Ford's Dangerous Strategy to Increase Truck Sales Echoes the 2008 Situation | Carscoops

      Buyers with poor credit scores are being presented with low-interest financing options, but this choice could turn out to be a risky move.

      Ford aims to boost F-150 sales by reaching out to customers with subpar credit ratings. From now until the end of September, sub-prime borrowers will receive interest rates comparable to those offered to prime borrowers. Although F-150 sales have increased in 2025 overall, August figures have declined compared to last year.

      The F-150 is crucial to Ford’s operations, representing about 40 percent of its yearly production and consistently ranking high in national sales. However, F-Series sales saw a 3.4 percent drop in August, prompting Ford to adopt a strategy that may cause concern among those who recall the financial crisis of the late 2000s, which stemmed from lax lending practices.

      Ford is shifting its focus towards American consumers with less-than-ideal credit ratings to boost sales, as reported by the WSJ. Throughout September, customers with lower credit scores can take advantage of interest rates that are typically reserved for safer borrowers. These customers are also offered extended loan terms of up to 72 or even 84 months to make monthly payments more manageable.

      The timing is significant: sub-prime borrowers in the US faced average APRs around 16 percent in Q2, according to Experian data cited by the WSJ, while low-risk borrowers gained access to financing at only 5 percent. Ford’s limited-time program considerably narrows this gap, potentially enabling new truck ownership for those who thought it was out of reach.

      An increase in sales during September, driven by more affordable financing, could positively affect Ford’s third-quarter results. The starting price for the truck lineup is just under $39,000, but fully equipped models like the Raptor R can exceed $115,000.

      Additionally, Ford’s move to facilitate financing for high-risk drivers coincides with a report from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), which highlighted a rise in auto loan delinquencies. Notably, the report revealed that not just sub-prime borrowers are struggling, but those with average credit scores are also having trouble keeping up with payments.

      A Ford Credit representative told the WSJ that the company stays selective in its lending practices. “We only finance customers we consider creditworthy and who have the ability to repay,” stated a Ford finance spokesperson. “We have previously initiated similar national programs, offering promotional rates to customers who satisfy our credit standards.”