Surprise--Ford posts a Q2 Profit!

Scouzer

Lifer
Jun 3, 2001
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http://www.autoblog.com/2007/0...r-profit-of-750-milli/

After seven straight quarters of posting losses, Ford has surprised the industry by reporting a net profit of $750 million for the second quarter of 2007. Last year this time the company reported a loss of $317 million. The profit did not come from car sales in North America, as that figure dropped 9 percent in the second quarter, but nearly every other Ford automotive division contributed profit to the company's cause, including PAG, which added a pre-tax profit of $140 million. Other factors that contributed to the profit include Ford Motor Credit kicking in $112 million of profit and the company's continuing effort to reduce its costs, which saved $600 million this quarter.

The profit surprised not only us, but analysts who had predicted another loss and investors on Wall Street, the latter of which have pushed the price of Ford's stock up from $7.97 at Wednesday's close to a spike of around $8.33 this morning. It has since settled down to $8.22/share.

There are big questions looming now that we know Ford is not as bad off as we thought. The first is whether or not this profit is anomaly or if it can be sustained. The sale of Land Rover and Jaguar, as well as Volvo, which Ford confirmed are progressing, should certainly help the bottom line when they happen. The second question is whether the UAW will take advantage of Ford's good news to deny the automaker much needed concessions in its contract negotiations that are occurring as we speak. Only the passing of time will provide answers to these and other questions about Ford's fate, but it's nice to finally see the Blue Oval in the black again.
 

mb

Lifer
Jun 27, 2004
10,233
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I think the 2008 Taurus and possibly the 2008 Focus might help with the North American figures some.

:thumbsup: for Ford
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
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The second question is whether the UAW will take advantage of Ford's good news to deny the automaker much needed concessions in its contract negotiations

I, for one, am willing to put good money on the G-D unions screwing this up. Given the history, it seems a safe bet.

ZV
 

Scouzer

Lifer
Jun 3, 2001
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Originally posted by: mb
I think the 2008 Taurus and possibly the 2008 Focus might help with the North American figures some.

:thumbsup: for Ford

The Ford Edge is really helping Ford as well, even if it isn't the best vehicle. It's a good looker, that's for sure.

I think the next gen Focus, when they bring over the Euro platform, will be a huge boon for Ford.
 

GoatMonkey

Golden Member
Feb 25, 2005
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Ford has enough upcoming interesting new models coming that they may be able to get back on track if the unions don't screw it up.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
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When I fill up my truck at the diesel pump, or parking in no man's land where truck drivers park in parking lots, I've had multiple F250/F350 owners tell me they have a new F250/F350 ordered, and the F150's are always good sellers, you can't throw a rock in Texas without hitting one...

Haven't seen any Edges or Taurus's but have seen quite a few Fusions, particularly from folks that have an employee discount through Ford.
 

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
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Originally posted by: Summitdrinker
I have more faith in ford making a real comeback and being strong than GM doing so

Have you been paying attention to the new cars GM has been coming out with? From the Lambda platform to the new CTS, GM's are putting out some really nice cars. I can honestly say the new CTS is the first time in my life I've ever actually thought I could ever possibly own a Cadillac. The upcoming Pontiac G8 is going to be fantastic and the press has had a lot of praise for the quality of the latest Saturn Vue. GM is well on its way of righting its wrongs.
 

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
Originally posted by: Scouzer
Originally posted by: mb
I think the 2008 Taurus and possibly the 2008 Focus might help with the North American figures some.

:thumbsup: for Ford

The Ford Edge is really helping Ford as well, even if it isn't the best vehicle. It's a good looker, that's for sure.

I think the next gen Focus, when they bring over the Euro platform, will be a huge boon for Ford.

They need to bring over the Euro Focus and Mondeo...both are fantastic cars that I wish were options in the US...I'd be very interested.
 

desy

Diamond Member
Jan 13, 2000
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They also need a sub compact or a value edition Focus to be in that market
 

exdeath

Lifer
Jan 29, 2004
13,679
10
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Now that the 4.6/5.4 has matured and a 281 cid can compete with a 346 cid, how about a 5.8L (351) and 7.0L (427) DOHC modular so the GM guys don't have a displacement advantage anymore :) I'd buy a 427 cid DOHC modular to stick in my Cobra on twin 67s in a heartbeat!
 

GoatMonkey

Golden Member
Feb 25, 2005
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Originally posted by: exdeath
Now that the 4.6/5.4 has matured and a 281 cid can compete with a 346 cid, how about a 5.8L (351) and 7.0L (427) DOHC modular so the GM guys don't have a displacement advantage anymore :) I'd buy a 427 cid DOHC modular to stick in my Cobra on twin 67s in a heartbeat!

There's been a lot of talk that there will be a modular 5.0 in the 2010 Mustang, and a twin turbo variation also.
 

foghorn67

Lifer
Jan 3, 2006
11,883
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91
I have hopes for GM and Ford. I dunno about Chrysler as of late.
Oh yeah, Alan Mullally ftw.
 

senseamp

Lifer
Feb 5, 2006
35,787
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Ford should bring the Euro Focus hatchback as the premium performance version here, and keep the Sedan and Coupe as the volume US built models.
Kind of like Honda did with last gen Civic . Mondeo could probably make a good Mercury product, though too much overlap with the Fusion, IMO. But it could work as a TSX competitor.


 

Summitdrinker

Golden Member
May 10, 2004
1,193
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Originally posted by: PricklyPete
Originally posted by: Summitdrinker
I have more faith in ford making a real comeback and being strong than GM doing so

Have you been paying attention to the new cars GM has been coming out with? From the Lambda platform to the new CTS, GM's are putting out some really nice cars. I can honestly say the new CTS is the first time in my life I've ever actually thought I could ever possibly own a Cadillac. The upcoming Pontiac G8 is going to be fantastic and the press has had a lot of praise for the quality of the latest Saturn Vue. GM is well on its way of righting its wrongs.

ya I know GM has improved there product, but.........................what about there management...................................???????????????
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,374
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Originally posted by: senseamp
Ford should bring the Euro Focus hatchback as the premium performance version here, and keep the Sedan and Coupe as the volume US built models.
Kind of like Honda did with last gen Civic . Mondeo could probably make a good Mercury product, though too much overlap with the Fusion, IMO. But it could work as a TSX competitor.

i don't think that overlap is too much of a problem. the milan is sold on the same lots as the lincoln mkz (why isn't it mark z rather than em kay zee?)


the other thing they need to do with mercury is bring back the cougar as a mustang with a luxury interior.
 

senseamp

Lifer
Feb 5, 2006
35,787
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It would be better if they brought a Mazda RX-8 based car sans the rotary as the Mercury Cougar. That would definitely put Mercury on my list.
 

Strk

Lifer
Nov 23, 2003
10,197
4
76
Originally posted by: desy
They also need a sub compact or a value edition Focus to be in that market

I've heard they want to bring the Fiesta over. Top Gear loves the little ah heck too.
 

LordMorpheus

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2002
6,871
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I've only owned Fords (three of them in my short life) and I loved 2 of the three.

First was a '91 Sable, I loved it but that was probably only because it was my first car.
Second was a '01 Taurus. Not a huge fan, but I only drove it for the summer.
Third is my current '97 Town Car. Couldn't be happier with it.

cheers for ford.
 

RU482

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
12,689
3
81
they will quietly announce that they "readjusted" the numbers a few months from now

/just wait and see
 

Stunt

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2002
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They just recently mortgaged all of their factories in the US; it was the largest mortgage in US history.

Hopefully they pay down their enormous debt.
 

charrison

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
17,033
1
81
Originally posted by: exdeath
Now that the 4.6/5.4 has matured and a 281 cid can compete with a 346 cid, how about a 5.8L (351) and 7.0L (427) DOHC modular so the GM guys don't have a displacement advantage anymore :) I'd buy a 427 cid DOHC modular to stick in my Cobra on twin 67s in a heartbeat!

They have a 6.2L in the works for 2009 models.
 

charrison

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
17,033
1
81
Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
When I fill up my truck at the diesel pump, or parking in no man's land where truck drivers park in parking lots, I've had multiple F250/F350 owners tell me they have a new F250/F350 ordered, and the F150's are always good sellers, you can't throw a rock in Texas without hitting one...

Haven't seen any Edges or Taurus's but have seen quite a few Fusions, particularly from folks that have an employee discount through Ford.

THe edge overtook the murano as the top selling CUV. I am seeing quite a few of them on the streets here.
 

foghorn67

Lifer
Jan 3, 2006
11,883
63
91
It's hard to judge sales numbers by what you see. I have seen more Fusions than new Camry's on the road. But despite the success of the Fusion, the Camry is still the hotter seller.