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<p>[Ford</a> Posts Profit, Eyes Fuel Sippers to Aid Full Turnaround | Reuters](<a href=“http://www.reuters.com/article/earth2Tech/idUS289162914620090723]Ford”>http://www.reuters.com/article/earth2Tech/idUS289162914620090723)</p>
<p>Profits at a car company? Who would have thought that was possible?</p>
<p>Actually, unlike GM and Chrysler, Ford neither asked for nor got federal bailout funds. I wouldn’t get too excited about this profit, though; my understanding is it’s mostly the result of some one-time debt restructuring. They actually lost money on their North American car operations. Ford’s products are selling relatively well, however, and so far this year they’ve made major gains in market share at the expense not only of GM and Chrysler but also of Toyota. The fuel-efficient Ford Fusion is a very hot seller right now.</p>
<p>It may be that their status as the one US automaker not dealing with BK issues is making them the default choice of those that want to buy American. Success breeds success, even if it is only financial. I think that they’d be on my list for a new car even though I’m a current Toyota driver. The main reason why I didn’t consider Ford before was in how they treated me at the dealership last when I went to look at their cars. That’s a local issue of course.</p>
<p>Here come the liberal Antitruster’s.</p>
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<p>I thought Ford did NOT take any bailout money.</p>
<p>They went to Capitol Hill requesting some “just in case”. When they became aware of the strings attached and looked at their present situation (not nearly as dire as GM and Chrysler) they said never mind. They did not actually receive any funds.</p>
<p>So we have a hope - we might end up with one American car maker in America in addition to few Japanese ones.</p>