazzling LED accent lights, elegant lines, and shiny chrome trim. In terms of features, remember that form usually follows function. Therefore, consider factors like how high you might need to step in and out of the SUV. Also, consider how high (lift-over height) you will have to lift your cargo when loading it.

Where do you intend to do most of your driving? Off-road driving, for instance, will require the strength of four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles. A 4WD offers more stability control and better traction, useful features when taking the vehicle off-road or towing something like a boat or trailer camper. A 4WD model might also serve you better if you live in a place that snows heavily, as they are often equipped with traction-enhancing differential locks and low-range crawl gears.

For more common driving, an all-wheel drive (AWD) boosts traction. Whether maneuvering a wet road or reducing acceleration wheel spin, an AWD is good because it usually engages automatically. However, rear-wheel or front-wheel drive will suffice if you want cargo or passenger capabilities in an SUV.

Nearly all SUVs can carry at least five passengers. Some full-sized and midsized models come with a third-row seat that boosts the carrying capacity to six, seven, or even eight people. Although SUVs are generally known as large vehicles, getting slightly smaller models, including crossover options, is still possible. A five-seater family might be suitable for a family of four, but if you have a larger family or travel with many friends, a seven or eight-seater might be your best option.

Regarding cargo space, the cubic footage available in an SUV might not be a definitive guide, although it gives a broad idea. Pay attention to how easy loading cargo might be. For example, could the rear bumper be too high to make loading difficult? Many three-row fold seats can fold. But how do they fold into the SUV's floor to create additional cargo space? Do they lie flat?

Finally, don't overlook safety and driver assistance features. For example, many drivers prefer SUVs because of their elevated height, enabling a better road view. That, however, may not always be the best thing. The styling and design of most SUVs often mean it's hard to get a good view of the rear or sides, particularly when parking or changing lanes.

For that, look for an SUV with a blind-spot monitor as an option or standard. This is an audio or visual alert when another vehicle is in your blind spot. Also, look for an SUV with rear and front parking sensors. Other common advanced driving aids include lane departure control, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.