http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/02/news/companies/ford_results/index.htm?postversion=2009110207

Ford Motor reported a surprise profit for the third quarter Monday, helped by a bump in sales from the Cash for Clunkers program, a reduced cost structure and problems at its U.S. rivals.

The only major U.S. automaker not to file for bankruptcy this year earned earned $997 million, or 29 cents a share, compared to a loss of $161 million, or 7 cents a share on that basis a year earlier.

Excluding special items, Ford reported a profit of $873 million, or 26 cents a share, in the period. Analysts had been forecasting a loss of 12 cents a share for the quarter on this basis. Ford said it was the first pre-tax operating profit since the start of 2008.

The company said cost cutting during the past year and an improved outlook for sales leads it to believe Ford will be "solidly profitable" in 2011, excluding special items.

That's the most bullish outlook Ford has offered investors since it started losing money in 2005. The company had previously said it was looking for break-even or better results that year.

Especially good news if you contrast that with their ~3 billion loss during the same period last year.

I wonder how much of that is a temporary illusion due to Cash for Clunkers? Still great news though. I've definitely been pulling for Ford ever since they avoided bailout money and bankruptcy.

Note that the employees have rejected the proposed wage/benefits package, with only four of the plants voting to accept it; a package that would have allowed Ford to cut labor costs would have aided them in trying to become profitable again. While the UAW and Ford had agreed on the contract changes, the workers needed to ratify voted overwhelmingly to reject.

The St Paul plant, Wayne, MI, Cleveland and Indianapolis were the only four locals to vote in favor.

Hard to say how much longer they will be able to maintain their independence of bailout money without many more quarters like the last.

Keep in mind they are still sitting on $21 billion to ride this out with. I think they've got a decent chance if they keep up the improvements, realigning toward efficient cars, etc.

Yay! I helped by buying an expedition last dec :)

i own a 2008 Ford.. couldnt be happier.

But C4C was a good idea no what San. As I often hear from business people "Inventory is the enemy". C4C cleared a lot of stagnant inventory out. That keeps things moving and buys more time than just a 1/4.

Good for them!

Now its time to see how they handle the small car problem AKA: How can Ford build the same car as every other car maker WORLDWIDE is seeking and yet make it their own, unique solution? Quite a challenge considering Ford has a great small car but it doesn't pass US insurance crash test standards so now they have to come up with something else or get the Focus globally rated. At least with SUVs the Americas had their own unique car market and it made the Big Three good money. Now that the SUV has run its course, the Big Two are left figuring out that their market is the world and it doesn't pay to make a US only centric vehicle. US car makers have to do better than finding a clone of the Prius(may that car burn in Hell), Civic or GTI/Golf and beating the up and coming Asian Ant Farm (India, China, Korea) countries at it as well.

I think as long as they continue to make good quality cars that people want they should have no problem. Reliability has long been an issue with Ford. Glad to see things getting better.

Now its time to see how they handle the small car problem AKA: How can Ford build the same car as every other car maker WORLDWIDE is seeking and yet make it their own, unique solution? Quite a challenge considering Ford has a great small car but it doesn't pass US insurance crash test standards so now they have to come up with something else or get the Focus globally rated. At least with SUVs the Americas had their own unique car market and it made the Big Three good money. Now that the SUV has run its course, the Big Two are left figuring out that their market is the world and it doesn't pay to make a US only centric vehicle. US car makers have to do better than finding a clone of the Prius(may that car burn in Hell), Civic or GTI/Golf and beating the up and coming Asian Ant Farm (India, China, Korea) countries at it as well.

The new Fiesta is apparently the #2 best-selling car in Europe right now and just had its best sales month ever in China in September.

Other interesting tidbits in their 8-K from last quarter: http://money.cnn.com/quote/sec/sec.filings.html?symb=F&sequenceid=1&guid=6863802