new ford engine options for 2008.

the rumor mill has addressed that also. it somes down to cost and perception.

the 4.6 4v is considered old. long in the tooth. time for new direction.

not my words. but for real it's hard to have a good reputation when it requires a blower to compete.

my understanding is n/a cube for cube shootout.


the fact is, a blown 4.6 does not capture the imagination the way 6.1L HEMI or 6.1L Small Block does.

anyway the 6.1L LSX heads flow 330cfm. the hemis are not far behind. even blown 4.6 is short on power compared to them. i know the reality, but your average dumbo has no idea what reality is.

i would take a light weight terminator over any of them.

be advised, if chevy does in fact use the caddy chasis for the camaro it's going to be fairly light with a 6.1L LSX. at least compared to the gt500.

i'm just being the devil's advocate.

i fully comprehend how ford makes it's money.

they do not make it with july sales down 34%.

staus quo will kill ford from north america. brazil and europe are doing fine. so before we just assume things are good, you need to look further.

i'm not an archair analyst. i spend many hours researching market conditions, and add my own opinion on the solution. ford got itself into this mess with J Nasser. it started with the Focus factory debaucle and continues to today with models that lack exitement and quality. i fell they are improving things, but it will take time. these new powertrains discussed to include 3.5L 265hp dohc V6, 4.xL turbodiesel, 5.5/6.2L BOSS / HURRICANE, etc.

in the end N/A hp has the limelight, while economical v6's make the dollars.

the level of expense required to manufacture increases with the level of technology of the drivetrain. the 3v ford is an excellent example. (lower cost than 4v, higher than 2v)

i read the question a japanese analyst asked Honda..."does the accord require a 255hp v6". the answer was 'no'. it still has it.

the ford 500 has a 200hp 3.0 v6. it gets fair economy, and lacks sufficient power for a car slotted as a 'full size' car . ford has an answer for their v6 cars... 265hp.

i will probably buy a 500 soon. i love the interior. luckily i have the stang for power.

Jackie Chan said:

Do you understand where that 37% comes from?? You are comparing normal numbers to family plan bs.

Click to expand...

of course i know.

DEARBORN, Mich., July 20, 2006 - Ford Motor Credit Company reported net income of $441 million in the second quarter of 2006, down $299 million from earnings of $740 million a year earlier. On a pre-tax basis from continuing operations, Ford Motor Credit earned $656 million in the second quarter, compared with $1.2 billion in the previous year. The decrease in earnings primarily reflected higher borrowing costs, the impact of lower average receivable levels, lower credit loss reserve reductions and higher depreciation expense.

revenue ignores those plans. losses or profites are what keep a company alive.

The following statement is from Allan Gilmour, vice chairman and chief financial officer, Ford Motor Company:
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 25, 2002 – “This change in Ford Motor Company’s credit rating does not reflect the fundamental strength of our business. Our Revitalization Plan is on track.

“On the automotive side, we have strong liquidity with nearly $26 billion in gross cash, less than $1 billion in debt coming due within five years, and a manageable pension liability with no mandatory contributions due before 2006.

“Actions by Ford Credit to reduce assets are ahead of targets and its profit performance continues to improve. Ford Credit has reduced its leverage while paying a dividend to the parent company, and liquidity and funding flexibility remain very strong.

“Earnings continue to exceed expectations. Our U.S. market share has stabilized and, importantly, our retail share is up. And we have accelerated our cost reduction efforts to eliminate waste and enhance efficiency throughout the business.”


their expectations are not very high are they?



DEARBORN, Mich., July 3 – Ford Motor Company's U.S. sales totaled 269,404, down 7 percent. Car sales were up 7 percent, but truck sales were down 14 percent.


In the first six months of 2006, Ford's U.S. sales totaled 1.55 million, down 4 percent. Car sales were up 5 percent and truck sales were down 9 percent.


"Our performance in the car market is cause for optimism," said Al Giombetti, president, Ford and Lincoln Mercury marketing and sales, "because it shows we can win in the industry's most competitive segment."


Ford's domestic brands (Ford, Lincoln and Mercury) have achieved higher car sales in five of the last six months.


Demand for Ford's all-new mid-size sedans (Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln Zephyr) remained strong with combined June sales of 19,149. In the last three months, sales for this trio averaged 19,655 a month.


Higher gas prices are contributing to lower truck sales, particularly in the large SUV and pickup categories. Traditional truck-based SUVs have declined industry-wide for four years in a row, but the decline in large pickups is a relatively recent phenomenon.


"After the sharp run-up in gasoline prices in April, some truck buyers delayed purchases," noted Giombetti. "Truck buyers are not as likely as SUV buyers to leave the segment, but some buyers are deferring purchases to balance higher monthly payments and higher fuel costs."


Ford's F-Series truck, America's best-selling vehicle, posted June sales of 65,452, down 10 percent compared with a year ago.

In the first six months of 2006, F-Series sales totaled 400,177, down 2 percent from the same period a year ago.

Nonetheless, Ford has outperformed the industry in the full-size pickup segment having increased its share of segment by over two percentage points.


Ford's best selling SUV experienced larger declines. Explorer sales were off 36 percent in June and Expedition sales were off 46 percent.


Ford 226,250 243,678 -7.2 1,292,629 1,347,220 -4.1

Mercury 16,670 16,395 1.7 101,249 104,914 -3.5

Lincoln 9,610 10,808 -11.1 64,028 62,475 2.5

Jaguar 2,160 2,888 -25.2 11,649 17,162 -32.1

Volvo 10,867 12,266 -11.4 59,092 65,941 -10.4

Land Rover 3,847 3,414 12.7 22,863 17,871 27.9

Total Ford Motor Company 269,404 289,449 -6.9 1,551,510 1,615,583 -4.0





RETAIL SALES FOR FORD'S NEW MID-SIZE SEDANS CLIMB 18 PERCENT IN JULY; FORD POSTS SECOND BEST RETAIL MONTH IN 2006
(August 01, 2006)

FORD OF CANADA CAR SALES CLIMB 31%, MUSTANG LEADS THE RACE
(August 01, 2006)

MAZDA SALES UP FIVE PERCENT IN JULY
(August 01, 2006)



- Net loss of 7 cents per share, or $123 million, for the second quarter of 2006.


release overview

DEARBORN, Mich. (PRNewswire) -
DEARBORN, Mich., July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ford Motor Company today reported a net loss of 7 cents per share, or $123 million, for the second quarter of 2006. This compares with net income of 47 cents per share, or $946 million, in the second quarter of 2005.
7 cent/share loss vs. 47 cent/share net income


Ford's second-quarter loss from continuing operations, excluding special items, was 3 cents per share, or $48 million, compared with a profit of 47 cents per share, or $936 million, in the same period a year ago.

Ford's second-quarter total sales and revenue was $42 billion, down $2.5 billion from a year ago.


"We've seen an improvement in North America results in the second quarter, but the external factors we face aren't going to get any easier," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Ford. "Mark Fields (executive vice president and president - The Americas) and his team have been working on plans to accelerate their efforts. Within the next 60 days, we'll be in a position to discuss the additional actions we will be taking."


AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR

On a pre-tax basis, worldwide Automotive sector losses in the second quarter were $808 million. This compares with a pre-tax loss of $245 million during the same period a year ago.

Worldwide automotive sales for the second quarter declined to $37.7 billion from $38.7 billion in the same period last year. Worldwide vehicle unit sales in the quarter were 1,732,000, up from 1,718,000 a year ago.

Total cash, including cash equivalents, marketable securities and loaned securities, at June 30, 2006 was $23.6 billion, down from $23.7 billion at the end of the first quarter.

THE AMERICAS

For the second quarter, The Americas reported a pre-tax loss of $702 million, compared with a pre-tax loss of $819 million in the same period a year ago.

North America: In the second quarter, Ford's North America automotive operations reported a pre-tax loss of $797 million, compared with a pre-tax loss of $907 million a year ago. The improvement is more than explained by cost reductions in most areas of the business, partially offset by a mix shift from trucks to passenger cars, higher incentives and adverse foreign currency exchange. Sales were $19.2 billion, down from $19.9 billion for the same period a year ago.

South America: Ford's South America automotive operations reported a second-quarter pre-tax profit of $95 million, an improvement from a pre-tax profit of $88 million a year ago. The improvement was more than explained by higher industry volume. Sales for the second quarter improved to $1.3 billion from $1 billion in 2005.

INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

In the second quarter, International Operations reported a pre-tax loss of $21 million, compared with a pre-tax profit of $176 million in second quarter 2005.

FORD EUROPE AND PREMIER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (PAG)

The combined second-quarter pre-tax loss for Ford Europe and PAG automotive operations was $57 million, compared with a pre-tax profit of $83 million in the same period a year ago.

Ford Europe: Ford Europe's second-quarter pre-tax profit was $105 million compared with a pre-tax profit of $66 million during the 2005 period. The improvement was explained by cost reductions, primarily in material costs. Unfavorable market mix of vehicle sales and lower net pricing were partial offsets. During the second quarter, Ford Europe's sales were $7.4 billion, compared with $7.9 billion during second quarter 2005.

Premier Automotive Group (PAG): PAG reported a pre-tax loss of $162 million for the second quarter, compared with a pre-tax profit of $17 million for the same period in 2005. The decline is more than explained by the impact of the expiration of favorable hedges that were put in place in previous years, adjustments to warranty accruals for prior models, and lower market share at Volvo in advance of new model introductions. These factors were partially offset by favorable product and market mix, driven largely by the success of new products at Land Rover, Jaguar and Aston Martin. Second- quarter sales for PAG were $7.8 billion, compared with $7.9 billion a year ago.

ASIA PACIFIC AND AFRICA/MAZDA

In the second quarter, Asia Pacific and Africa/Mazda reported a combined pre-tax profit of $36 million, compared with a pre-tax profit of $93 million in 2005.

Asia Pacific and Africa: For the second quarter, Asia Pacific and Africa reported a pre-tax profit of $4 million, compared with a pre-tax profit of $36 million a year ago. Lower Ford Falcon volumes and weaker industry volumes in traditional markets were partially offset by cost reductions. Sales were $1.8 billion, compared with $2 billion in 2005.

Mazda: During the second quarter of 2006, Ford's share of Mazda pre-tax profits and associated operations was $32 million, compared with $57 million during the same period a year ago. The decline is more than explained by the non-recurrence of gains during the second quarter of 2005 on our investment in Mazda's convertible bonds, which have now been entirely converted to equity.

OTHER AUTOMOTIVE

Second-quarter results included a pre-tax loss of $85 million in Other Automotive, compared with a profit of $398 million a year ago. The year-over- year decline is more than explained by the non-recurrence of tax-related interest adjustments, partially offset by higher interest income from the company's cash portfolio reflecting higher short-term interest rates and higher average cash balances.

FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR

For the second quarter, Financial Services sector earned a pre-tax profit of $646 million, compared with pre-tax profits of $1.3 billion a year ago.

Ford Motor Credit Company: Ford Motor Credit Company reported net income of $441 million in the second quarter of 2006, down $299 million from earnings of $740 million a year earlier. On a pre-tax basis from continuing operations, Ford Motor Credit earned $656 million in the second quarter, compared with $1.2 billion in the previous year. The decrease in earnings primarily reflected higher borrowing costs, the impact of lower average receivable levels, lower credit loss reserve reductions and higher depreciation expense.

THIRD-QUARTER PRODUCTION VOLUMES

North America third-quarter production is projected at 670,000 units, down 58,000 units on a year-over-year basis, and 40,000 units less than what was previously announced. This change from the prior level is more than explained by lower truck production, reflecting our intention to maintain appropriate dealer inventory levels. Ford Europe production is projected at 410,000 units, up 38,000 units from last year, primarily reflecting the timing of vacation shutdowns. PAG production is projected at 150,000 units, down 3,000 units from last year.



etc.etc.etc.

i read a lot of financial info. i invest..... dude