Ford Motor Co. executives told dealers they expect to grow retail sales to 1.7 million vehicles in 2021, a 13 percent year-over-year increase, even as a microchip shortage slows production and the ongoing pandemic hinders demand.
The automaker said it's aiming for its highest retail share growth in seven years, behind new products such as the Mustang Mach-E, Bronco Sport crossover and Bronco SUV. Ford said the volume goal for this year would represent 5 percent improvement over 2019.
Executives outlined the target during the company's NADA Show make meeting. Kumar Galhotra, Ford's president of the Americas and International Markets Group, was among the main speakers.
Others included Matt VanDyke, the incoming CEO of FordDirect; Marion Harris, CEO of Ford Motor Credit Co.; and Frederiek Toney, vice president of Global Ford Customer Service Division.
Executives touched on a still-under-construction e-commerce platform, Ford Express Buy. They also …