First-Quarter Sales Plunge Sends Ford Stock (NYSE:F) Slipping

The numbers are in for the first-quarter sales at legacy automaker Ford F -0.73% ▼ , and the news is not great. Reports note that Ford’s first quarter featured a 9% drop in first-quarter sales, and investors are getting concerned. Ford shares dropped fractionally in Thursday afternoon’s trading.

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A litany of problems accompanied Ford’s first-quarter sales figures, starting with higher financing costs as interest rates remain extremely high. Throw in rising sticker prices in the wake of ongoing inflationary pressures, the loss of federal tax credits for electric vehicles, and a general concern about spending, and you have a recipe for a declining quarter.

Truck sales were down 11.3%, and sport utility vehicles lost 7.8%. Electric vehicle sales were all but ruined, as sales dropped 70% in the comparative period. Overall sales of vehicles in the United States dropped 5.3% against the first quarter of 2025. There was one bright spot, though, as those who were buying cars went overwhelmingly toward value trims. Entry-level Maverick, Ranger and Bronco Sport sales were up 8.4% against the year-ago period.

Burning up the Nurburgring

Recently, we heard that Ford was having a great time at the Nurburgring. And Ford managed to bring home a downright staggering win just recently. The Ford GT Mk IV managed to post the third-fastest time in Nurburgring history. Moreover, that Ford also managed to post the fastest time that an American car has ever had.

The two cars ahead of the GT Mk IV were the Porsche POAHY -0.55% ▼ 919 Hybrid EVO and the Volkswagen VWAGY -1.16% ▼ ID.R. Those two cars are particularly noteworthy, as the Porsche is a hybrid and the Volkswagen is a pure electric. This means that Ford is not only the fastest American car at the Nurburgring, and the third-fastest all-time, it is also the single fastest gas-powered car on that track.

Is Ford Stock a Good Buy Right Now?

Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on F stock based on three Buys, 11 Holds and one Sell assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 22.43% rally in its share price over the past year, the average F price target of $13.88 per share implies 19.91% upside potential.

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