Ford and Stellantis say automotive gross sales fell at first of the 12 months.

Ford Motor mentioned on Monday that its new-vehicle gross sales in the US fell 17 % within the first three months of the 12 months, in step with different automakers which might be struggling to maintain their factories operating amid a world scarcity of laptop chips.

Ford mentioned it had offered 429,174 vehicles and lightweight vans within the first quarter, in contrast with 517,711 a 12 months earlier. Its gross sales included 6,734 Mustang Mach-E electrical sport utility automobiles, solely 120 greater than a 12 months earlier, a mirrored image of the impression of the chip scarcity.

Stellantis, the maker of Jeeps and Ram pickups, mentioned its U.S. gross sales had fallen 14 % to 405,221 vehicles and lightweight vans. Jeep model gross sales solely fell 2 %, thank to 2 new S.U.V.s, the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. The corporate’s Chrysler and Dodge manufacturers declined 27 % and 36 %.

Established automakers have been scuffling with the chip scarcity for months, some for greater than a 12 months. Against this, Tesla, the most important vendor of electrical vehicles, mentioned on Saturday that its new automotive gross sales had been up nearly 70 percent in the first quarter.

Ford mentioned its sellers had 268,000 automobiles in stock on the finish of March, down from 370,000 a 12 months earlier. G.M. had shares of 273,760 automobiles, down from 334,628. Years in the past, the 2 automakers sometimes held inventories of 800,000 automobiles or extra.

Ford, Normal Motors and different firms have mentioned they anticipate manufacturing and gross sales to return to extra regular ranges within the second half of the 12 months.

Ford is seeing sturdy demand for its pickup vans and S.U.V.s, Andrew Frick, Ford’s vp of gross sales, distribution and vans, mentioned in a press release. The automaker took in 50,000 orders from retail prospects for F-series vans in March, which Mr. Frick mentioned was a file.

Toyota Motor, which initially weathered the chip scarcity higher than its American rivals, outsold each Ford and G.M. within the first quarter, promoting 514,592 automobiles, simply forward of G.M’s 512,846. Toyota additionally outsold Ford and G.M. in 2021, changing into the primary producer primarily based outdoors the US to realize that feat within the business’s almost 120-year historical past.