Ford Motor Company reported a mixed performance in its February 2026 U.S. sales results, as overall vehicle sales declined but demand for the brand’s larger SUVs reached levels not seen in more than two decades.
The automaker reported total sales of 149,962 vehicles in February, including Lincoln models. That figure represents a 5.5% drop compared with February 2025, when the company sold 158,675 vehicles. Despite the overall decline, Ford saw a notable surge in interest for its larger sport utility vehicles, which collectively delivered the company’s strongest February performance in that category in 26 years.
Among Ford’s SUV lineup, the three-row Explorer emerged as a standout performer. The model recorded 20,100 units sold in February, representing a 33.37% increase compared with the same month last year. The Explorer has maintained strong momentum in recent years and was the best-selling three-row SUV in the United States during 2025. Buyers continue to gravitate toward the vehicle’s V6 powertrain and bold design.
The larger Expedition also saw strong growth, with 5,551 units sold in February. That figure represents a 26.48% increase year over year. Together, the Explorer and Expedition played a key role in boosting Ford’s large SUV segment, even as other areas of the company’s lineup experienced significant declines.
Several smaller SUVs posted weaker results during the same period. The Escape recorded 4,025 sales, representing a sharp drop of more than 71% compared with February 2025. The Ford Edge, which is no longer in production, registered no sales at all for the month.
The Mustang Mach-E also experienced a decline, with 1,502 units sold, down more than 54% from a year earlier. Meanwhile, the Bronco lineup remained a bright spot. The Bronco recorded 12,553 sales, up 27.6%, while the Bronco Sport reached 11,273 sales, increasing 12.39%.
Ford’s F-Series pickup line remained the company’s top-selling product with 49,160 units sold in February. However, that total represented a decline of nearly 14% compared with the previous year.
In recent years, Ford has shifted its strategy away from entry-level vehicles. Models such as the Fiesta, EcoSport, Edge and Escape have been discontinued, leaving buyers with fewer affordable options. The Maverick pickup currently stands as the brand’s primary offering under $30,000.
Ford executives and dealers have acknowledged that the company is missing opportunities in the lower-priced vehicle segment, where competitors such as Toyota, Kia and Honda continue to see strong demand.
To address that gap, Ford is planning to introduce five new affordable models by 2030. The upcoming lineup is expected to include a midsize electric pickup, additional hybrid models and the possibility of a new sedan. These vehicles are intended to offer simpler and more affordable transportation options at a time when average new vehicle prices regularly exceed $50,000.
While trucks and large SUVs remain key drivers of Ford’s sales performance, the company’s future strategy suggests a renewed focus on delivering more accessible vehicles to a broader range of buyers.
