Ford records 6 percent decline in vehicle sales during 2001

DETROIT - Capping off a troubled year that included the Firestone tire controversy, the departure of CEO Jacques Nasser and declining earnings, Ford Motor Co. reported Thursday its sales dropped 6 percent in 2001 from a year earlier. <br> <br> Sales during December for the nation&#39;s second biggest automaker were only three-tenths of a percent better than in December 2000, hurt by a 25 percent drop in passenger car sales. <br> <br> But its F-series pickup trucks remained the best-selling vehicle in the United States for the 20th straight year, Ford said. <br> <br> BMW of North America LLC reported an 11 percent decline in vehicle sales last month compared with December 2000. For the year, the German automaker posted a 12.5 percent increase, making 2001 its best sales year to date in the United States. <br> <br> Strong sales of its new A4 model powered Audi of America to its best-ever U.S. sales during 2001. For the year, sales of Audi vehicles were up 3.6 percent over 2000, despite a 3 percent decline during December. <br> <br> Volkswagen of America Inc. reported a half-percent increase in sales over 2000, and a 9.3 percent increase in December compared with a year earlier. <br> <br> Volvo Cars of North America recorded its best year in the United States, selling 125,710 vehicles, 2,532 vehicles or 2 percent more than it sold during 2000. <br> <br> Reflecting the resurgence of South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor America, the company reported record December sales, up 39 percent from a year earlier. For the year, Hyundai&#39;s sales rose 42 percent over 2000. <br>