Ford Details Lower Profit Forecast
Ford Motor Co. says in a regulatory filing that its adjusted pretax profit this year is likely to drop to $9 billion from $10.4 billion in 2016, largely because of increased spending on such emerging mobility technologies as autonomous driving systems.
#economics #regulations
Ford Motor Co. says in a regulatory filing that its adjusted pretax profit this year is likely to drop to $9 billion from $10.4 billion in 2016, largely because of increased spending on such emerging mobility technologies as autonomous driving systems.
Additional negative pressures are lower fleet sales volume, higher costs, fluctuating commodity prices and unfavorable exchange rates, according to the company. It adds that first-quarter earnings per share are likely to drop to 30-35 cents from 68 cents in the same period of 2016.
The company has been warning about a downturn for months. It also cautions that used-car prices in the U.S. are likely to continue to weaken through 2019 as more vehicles come off lease. The trend will put downward pressure on future new-car pricing.
Still, Ford predicts its spending this year will lead to an upturn in results in 2018. Chief Financial Officer Bob Shanks tells analysts and investors that the company is “starting to form some interesting points of view” as it clarifies its directional shift from carmaker to mobility provider.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Ford’s $42 Billion Cash Cow
F-Series pickups generate about 30% of the carmaker’s revenue. The tally is about twice as much as what McDonald’s pulls in.
-
On The German Auto Industry
A look at several things that are going on in the German auto industry—from new vehicles to stamping to building electric vehicles.
-
On Global EV Sales, Lean and the Supply Chain & Dealing With Snow
The distribution of EVs and potential implications, why lean still matters even with supply chain issues, where there are the most industrial robots, a potential coming shortage that isn’t a microprocessor, mapping tech and obscured signs, and a look at the future