Ford Posts Highest Fourth Quarter Pre-Tax Profit in More Than a Decade; Full Year Pre-Tax Profit of $8 Billion and Net Income of $5.7 Billion+

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
 

• Strong full year pre-tax profit was $8 billion, or $1.41 per share, a decrease of $797 million from a year ago
  
   
• Full year net income was $5.7 billion, or $1.42 per share; excluding impact of 2011 changes in valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, full year 2012 net income was $307 million lower than 2011 
  
   
• Positive Automotive operating-related cash flow was $3.4 billion for the full year and $1 billion for the fourth quarter — the 11^th consecutive quarter of positive performance. Ford ended 2012 with Automotive gross cash of $24.3 billion, exceeding debt by $10 billion, and a strong liquidity position of $34.5 billion, an increase of $2.1 billion over 2011
  
   
• Ford had its highest fourth quarter pre-tax profit in more than a decade — when trucks and SUVs were a more significant portion of the U.S. product mix — at $1.7 billion, or $0.31 per share, an increase of $577 million from fourth quarter 2011. Ford has now posted a pre-tax operating profit for 14 consecutive quarters
  
   
• Total company fourth quarter net income was $1.6 billion, or $0.40 per share; excluding impact of 2011 changes in valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, fourth quarter net income was $565 million higher than 2011  
  
   
• Total Automotive full-year pre-tax profit of $6.3 billion was driven by Ford North America results, which set fourth quarter and full year records for pre-tax profit and operating margin since Ford began reflecting the region as a separate business unit in 2000. For the full year, Ford North America's pre-tax profit was $8.3 billion with an operating margin of 10.4 percent
  
   
• Ford Credit reported continued solid performance with a full year pre-tax profit of $1.7 billion
  
   
• For 2013 outlook, Ford expects another strong year, with Total Company operating profit to be about equal to 2012, Automotive operating margin to be about equal to or lower than 2012, and Automotive operating-related cash flow to be higher than 2012

See end notes on page 7.

Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] today reported 2012 full year pre-tax profit of $8 billion on the strength of record results from North America and continued solid performance from Ford Credit.

Full year pre-tax profit of $8 billion, or $1.41 per share, and net income of $5.7 billion, or $1.42 per share, were each lower than a year ago.  Excluding the impact of 2011 changes in the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, Ford fourth quarter net income was $565 million higher than 2011, while full year was $307 million lower than a year ago.

Fourth quarter pre-tax profit was $1.7 billion, or $0.31 per share, an increase of $577 million from 2011. Ford now has posted a pre-tax profit for 14 consecutive quarters. Fourth quarter net income was $1.6 billion, or $0.40 per share.

Ford generated positive Automotive operating-related cash flow of $1 billion in the fourth quarter - the 11^th consecutive quarter of positive performance - and positive Automotive operating-related cash flow of $3.4 billion for the full year. Ford ended 2012 with Automotive gross cash of $24.3 billion, exceeding debt by $10 billion, and a strong liquidity position of $34.5 billion, an increase of $2.1 billion over 2011.

"The Ford team delivered strong results once again, underscoring that our One Ford plan is working," said Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO. "We are well positioned for another strong year in 2013, as we continue our plan to serve customers in all markets around the world with a full family of vehicles — small, medium and large; cars, utilities and trucks — with the very best quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value."

As a result of Ford's 2012 financial performance, the company will make profit sharing payments to approximately 45,800 eligible U.S. hourly employees on March 14, 2013. As part of the UAW-Ford collective bargaining agreement, Ford North America pre-tax profits of $8.3 billion will generate approximately $8,300 per eligible employee on a full year basis. Individual profit sharing payments may be higher or lower based on employee compensated hours.

As part of Ford's previously announced strategy to de-risk its pension obligations, the company made $3.4 billion in cash contributions in 2012 to its worldwide funded plans, $2.3 billion higher than 2011. This included $2 billion of discretionary contributions. In 2012, Ford settled $1.2 billion of its pension obligations as part of the voluntary lump sum payout program for salaried retirees, which began in the second half of 2012 and will continue through 2013. For 2013, cash contributions to funded plans are expected to be about $5 billion globally, including discretionary contributions of about $3.4 billion. 

AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR

The increase in total Automotive pre-tax profit and operating margin in the fourth quarter is more than explained by the record quarter in North America. South America and Asia Pacific Africa were also improved. 

For the full year, Total Automotive pre-tax profit was about equal to a year ago, reflecting primarily higher net pricing and the non-repeat of 2011 UAW ratification bonuses, offset by higher costs, mainly structural, and unfavorable volume.

Ford North America

The increase of $1 billion in pre-tax profit for the fourth quarter compared with a year ago and the substantial increase in operating margin primarily reflected favorable market factors and the non-repeat of ratification bonuses. 

For the full year, North America pre-tax profit and operating margin were both records. Volume and revenue were also higher.

For 2013, Ford expects the strong North America performance to continue with pre-tax profits expected to be higher than 2012, with an operating margin of about 10 percent.  This reflects a growing industry, a strong Ford brand, an outstanding product line-up driven by industry-leading refresh rates, continued discipline in matching production with demand, and a lean cost structure. 

Ford South America

Pre-tax profit and operating margin in the fourth quarter were both higher than a year ago, more than explained by favorable market factors driven by several new products recently launched; higher costs and unfavorable exchange in Brazil were partial offsets.

For the full year, South America pre-tax profit was $213 million, substantially lower than a year ago.

For 2013, Ford expects its South America results to be about breakeven.  Although results will benefit from new products recently launched or to be launched during the year, the competitive environment and currency risks across the region, especially in Venezuela, are expected to impact company profits adversely. In addition, government actions to incentivize local production and balance trade are driving trade frictions between South American countries and also with Mexico, resulting in business environment instability and new trade barriers.

Ford Europe

The decline in Ford Europe's fourth quarter pre-tax results was more than explained by unfavorable volume and mix. The industry for the 19 markets Ford tracks in Europe was 13.5 million units, the lowest quarterly SAAR since 1995.

For the full year, Ford Europe continued to be negatively impacted by the challenging economic conditions in the region.

Ford's European results are consistent with prior guidance. The company's announced European transformation is proceeding according to plan. In the fourth quarter, the company started recognizing accelerated depreciation for the plants it intends to close, subject to employee consultation. Ford also recognized the cost of salaried separations, which are included in special items.

Ford is on track to deliver its European transformation plan, focused on product, brand, and cost. In 2013, compared with last year, Ford will benefit from the non-repeat to the same degree of dealer stock reductions. However, consistent with its guidance, Ford will incur higher costs associated with its restructuring actions, mainly investment in new products — as outlined at its Amsterdam product event, accelerated depreciation, and costs to implement its revised manufacturing footprint. As Ford did in North America, these are investments the company is making now to transform its European business for profitable growth in the future. 

Since providing guidance in October, Ford's outlook for industry volume has deteriorated. Ford now expects industry volume to be in the lower end of the range of 13 million to 14 million units. In addition, Ford is being adversely impacted by higher pension costs due to lower discount rates, and a stronger euro. As a result, Ford now expects full year 2013 results for Ford Europe to be a loss of about $2 billion, compared to prior guidance of a loss about equal to 2012. The business environment remains uncertain, and Ford will continue to monitor the situation in Europe and take further action as necessary.

Ford Asia Pacific Africa

The improvement in both fourth quarter pre-tax profits and operating margin was more than explained by favorable market factors, offset partially by higher costs associated with new products and investments to support higher volumes and future growth.  Ford recorded a 41 percent increase in sales in the fourth quarter and increased its market share from 2.8 percent to 3.4 percent, both quarterly records for the company in the region.

While Ford Asia Pacific Africa posted a full year loss, it sold more than 1 million vehicles for the first time, and recorded $10 billion in revenue, also a record.

For 2013, Ford expects Asia Pacific Africa to be about breakeven. The company also expects its volume and revenue growth in the region to accelerate, supported by the launch of the all-new Kuga, Mondeo, EcoSport, and refreshed Fiesta across the region, as well as the launch of Mondeo and Explorer in China. This will be offset in large part by continued strong investment across the region to support Ford's longer-range growth plans.

Other Automotive

The fourth quarter loss of $62 million in Other Automotive mainly reflected net interest expense of $147 million, offset partially by a favorable fair market value adjustment on the company's investment in Mazda.

For the full year, the loss in Other Automotive of $470 million was more than explained by $489 million of net interest expense. 

For 2013, Ford expects net interest expense to be higher than the fourth quarter 2012 run rate, reflecting the increase in Automotive debt associated with the company's recent issuance and lower interest income.

FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR

Ford Motor Credit Company

In line with expectations, lower fourth quarter pre-tax results compared with a year ago reflected mainly lower credit loss reserve reductions and lower financing margin as higher-yielding assets originated in prior years run off.

The decline in full year pre-tax profit is more than explained by fewer lease terminations, resulting in fewer vehicles sold at a gain, and lower financing margin.

For 2013, Ford Credit projects full year pre-tax profit about equal to 2012; managed receivables at year end in the range of $95 billion to $105 billion; managed leverage to continue in the range of 8:1 to 9:1; and planned distributions of about $200 million.

PRODUCTION VOLUMES*

*Includes production of Ford brand and JMC brand vehicles to be sold by unconsolidated affiliates.

Fourth Quarter, Full Year 2012 and First Quarter 2013 Production Volumes

In the fourth quarter, total company production was about 1.5 million units, 125,000 units higher than a year ago. This is 13,000 units higher than Ford's most recent guidance.

For the full year, Ford produced 5.7 million units, up 54,000 from a year ago.

The company expects first quarter production to be about 1.6 million units, up 160,000 units from a year ago, reflecting higher volume in all regions except Europe. Compared with the fourth quarter, first quarter production is up 72,000 units.

OUTLOOK

Ford's planning assumptions and key metrics include the following:

Ford remains focused on delivering the key aspects of the One Ford plan, which are unchanged:

• Aggressively restructuring to operate profitably at the current demand and changing model mix
• Accelerating the development of new products that customers want and value
• Financing the plan and improving the balance sheet
• Working together effectively as one team, leveraging Ford's global assets

"Our focus this year will be to continue our strong performance in North America and at Ford Credit,  while at the same time, addressing challenges and opportunities in other parts of our business," said Bob Shanks, Ford chief financial officer. "In Europe this means executing our transformation plan, while in South America we will continue to refresh our entire product line-up, and in Asia Pacific we will continue to invest for even stronger, profitable growth in the future."

Overall, the company expects 2013 to be another strong year, as it continues to work toward its mid-decade outlook.

Safe Harbor/Risk Factors

Statements included herein may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, forecasts, and assumptions by our management and involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, including, without limitation:

• Decline in industry sales volume, particularly in the United States or Europe, due to financial crisis, recession, geo-political events, or other factors; 
• Decline in market share or failure to achieve growth;
• Lower-than-anticipated market acceptance of new or existing products;
• An increase in or acceleration of market shift beyond our current planning assumptions from sales of trucks, medium- and large-sized utilities, or other more profitable vehicles, particularly in the United States; 
• An increase in fuel prices, continued volatility of fuel prices, or reduced availability of fuel;
• Continued or increased price competition resulting from industry overcapacity, currency fluctuations, or other factors; 
• Adverse effects from the bankruptcy, insolvency, or government-funded restructuring of, change in ownership or control of, or alliances entered into by a major competitor;
• Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and interest rates;
• Economic distress of suppliers that may require us to provide substantial financial support or take other measures to ensure supplies of components and could increase our costs, affect our liquidity, or cause production constraints or disruptions;
• Single-source supply of components or materials;
• Labor or other constraints on our ability to maintain competitive cost structure;
• Work stoppages at Ford or supplier facilities or other interruptions of production;
• Substantial pension and postretirement health care and life insurance liabilities impairing our liquidity or financial condition;
• Worse-than-assumed economic and demographic experience for our postretirement benefit plans (e.g., discount rates or investment returns);
• Restriction on use of tax attributes from tax law "ownership change;" 
• The discovery of defects in vehicles resulting in delays in new model launches, recall campaigns, reputational damage, or increased warranty costs;
• Increased safety, emissions, fuel economy, or other regulation resulting in higher costs, cash expenditures, and/or sales restrictions;
• Unusual or significant litigation, governmental investigations or adverse publicity arising out of alleged defects in our products, perceived environmental impacts, or otherwise;
• A change in our requirements for parts where we have long-term supply arrangements committing us to purchase minimum or fixed quantities of certain parts, or to pay a minimum amount to the seller ("take-or-pay" contracts);
• Adverse effects on our results from a decrease in or cessation or clawback of government incentives related to investments;
• Adverse effects on our operations resulting from certain geo-political or other events;
• Inherent limitations of internal controls impacting financial statements and safeguarding of assets;
• Substantial levels of Automotive indebtedness adversely affecting our financial condition or preventing us from fulfilling our debt obligations;
• Failure of financial institutions to fulfill commitments under committed credit facilities;
• Inability of Ford Credit to access debt, securitization, or derivative markets around the world at competitive rates or in sufficient amounts due to credit rating downgrades, market volatility, market disruption, regulatory requirements, or other factors;
• Higher-than-expected credit losses;
• Increased competition from banks or other financial institutions seeking to increase their share of financing Ford vehicles;
• Collection and servicing problems related to finance receivables and net investment in operating leases;
• Lower-than-anticipated residual values or higher-than-expected return volumes for leased vehicles;
• Imposition of additional costs or restrictions due to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("Act") and its implementing rules and regulations;
• New or increased credit, consumer, or data protection or other regulations resulting in higher costs and/or additional financing restrictions; and
• Inability of Ford Credit to obtain competitive funding.  

Ford cannot be certain that any expectation, forecast, or assumption made in preparing forward-looking statements will prove accurate, or that any projection will be realized.  It is to be expected that there may be differences between projected and actual results.  Ford's forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of initial issuance, and Ford does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  For additional discussion of these risks, see "Item 1A . Risk Factors" of Ford's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] releases its preliminary fourth quarter 2012 financial results at 7 a.m. EST today.  The following briefings will be held after the announcement:

• At 9 a.m. EST, Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO, and Bob Shanks, Ford executive vice president and chief financial officer, will host a conference call for the investment community and news media to discuss the 2012 fourth quarter and full-year results.
  
   
• At 11 a.m. EST, Neil Schloss, Ford vice president and treasurer, Stuart Rowley, Ford vice president and controller, and Mike Seneski, chief financial officer, Ford Motor Credit Company, will host a conference call for fixed income analysts and investors.

Listen-only presentations and supporting materials will be available on the Internet at www.shareholder.ford.com.  Representatives of the news media and the investment community participating by teleconference will have the opportunity to ask questions following the presentations.

Access Information — Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013
Earnings Call: 9 a.m. (EST)
Toll Free: 1.866.318.8613
International: 1.617.399.5132
Earnings Passcode: Ford Earnings
Fixed Income: 11 a.m. (EST)
Toll Free: 1.866.515.2907
International: 1.617.399.5121
Fixed Income Passcode: Ford Fixed Income
Replays — Available after 2 p.m. the day of the event through Tuesday, February 5, 2013.  
www.shareholder.ford.com
Toll Free: 1.888.286.8010
International: 1.617.801.6888
Replay Passcodes:
Earnings: 37382865
Fixed Income: 87513123

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 171,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company

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