The only domestic auto maker not to take bailout money has posted a profit. YESSS!
Way to go Ford.
DEARBORN, Mich. – One of the troubled Detroit Three automakers, Ford, is making money again and looking for better times in no more than two years.
Emerging from a three-year makeover with popular cars and trucks, Ford said Monday it earned nearly $1 billion in the third quarter and will be solidly profitable by 2011, a more optimistic forecast than earlier.
While heavy debt and lean times for American car shoppers threaten the comeback, the report puts Ford in a far better position than General Motors or Chrysler, which are still finding their bearings after emerging from bankruptcy.
Ford’s cars are winning popular and critical acclaim, like the Fusion midsize sedan and more gas-efficient Focus compact. And years of painful cost-cutting, which have halved its work force, have looked prophetic since the recession struck, hurting demand.
Even in North America, the company’s biggest market, Ford turned a profit after losing money there for four years.
GM and Chrysler, meanwhile, are still trying to cut jobs and win back customers, many of whom are steering toward their healthier rival.
Three years ago, Ford was considered in the worst shape of the Detroit Three after posting what was at the time the worst annual loss in its history. The big quarterly profit is the fruit of changes Ford has been making for several years…
You can read the entire story HERE …funny it doesn’t mention a single thing about them not taking any government money and what effect THAT might have had on their sales.
Found On Road Dead. Fixed Or Repaired Daily.Forsaking Obama Relief Delicious.
Don’t forget First On Race Day…
Did I mention I always liked Fords?
I was sent this link today about making the Model T:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4KrIMZpwCY
When I got my 2010 Fusion (not the hybrid) in July, the fact that Ford “didn’t take the money” was a deciding factor.
Good for you, Father Ron!
Excellent. My Dad was a Ford man, and the first car I ever bought was a black 2000 Ford Focus. I drove the Chevy Corsica my Mom gave me till it fell apart and when I moved to DC I bought the Focus. That car was solid and good, despite its rep. as a rental.
Nice to see you, Fr. Ron.
Thanks, G-Man. My mother’s health has been taking up a lot of my time lately. Her being able to get in and out of the new car (as opposed to my ‘04 Escape) was another consideration when I got the Fusion.
I hit a deer a month ago, and while the Fusion was in the shop, I had a 2010 Malibu as a loaner. That convinced me that I had made the right decision with getting the Fusion!
Is the deer gon’na pull through?
hehehe
That was funny, Rufus.
You know what bugs me about deer and highways? You can hunt and hunt and those buggers outsmart you. You put em anywhere near a highway and they stare at cars coming at them with this OH LOOK AT THE PRETTY LIGHTS expression. ARGH!
The reason why headlighting became popular during the 1930’s, when people had to survive.
Yeah, or even on a 30mph street. And then the injured animal comes and dies in your yard next to the kids’ sandpile. (Anyone want a bloated antelope? It’s free – you haul.)
We are having a hell of a time trying to find someone to take it away. The subdivision: We don’t have anyone to do that. The game and fish: It’s on private land, so we can’t help. We won’t ticket you for poaching, tho, so thanks for your call. The animal control: You’re out of the city limits.
Thankfully brother-in-law has a truck and is a nice, helpful sort.
Hey you!! Glad to “see” you! I’m sorry to hear about your mom’s health.
When it rains, it pours…
I do appreciate you spending time with your mother. I lost mine a month ago. I was fortunate in that we had spent enough time before hand to make a difficult transition a little easier. Plus my brother, sister, and a close cousin really helped. It’s tough, Father. Age and it’s conwequences is a difficult reality. My thoughts are with you.
Sorry to hear of your loss, G-Man.
Thanks, Rufus. She was 81, had a full life, an excellent mind, but her body slowly gave out. In the end, I have no doubt she was ready to move on. I have a lot of peace with that.
Hugs G-MAN. (G-MAN).
Thanks. Hug greatfully accepted.
Bear hug from here, prayers as well (Fr. Ron, you also). Hope you’re both dealing relatively well with things.
Father Ron, I hope your mother’s health improves!
Hey G-Man, sorry to hear of your loss. Sending you hugs and prayers.
I bought a new Ford Focus last month, after the Czars for Clunkers, err Cars for Clunkers program was mercifully taken behind the barn.
Nice little car, BTW.
I am a Ford girl-simply because I work for them. Yep-June Cleaver works. That is a secret that I don’t tell anyone but since I loved this post and I love Ford I thought I would say “Hell Yeah!”
No… I don’t sell cars.
Hood ornament model?
close…
Floyd wanted me to ask if you are a crash test dummy, but I told him that was rude.
hey… I gotta pay the bills somehow. Actually, I hire the crash test dummies and we are looking for a few more. hint hint.
I know Floyd could use some extra money, but is there a test he’d have to pass? He doesn’t do well on standardized tests.
Fender model?
Fr. Ron and G-MAN, sorry for both your losses. Moms are special people.
As for Ford…I am proud of them, however having owned 4 in my lifetime, I found all 4 to have been junk on wheels. One of them almost led to my death at an early age. That car had a bullseye painted on it. Got hit 4 times within 6 months, the last being a 45 mph head-on with a drunk driving a GMC truck being the hitter and me the hittee!
It’s your magnetic personality, Fritz.
I drive a Kia.
I refuse to drive any automobile where the initials stand for Killed In Action.
Question: How fast does that Mustang Cobra go?
Fast enough
I concur Outlaw.
Owned three Mustangs and a Ford pickup. Still have one of the Mustangs, and I drive a Dodge truck now, but that’s going to be rectified. My wife’s next car will most likely be a Ford Escape or a comparable Ford SUV.
I could go into a myriad of reasons for my Blue Oval devotion, but the fact I could fix nearly any problem under the hood of my 302 Mustang for the cost of an alternator for most other cars is a big part.
Ford have a great line up…if it launched the Edge in europe it would sweep the board.
I find it interesting how you Brits use the plural for companies (“Ford have…”), while we Americans use the singular. I guess we think the statement is about the company and you think its about the employees; “The Ford company has a great line up…” “The Ford employees have a great line up…”
We Americans think of a building you Brits think of a collection of people.
I wouldn’t mind turning the Honda in for an SUV and I did almost talk the boss into a Toyota RAV 4 (Barcelona Red…awesome) however gas being what it is in price I am driving the Honda till its hubcaps come off. But lets say we win a lottery? Oh I will have more than one or two vehicals. I’d find myself a classic Shelby Mustang to…