Nov 3 (Reuters) - Ford on Monday reported a 1.6%

rise in U.S. sales in October, as a rise in demand for pickup

trucks offset falling electric vehicle volumes.

U.S. President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill ended

the $7,500 tax credits for new EV purchases last month, leading

to a temporary surge in sales during the third quarter.

Industry experts had predicted a subsequent drop in EVs

sales later this year. Sales of Ford's EVs, such as the Mustang

Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning, slipped nearly 25% to 4,709

vehicles in October from a year ago.

But pickup truck sales rose nearly 5% to 105,771 units,

helped by demand for Ranger and Maverick models.

Ford, General Motors ( GM ) and Stellantis ( STLA ) have

rolled back their ambitious plans for EVs in the U.S., pivoting

to their gasoline-powered models.

Ford's overall sales in the month rose to 175,584 units, up

from 172,756 units a year ago.