Ford Motor Co. posts $100M profit
April 26, 2008 by George Skentzos
Ford Motor Co. has today announced its first quarter earnings, posting net income of $100 million on total revenue of $43.5 billion, this is compared to a net loss of $282 million on revenue of $43.0 billion during the same period a year ago.
The news has seen Ford stock soar, closing the day up 88 cents, or 11.7 percent, to $8.40 a share.
This profit comes despite the company posting a pre-tax loss of $45 million in North America, compared with a loss of $613 million a year ago.
Overseas results have improved dramatically, amounting to a pre-tax profit of $739 million in Europe on revenue of $10.2 billion – these results do not include Jaguar and Land Rover which Ford has since sold to Tata Motors Ltd.
South America has also closed the first quarter with a pre-tax profit of $257 million, up from $113 million a year ago.
“In the past several years, we have substantially restructured these businesses. We believe this is an indication that our efforts to leverage Ford’s global assets across the world will bear fruit. Going forward, we remain committed to our key business objectives, including our goal of reaching North America and overall Automotive profitability in 2009 despite the challenging economic conditions.” Ford CEO Alan Mulally.
Unfortunately for Ford, not all its overseas interests are booming, with Volvo posting a pre-tax loss of $151 million, compared with a profit of $94 million a year ago.
Ford said Volvo was hurt by lower sales and changes in currency exchange rates, partially offset by cost reductions.
Ford, which posted losses of $2.7 billion in 2007 and $12.6 billion in 2006, expects the rest of 2008 to be challenging, cutting its full-year North American outlook for sales, but said it remains committed to its goal of returning North America and its whole auto business to profitability in 2009.
Print it: 
Duck – that is the TRD Aurion, the one that beat the Holden CV8 in Targa Tasmania… oooch !!
OZ…..why easy answer. Cause most on here say Camry and Aurion boring. The cars on USA website or more boring.
ANDREW M…..what Iam saying is USA is prob pinnacle market. As Dearborn set agenda, they say ya or nay on platforms, car designs and influence car designs around the globe. Go read one of current mags that talks of mismatching cars from one area that dont tie in with another and read Mullaly’s comments which mirror what I have said for ages on design.
Trouble is you are so jaded and tad twisted and caught up in yourselves to see reality. OZ….my comment has nothing to do with driving a USA Ford as that is irrelevant. Whats relevant is first impression and on that note USA Ford’s are bland as watching paint dry and make Aurion look hot as! And yet you both argue back and miss point or question whatever….LOL
typo….USA website are more boring!
Lets hope its one of Rios ,Im sure they would be interested to find out what sort of low life they have working for them,let alone the guys in the wet mess that would love to thump him,I bet he wouldn’t have the balls to say what he said to me Friday night in front of them.He really is a just a key board bully!
LOL……………………Rio. Who cares and who wants to know. You are shadow sparring yourself fool!
It is very very easy to change your IP address, you dont have to change computers… It might take a minute or two at the most, so banning anyone that way is pointless.
And honestly, with the sh*t that comes from NM, Oz, Dingo, “Think Again” and many, many more, the site would be much better without the comments.
Might want to read your own posts too NM
well done Ford for turning things around and at least anouncing a profit. People on this blog and especially TP and his mates have no idea on anything automotive or business. Like life in general any business has peaks and troughs. Remember not so long ago Holden were out of business in Australia until GM bailed them out with a billion dollars. Ford have been down but its not all their fault.i am sure they didnt see the oil prices surging so dramatically just like everyone didnt see it. They will fight back.
Good to see hard work and good looking models rewarded because Ford lost it’s way a few years back but it appears to be back on track everywhere but in the US……this will probably be my last post on this web site because I’m being censored for comments that don’t contain anything offencive and am tired of writing for nothing ….so bye bye and good luck with all the censorship thing but it’s gotten too boring for me !!!!!
my comment where i said but, but, but, and then laughed my head off, was in reply to BM’s comment which was removed for some reason?????
she said i was gonna go back to the show today and get some info BUT, etc etc etc
it was a half smart reply to hers
NM,
have you taken a look at the GM US, and Toyota US sites?
it aint much better there either unless you like a cadillac with rodeo headlights and many other bland design cues through out their entire range.
im not trying to deny that ford US has some pretty ordinary stock that they sell, i have totally agreed with you. i just dont see how you can sit there and tar the much better UK and AUS lineups with the same brush.
its like you are holding it against ford AUS/UK because ford US has bland automobiles
the trouble is you are wearing over sized granny knickers that are sooooo knotted up that you are becoming sensitive about a problem in australia that doesnt exist.
gee mate, settle down, pick that wedgie, and then once your granny knickers arent knotted, you will stop over reacting.
On another note congrats to Ford in the US for its 9 millionth Stang .Here is what Autoblog said
“The Mustang passed yet another landmark less than a week after its 44th anniversary on April 17 when production reached nine million units. The milestone Mustang, a GT Convertible, went to a dealership in Iowa for delivery to its lucky customer. As Ford’s longest running nameplate, the Mustang had one of the best starts of any production car with over 22,000 sold on the first day and more than one million sold in the first two years. It’s had its ups and down over the past 40+ years, but it’s safe to say that the Mustang has enjoyed an upswing in popularity since its retro-restyle a few years back.” end quote!
Gee I wish Ford Australia would take a leaf out of the Yanks books and do something similar!Give us something Retro, Aussie dollar is strong I know but what about making something for Ford US here in Australia {like GM are doing with the Camaro here in OZ}reinventing another Retro Ford label in the US selling it back to the Yanks and re-badging it here in Australia as a GT we really want! Maybe even a Coupe finally! Oh a girl can dream……
BM, Totally agree that Ford OZ needs to do a good retro muscle car or something similar!!!
and also agree that Friday comments were disgusting and unacceptable…..hopefully everyone can settle down and stop ruining what should be some fun for all of us!!!
OK got to for tonight but your such a sweetheart i might hang around for a few more days to see if things settle down and we can go back to ribbing each other without offending….cya Babe
ANDREW M,
It appears your Ford hat is superglued firmly on. If your happy with where Ford is; then you live in a fools paradise by claiming it comes down to marketting = your not as smart without your Ford hat off! So maybe get off saying Toyota’s like Camry are bland and boring as your yardstick your using is wedgy-ing you quite well with a focussed on one car mentality.
Wheelnut……Not only is your girl a sweetheart but from some of her comments she is also crazy about you!!!
OK……..Now I’ve really got to go for tonight coz I’m running really late!!!!!
LOL ANDREW M…..yeah Toyota US and Holden US are miles in front of Ford for style and look. Hell the Matrix Toyota shytes all over Ford Fusion and the Avalon is ahead on style of Ford offerings. Nearly the same with GM. Obviously you are happy with Ford being where it is…. and style is with Toyota and Holden more. Seems like you are doing a cool job of wedgy-ing yourself to believe what you want to believe. That is Ford’s designs are just down to marketting and other things’ and nothing to do with ugly cars. So next time I hear you say Camry / Aurion are ugly I will remind you the twice as ugly boring cars in the Ford US market you try to uphold.
BM, import it or get a copy of unique cars and theres plenty of current model stangs, 500’s people selling
I dont think Ford will waste money (given they are floating on the redline already) by stocking retro muscle cars only to clash with their muscle Falcon counterparts.
Antispam word Falcon {ok}…………Carl,your sooooooooooooooo right,I hate calling him by his blog name{Wheelnut}he has been the man that has saved me,my rock,my hero the man that means the life anchor.He comes across as on this site as the knowledgeable but quiet type,but he is the softness of men,the most understanding yet stand-up hero I have ever experienced,not to mention the funniest person I have EVER met.Im the luckiest woman on Earth to have him in my life,and 6 months ago never thought I would have this happiness! I maybe his goddess,but hes my saviour! Yep hes asked me to marry him so you can imagine what Ive said!,imagine waking from a nightmare to a dream you won’t want to escape,Im there!Hes sooooooooooo special!
Oh and Joober,what I was trying to say FORD Aus need something new………I advertise in Unique Cars so I know what it provides,sometimes you have to hang your arse out there to see what you get!
ANDREW M says “im not trying to deny that ford US has some pretty ordinary stock that they sell, i have totally agreed with you. i just dont see how you can sit there and tar the much better UK and AUS lineups with the same brush.
its like you are holding it against ford AUS/UK because ford US has bland automobiles”
NM RESPONSE….What Iam saying is Ford have good stock, but HQ in Dearborn still hand tie rest of world with rules and regulations and design philosophy too much! It has taken ages and ages (many many years) for UK, Sth Africa to get good stock and cool designs. My point is Hyundai have updated excessively, Holden has to lesser extent and Ford has sat idle! Take out the great work on Verve, Kuga, Iosis, Fiesta and there is next to nothing new! That to me says HQ is stubborn and regimental!
Good to hear Ford moving forwards again. I agree with some comments on here the GT needs to be the pinnacle muscle car for Ford again. Otherwise ditch the V8’s and use the F6 or XR6T as the current Ford OZ hero cars. Poor marketing on Fords part to have the XR8 being walloped by the XR6T. What are you thinking Ford!
Agree Westy, Both cars are comparable in power and seems like the turbo sixes are getting better times too, even tho its clear to say, there will be people who just love the roar and feeling of a v8 car, the xr8 being the ‘budgeto’ alternative to the FPV range at least gives something to those who cannot pull up enough for a GT
Joober,
Yes my sentiments exactly. The only way people will own and XR8 is if
a) they can’t afford a GT (but then there is the F6 and I reckon it will make the GT look like a tortoise)
or
b) as you say they just like the sound of a V8.
If I was in the market for a V8 sporty car from Ford I would expect it to be easily as quick as a 6pot. In this case though the XR8 is a sloth and that is bad bad marketing from Ford. As all reviews I have read so far say it just doesn’t pull like the XR6T. Once it winds up it goes ok but just bogs down getting away. If I had 46K to spend I would go the XR6T as it will give HSV’s a run.
I think it was Drive that I read Ford are/were thinking of ditching the V8 ,again !!!!!! As pathetic as it is in the GT currently I don’t think getting rid of the V8 again is such a good idea,Ford need to fill that want that GT owners need although it needs to be something worth dropping in the engine bay of Australia’s epitome Muscle Car name, the famous GT. But I guess if we don’t get the 5.0ltr that their currently contemplating along with some forced induction attached then the GT will be axed too. Rod Barrett needs to have a long chat to Bill Osborne and what we as enthusiasts demand, I mean whats the point of FPV building their name to end up with a line-up of V6s and diesels in 2010,how much of a Hero car will that look like !Gee you may as well give us FWD too……..hehehe
i had an FG on order but have ditched it in favour of a chrysler, it is a pathetic attempt by ford and FPV to build a V8 muscle car, but thats what happens when you put poms ( prodrive) in charge of something they know nothing of or dont want to know!
So we picked the 300 up yet Tonyn ? Is it fighting with the GT in the Garage ? Hope your weekend improved babe!
NM,
i think you knickers are that knotted that your wedgie has reached the “atomic” stage and hence your vision is being distorted to a degree where you seem to not be able to read properly what im saying.
i mean you had like 4 posts in a row and on the last one it seems you slightly got my point.
i wouldn’t take any US styled vehicle as they are all designed with a set square.
so apart from the kuga, verve, iosis, fiesta, mondeo, etc etc etc the rest of the range is crap?
well what the hell else is there in the range.
that description includes light car, small car, medium car, large car (new falcon has great gear in it too), medium SUV, SUV (when territory gets face lift)
what else do you want?
too bad for ford US if they dont want to accept the better offerings that ford AUS and UK are throwing back and forward.
i see what you are getting at, but there is no point in discussing ford US because i dont have shares in them. yes it would be great for ford if those tools over there werent soooo stubborn in accepting the better gear that is else where in their stables, but get over it.
just to reiterate and ill put it in bold because i know your wedgie must be really starting to pull your eye lids down……….
I AGREE WITH YOU THAT FORD US STOCK IS VERY BLAND.
what is your proposal of what should happen?
i say Ford US should take it on the chest like a man and accept the better products that are else where in the stables?
do you agree or disagree with that statement?
ANDREW M,
Gee your a hard dude….dude.
Andrew – the focus is also a great little car, pity though what the yanks have done to its exterior and interior. Foul. They certainly know how to coc k a car up.
He sounds like hes had a hard day NM………your right though a tad harsh I thought too!
Sorry never finished last post….your obtuse as.
I think Alan Mullaly should say….well better products are coming outta Europe, Australia and UK and get the cane out in Dearborn and say “OK we gotta change the perception of our designs here as we have some cars that are average and not selling in great numbers”. I would then kick arse to make sure we get Euro inspired designs and not boxed up rubbish that Dearborn has spoon fed onto US market. Alan should also say “Why have we got the Fusion in US which flies in face of other small offerings and we got to fast track the Kuga, Verve, Iosis, (ANDREW M…..you will get my point as there is no etc etc etc like you try to tell me on new models). I think US should put the heavies over here and truly get Aussie market up to speed as nothing has happened of major note since Osbourne there. Like were the hell is the Mondeo wagon…..hmmmm. Ford muck around taking ages to do these decisions whilst Toyota, Hyundai/Kia and Holden overtake Ford. I think you need to truly wake up and not personal attack me and face it as Ford being overtaken!
We go to US market…..what the hell is Fusion doing in range and Fiesta does not remotely follow any styling cue! Are you happy with that cause Iam not and so you should be same!
I have had a look at Toyota and GM USA websites….it just reinforces why Ford is lagging crytal clear and I suggest you defog your glasses!
NM,
dont take my insults personally.
sorry if you took offence but i thought your were good for a little slinging of mud.
my phrasing or your ways was all in good fun.
being from the same back ground of employment as i am, i would have thought you would have been to pay out on your self and others with out taking it so deeply.
the undies comments were all in good fun.
perhaps when i do that next time, i should end the sentence with one of these :)
any way………
the way i see it is that i agree with you 100% in the way your last post phrased your ideas
ill say it again…….
i say Ford US should take it on the chest like a man and accept the better products that are else where in the stables?
do you agree or disagree with that statement?
for part of your posts on the topic i felt that you were saying that the designs from the US are going to rub off on Ford OZ
ford OZ has comitted to the Kinetic way of designing, so i dont think the bland american ways are going to head here.
also like i have said many times on many different posts, i also feel that they should pull the finger out and get the kuga etc here
once again do you agree with this yes or no?
i say Ford US should take it on the chest like a man and accept the better products that are else where in the stables
ANDREW M,
Dude, it was the knickers comment that was bit over top I thought.
All cool mate!
Hell yes I agree Ford US should cop it on chin and accept that better products elsewhere….trouble is Dearborn has been stubborn, regimental and not listening! Since 1998 I would say it has been like this! I have read that Ford want to assess market when Kuga, Iosis, etc is released in other markets and assess then to bring here…..I liken this to a public servant approach or Yes Minister mentality. To me it aint good enough!
ah come on mate,
i thought the knickers in a knot comment was clever.
through out that whole discussion it didnt seem to me like you were even reading what i had posted.
i would post things and say yep i agree with you, and then you would carry on like i was trying to make out the US range is stunning and we should all lobby for it to come here.
at one point i was banging my head on the desk when i would post things like this………
“yes the US need to pick their act up as they are by far the weakest link in the ford chain. every other branch is well above par.
as i said it is ford US that is undoing the great work coming from the UK, AUS and Sth African facilities
yes i would be great if the US could see past their own stubborness and take on the falcon platform, but as long as we have the falcon where i can buy it (right here in OZ) im not going to go on a big mission.”
and you would reply with stuff like this………….
“It appears your Ford hat is superglued firmly on.”
“Trouble is you are so jaded and tad twisted and caught up in yourselves to see reality.”
and you have said all that at the same time posting identical stuff to what my opinion is like this……..
“I think US should put the heavies over here and truly get Aussie market up to speed as nothing has happened of major note since Osbourne there.”
Its a simple case of…..”Well gee it has not been runaway sucess in US and we got to rethink here and now our strategy on the Ford family globally. I say we have to make sure our checklists, suspensions and mechanicals and design parameters are fully followed and we release some exciting new cars. Not next year, or the year after….but start soon as possible. But its change we need and fresh vibrant style fit for todays driver. If we nail the issues now and pour over and over every conceivable issue from A through to Z then we return to where Ford once was”
If Ford do not do this then they will be overtaken at warp speed. Mr Osbourne needs to be more philosophical and stronger in regards to getting our share and getting Dearborn to brake the shackles of US control across other global markets! There is some seriously exciting stuff coming…………and not from USA! Get jiggy with it FORD USA! Dam regimental, stubborn, old school dills!
Andrew M…..ummm yes ok. I read some posts of yours so there! I scan over other stories too! Sorry dude. We are sorta in sync! I guess I never got invited to 2020 Summit and knotted knickers….LOL
You two talking pants as usual.. Ha Ha. sorry couoldn;t help it.
Refer Andrew M’s comment. So gave him a chuckle!
until yesterday i thought the 20 20 summit was the indian 20 20 league. ha ha ha ha ha ha
silly me i got scammed actually paying for 2020 summit tickets thinking i was gonna see Gilly smack some balls around ha ha ha ha ha
dare i say it but the one part i dont agree with you on is that toyota and Holden are getting better models here quicker than ford.
i mean where is toyotas diesel passenger vehicle? there are plenty around elsewhere in the world. and what about toyotas AWD corolla?
and then there is Holden……..
you cant sit there and tell me that holden getting daewoos here quick smart is a great move for the future
ooopps sorry, i forgot to put this thing at the end :)
Another area Toyota missing out on is Wagon and sport cars (not sporty saloons). Wagons are completely off the list in australia (We do have the Avenis here) unless you want a thirsty 4WD. Same goes for Holden new VE sportwagon excepted.
Andrew M…
Shock horror….The Captiva disproves that theory as glowing reviews and sells in droves. Short term, models you refer to are negative yes….long term they will nail car manufacture there and Captiva is evidence of this!
NM,
but from what ive read, its only the top of the range captiva that seems to disprove that theory. apparently from what ive learnt it isnt made along side the lower spec models.
there is also the complaints list on this website that raises concearns over incorrectly diplayed fuel figures right through to worrying noises.
yes i also agree that the daewoo rebadging concept will get better but that too will not happen over night.
i can see fords u beaut line up coming before someone with guts in GM puts a better plan forward to get rid of the poor status of the epica, barina etc.
Thanks no name,
i also forgot the wagon range that toyota dont offer here, yet is offered else where in the world
Bear in mind your Avensis down under is not the same as ours. You ‘Avensis’ here is called the ‘Corolla Versio’. Confused,… you will be.
I think we even get a Corolla (Auris) Wagon here!!
Andrew M – Holens new CEO Mr mark Reuss [who I believe camefrom Opel] has made re-introducing a range of Opels including the Vectra and the Corsa back into Australia and getting rid of the Dawooos – except for the Captiva.
Because he has noticed that the huge discounts dealers are having to offer inorder to move excess slow selling stock is eating into the savings that Denny “The Moron” Mooney thought they could make by initiating such a plan
The idea was doomed from the start because when Mooney was the CEO at Pontiac he believed the Sigma was perfect platform for the Commodore yet now the VE is replacing the Sigma as the G8.. which gives you an indication as to how good his judgement is
Wheelnut,
just to make it clear, i wasnt trying to fry holden about the daewoos, i used them in a comparitive point.
i think the corporate and economical idea of trying to utilise daewoo was a good one, but unfortunatly those that make these decisions make it from the office and not the factory foor to be able to truely evaluate the situation.
if daewoo were at the same stage as what their korean cousin hyundai is at, then it would have been good for holden.
unfortunately holden tapped into daewoo whilst they are only at the stage hyundai was 10 years ago.
has the switch back to opels been confirmed?
i know the new CEO has said he wants to switch back to the better gear, but i half feel that descision is over his head considering the investment that has been put into daewoo.
daewoo will come good, but i dont see it happening for 2 more generations.
The decision hasn’t been confirmed as yet but its expected to be within the next couple of months,.. particularly considering HSV want to import the new Vectra and Corsa [Opel GT?] to add a 6s and 4s to their range
I wouldn’t bet anything on GMH going back to Europe for their small cars. GM HQ will make the decision, and guess what region GM had its biggest profit growth? Yep out of Korea.
Very well getting the Euor superior product but it comes at a higher cost than the Korean equivilent. Is the average Auatralian going to pay a small premium for the Euor car..mmmm doubt it somehow, but time will tell.