Ford Will Lead Industry in New-Model Rollouts

Ford Motor Co. plans to replace 26% of its U.S. vehicle lineup in model years 2013-2016, more than any other major carmaker, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch. It says Ford will replace models representing nearly half its sales volume in North America during the 2013 model year alone.

The industry's average replacement rate over the four-year period will be 23%, according to the annual analysis.

The only other carmakers planning to replace models above that rate will be General Motors (25%) and Toyota (23%). Author John Murphy says Chrysler and Honda each will replace only 20% of their models by the 2016 model year.

Murphy notes that carmakers are emerging from a slump in new-model rollouts caused by the global recession. He says many of the new vehicles will be high-margin luxury cars, crossovers and light trucks that should help boost profits.