CNBC's Auto Expert Breaks Down April's Sales Figure, Highlights Strong Truck Sales

Shares of Ford Motor Company F were trading lower by more than 2 percent on Tuesday despite the company reporting its April U.S. auto sales data. Ford said that its total U.S. auto sales rose 4 percent year-over-year to 231,316 units. CNBC's auto expert Phil LeBeau pointed out that Ford's recorded 4 percent gain in sales is "slightly" below Edmunds.com's estimates for a 4.5 percent gain. LeBeau noted that for more than a year, trucks and utility sales are becoming an increasingly important component of the overall sales mix, particularly at Ford. He pointed out that Ford recorded a 12.6 percent gain in F-series truck sales as the company is "finally getting the full year rotation in terms of sales and production of the F-series" at various production facilities. On the other hand, LeBeau said that "people are just moving away from cars" and this is not unique to Ford. Nevertheless, the automaker did report a 11.5 percent decline in car sales in April.