form10k.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
 
R
Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
   
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
   
 
or
   
£
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
   
 
For the transition period from  __________ to __________
   
 
Commission file number 1-3950


Ford Motor Company
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
38-0549190
(State of incorporation)
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
   
One American Road, Dearborn, Michigan
48126
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)

313-322-3000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered (a)
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange
     
7.50% Notes Due June 10, 2043
 
New York Stock Exchange
   
 
Ford Motor Company Capital Trust II
 
New York Stock Exchange
6.50% Cumulative Convertible Trust Preferred
   
Securities, liquidation preference $50 per share
   
__________
(a)
In addition, shares of Common Stock of Ford are listed on certain stock exchanges in Europe.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  R  No  £

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes  £    No  R
 


 
 

 
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  R   No  £

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  R

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of " accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)
Large accelerated filer  R    Accelerated filer  £     Non-accelerated filer  £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes  £   No  R




 
As of June 30, 2008, Ford had outstanding 2,182,758,311 shares of Common Stock and 70,852,076 shares of Class B Stock.  Based on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction closing price of the Common Stock on that date ($4.81 per share), the aggregate market value of such Common Stock was $10,499,067,476.  Although there is no quoted market for our Class B Stock, shares of Class B Stock may be converted at any time into an equal number of shares of Common Stock for the purpose of effecting the sale or other disposition of such shares of Common Stock.  The shares of Common Stock and Class B Stock outstanding at June 30, 2008 included shares owned by persons who may be deemed to be "affiliates" of Ford.  We do not believe, however, that any such person should be considered to be an affiliate.  For information concerning ownership of outstanding Common Stock and Class B Stock, see the Proxy Statement for Ford’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders currently scheduled to be held on May 14, 2009 (our "Proxy Statement"), which is incorporated by reference under various Items of this Report as indicated below.

As of February 13, 2009, Ford had outstanding 2,325,468,761 shares of Common Stock and 70,852,076 shares of Class B Stock.  Based on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction closing price of the Common Stock on that date ($1.76 per share), the aggregate market value of such Common Stock was $4,092,825,019.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Document
 
Where Incorporated
Proxy Statement*
 
Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14)
__________
*
As stated under various Items of this Report, only certain specified portions of such document are incorporated by reference in this Report.
 
Exhibit Index begins on page 95.
 
 
 

 

PART I

ITEM 1. Business

Ford Motor Company (referred to herein as "Ford", the "Company", "we", "our" or "us") was incorporated in Delaware in 1919.  We acquired the business of a Michigan company, also known as Ford Motor Company, that had been incorporated in 1903 to produce and sell automobiles designed and engineered by Henry Ford.  We are one of the world’s largest producers of cars and trucks.  We and our subsidiaries also engage in other businesses, including financing vehicles.

In addition to the information about Ford and its subsidiaries contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 ("2008 Form 10-K Report" or "Report"), extensive information about our Company can be found at www.ford.com, including information about our management team, our brands and products, and our corporate governance principles.

The corporate governance information on our website includes our Corporate Governance Principles, Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Personnel, Code of Ethics for Directors, Standards of Corporate Conduct for all employees, and the Charters for each of our Board Committees.  In addition, any amendments to our Code of Ethics or waivers granted to our directors and executive officers will be posted in this area of our website.  All of these documents can be accessed by logging onto our website and clicking on the "Investors," then "Company Information," and then "Corporate Governance" links, and may be obtained free of charge by writing to our Shareholder Relations Department, Ford Motor Company, One American Road, P.O. Box 1899, Dearborn, Michigan 48126-1899.

In addition, all of our recent periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are available free of charge through our website.  This includes recent Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments to those Reports.  Recent Section 16 filings made with the SEC by the Company or any of its executive officers or directors with respect to our Common Stock are made available free of charge through our website.  We post each of these documents on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after it is electronically filed with the SEC.

To access our SEC reports or amendments or the Section 16 filings, log onto our website and click "Investors," then "Company Reports," and then "View S.E.C. Filings" which links to a list of reports filed with the SEC.

The foregoing information regarding our website and its content is for convenience only.  The content of our website is not deemed to be incorporated by reference into this report nor should it be deemed to have been filed with the SEC.
 
 
 

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


OVERVIEW

Segments.  We review and present our business results in two sectors:  Automotive and Financial Services.  Within these sectors, our business is divided into reportable segments based upon the organizational structure that we use to evaluate performance and make decisions on resource allocation, as well as availability and materiality of separate financial results consistent with that structure.

Our Automotive and Financial Services segments as of December 31, 2008 are described in the table below:

Business Sector
Reportable Segments*
Description
     
Automotive:
Ford North America
Primarily includes the sale of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brand vehicles and related service parts in North America (the United States, Canada and Mexico), together with the associated costs to design, develop, manufacture and service these vehicles and parts, as well as the sale of Mazda6 vehicles produced by our consolidated subsidiary AutoAlliance International, Inc. ("AAI").
     
 
Ford South America
Primarily includes the sale of Ford-brand vehicles and related service parts in South America, together with the associated costs to design, develop, manufacture and service these vehicles and parts.
     
 
Ford Europe
 
Primarily includes the sale of Ford-brand vehicles and related service parts in Europe, Turkey and Russia, together with the associated costs to design, develop, manufacture and service these vehicles and parts.
     
 
Volvo
Primarily includes the sale of Volvo brand vehicles and related service parts throughout the world (including Europe, North and South America, and Asia Pacific Africa), together with the associated costs to design, develop, manufacture and service these vehicles and parts.
     
 
Ford Asia Pacific Africa
Primarily includes the sale of Ford-brand vehicles and related service parts in the Asia Pacific region and South Africa, together with the associated costs to design, develop, manufacture and service these vehicles and parts.
     
Financial Services:
Ford Motor Credit Company
Primarily includes vehicle-related financing, leasing, and insurance.
     
 
Other Financial Services
Includes a variety of businesses including holding companies, real estate, and the financing and leasing of some Volvo vehicles in Europe.
__________
*
As reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2008, we sold Jaguar and Land Rover effective June 2, 2008.  Also, during the fourth quarter of 2008, we sold a portion of our equity in Mazda, reducing our ownership percentage from approximately 33.4% to 13.78%.  As a result, beginning with the fourth quarter of 2008, we account for our interest in Mazda as marketable securities and no longer report Mazda as an operating segment.
 
We provide financial information (such as revenues, income, and assets) for each of these business sectors and reportable segments in three areas of this Report:  (1) "Item 6. Selected Financial Data," (2) "Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and (3) Note 26 of the Notes to the Financial Statements located at the end of this Report.  Financial information relating to certain geographic areas also is included in the Notes.
 
 
2

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR

General

We sell cars and trucks throughout the world.  In 2008, our total ongoing Automotive operations sold approximately 5,407,000 vehicles at wholesale throughout the world.  See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for additional discussion of wholesale unit volumes.

As of December 31, 2008, our vehicle brands include Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, and Volvo.  Substantially all of our cars, trucks and parts are marketed through retail dealers in North America, and through distributors and dealers (collectively, "dealerships") outside of North America, the substantial majority of which are independently owned.  At December 31, 2008, the approximate number of dealerships worldwide distributing our vehicle brands was as follows:

Brand
Number of Dealerships at December 31, 2008*
 
Ford
    11,827  
Mercury
    1,871  
Lincoln
    1,427  
Volvo
    2,341  
__________
*
Because many of these dealerships distribute more than one of our brands from the same sales location, a single dealership may be counted under more than one brand.

In addition to the products we sell to our dealerships for retail sale, we also sell cars and trucks to our dealerships for sale to fleet customers, including daily rental car companies, commercial fleet customers, leasing companies, and governments.  We do not depend on any single customer or small group of customers to the extent that the loss of such customer or group of customers would have a material adverse effect on our business.

Through our dealer network and other channels, we also provide retail customers with a wide range of after-sale vehicle services and products, including maintenance and light repair, heavy repair, collision, vehicle accessories and extended service warranty.  In North America, we market these products and services under several brands, including Genuine Ford and Lincoln-Mercury Parts and ServiceSM, Ford Custom AccessoriesTM, Ford Extended Service PlanSM, and MotorcraftSM.

The worldwide automotive industry, Ford included, is affected significantly by general economic conditions (among other factors) over which we have little control.  This is especially so because vehicles are durable goods, which provide consumers latitude to determine whether and when to replace an existing vehicle, as evidenced by the recent sudden and dramatic drop in industry sales volume with the current economic crisis.  That decision may be affected significantly by slowing economic growth, geo-political events, and other factors (including the cost of purchasing and operating cars and trucks and the availability and cost of credit and fuel).  Accordingly, the number of cars and trucks sold may vary substantially from year to year.  The automotive industry is also a highly competitive, cyclical business that has a wide and growing variety of product offerings from a growing number of manufacturers.  See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Overview" for discussion of the impact of the current global credit and economic crisis on our worldwide vehicle sales.

Our wholesale unit volumes vary with the level of total industry demand and our share of that industry demand.  In the short term, our wholesale unit volumes also are influenced by the level of dealer inventory.  Our share is influenced by how our products are perceived in comparison to those offered by other manufacturers based on many factors, including price, quality, styling, reliability, safety, fuel efficiency, functionality, and reputation.  Our share also is affected by the timing and frequency of new model introductions.  Our ability to satisfy changing consumer preferences with respect to type or size of vehicle, as well as design and performance characteristics, impacts our sales and earnings significantly.

 
3

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


The profitability of our business is affected by many factors, including:

Wholesale unit volumes;
Margin of profit on each vehicle sold; which in turn is affected by many factors, including:
 
·
Mix of vehicles and options sold;
 
·
Costs of components and raw materials necessary for production of vehicles;
 
·
Level of "incentives" (e.g., price discounts) and other marketing costs;
 
·
Costs for customer warranty claims and additional service actions; and
 
·
Costs for safety, emission and fuel economy technology and equipment; and
As with other manufacturers, a high proportion of relatively fixed costs, including labor costs, such that small changes in wholesale unit volumes can significantly affect overall profitability.

In addition, our industry continues to face a very competitive pricing environment, driven in part by industry excess capacity.  For the past several decades, manufacturers typically have given price discounts and other marketing incentives to maintain market share and production levels.  A discussion of our strategies to compete in this pricing environment is set forth in "Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Overview."

Competitive Position.  The worldwide automotive industry consists of many producers, with no single dominant producer.  Certain manufacturers, however, account for the major percentage of total sales within particular countries, especially their countries of origin.  Detailed information regarding our competitive position in the principal markets where we compete may be found below as part of the overall discussion of the automotive industry in those markets.

Seasonality.  We generally record the sale of a vehicle (and recognize sales proceeds in revenue) when it is produced and shipped or delivered to our customer (i.e., our dealer or distributor).  See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Overview" for additional discussion of revenue recognition practices.  We manage our vehicle production schedule based on a number of factors, including dealer stock levels (i.e., the number of units held in inventory by our dealers and distributors for sale to retail and fleet customers) and retail sales (i.e., units sold by our dealers and distributors to their customers at retail).  We also experience some seasonal fluctuation in the business.  Generally, production in many markets is higher in the first half of the year to meet demand in the spring and summer, which are usually the strongest sales months of the year.  Third quarter production is typically the lowest of the year, generally reflecting the annual vacation shutdown of our manufacturing facilities during this quarter.  As a result, operating results for the third quarter typically are less favorable than those of other quarters.

Raw Materials.  We purchase a wide variety of raw materials from numerous suppliers around the world for use in production of our vehicles.  These materials include non-ferrous metals (e.g., aluminum), precious metals (e.g., palladium), ferrous metals (e.g., steel and iron castings), energy (e.g., natural gas), and resins (e.g., polypropylene).  We believe that  we have adequate supplies or sources of availability of the raw materials necessary to meet our needs.  There are always risks and uncertainties, however, with respect to the supply of raw materials that could impact their availability in sufficient quantities to meet our needs.  See "Item 7. Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Overview" for a discussion of commodity and energy price trends, and "Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Commodity Price Risk" for a discussion of commodity price risks.

Backlog Orders.  We generally produce and ship our products on average within approximately 20 days after an order is deemed to become firm.  Therefore, no significant amount of backlog orders accumulates during any period.

Intellectual Property.  We own or hold licenses to use numerous patents, copyrights and trademarks on a global basis.  Our policy is to protect our competitive position by, among other methods, filing U.S. and international patent applications to protect technology and improvements that we consider important to the development of our business.  We have generated a large number of patents, and expect this portfolio to continue to grow as we actively pursue additional technological innovation.  We currently have approximately 15,000 active patents and pending patent applications globally, with an average age for patents in our active patent portfolio of just over 5 years.  In addition to this intellectual property, we also rely on our proprietary knowledge and ongoing technological innovation to develop and maintain our competitive position.  Although we believe that these patents, patent applications, and know-how, in the aggregate, are important to the conduct of our business, and we obtain licenses to use certain intellectual property owned by others, none is individually considered material to our business.  We also own numerous trademarks and service marks that contribute to the identity and recognition of our Company and its products and services globally.  Certain of these marks are integral to the conduct of our business, a loss of any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 
4

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


Warranty Coverage and Additional Service Actions.  We currently provide warranties on vehicles we sell.  Warranties are offered for specific periods of time and/or mileage, and vary depending upon the type of product, usage of the product and the geographic location of its sale.  Types of warranty coverage offered include base coverage (e.g., "bumper-to-bumper" coverage in the United States on Ford-brand vehicles for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first), safety restraint coverage, and corrosion coverage.  Beginning with 2007 model-year passenger cars and light trucks, Ford extended the powertrain warranty coverage offered on Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles sold in the United States, Canada, and select U.S. export markets (e.g., powertrain coverage for certain vehicles sold in the United States from three years or 36,000 miles to five years or 60,000 miles on Ford and Mercury brands and from four years or 50,000 miles to six years or 70,000 miles on the Lincoln brand).  In compliance with regulatory requirements, we also provide emissions-defects and emissions-performance warranty coverage.  Pursuant to these warranties, Ford will repair, replace, or adjust all parts on a vehicle that are defective in factory-supplied materials or workmanship during the specified warranty period.

In addition to the costs associated with the warranty coverage provided on our vehicles, we also incur costs as a result of additional service actions not covered by our warranties, including product recalls and customer satisfaction actions.

Estimated warranty and service action costs for each vehicle sold by us are accrued for at the time of sale.  Accruals for estimated warranty and service action costs are based on historical experience and subject to adjustment from time to time depending on actual experience.  Warranty accrual adjustments required when actual warranty claim experience differs from our estimates may have a material impact on our results.

For additional information with respect to costs for warranty and additional service actions, see "Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Estimates" and Note 29 of the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Industry Sales Volume

During 2008, the global economic crisis dramatically reduced industry sales volume in the United States and Europe, and began to slow growth in other markets around the world.  The following chart shows industry sales volume for the United States, and for the markets we track in Europe, South America and Asia Pacific Africa for the last five years (in millions of units):

   
Industry Volume *
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
       
United States
    13.5       16.5       17.1       17.5       17.3  
Ford Europe
    16.7       18.1       17.9       17.6       17.6  
Ford South America
    4.3       4.1       3.2       2.7       2.2  
Ford Asia Pacific Africa
    20.9       20.4       18.6       17.3       16.1  
__________
*
Throughout this section, industry sales volume includes sales of medium and heavy trucks.  See discussion of each market below for definition of the markets we track.  

Much of the decline in industry sales volume in 2008 occurred toward the end of the year, with the seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales in the fourth quarter of 2008 reaching 10.7 million units and 14.8 million units in the United States and the markets we track in Europe, respectively.  See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Overview" for discussion of the impact of declining industry sales volume.

United States

Industry Sales Data.  The following table shows U.S. industry sales of cars and trucks (in millions of units):
 
   
U.S. Industry Sales
   
Years Ended December 31,
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
     
Cars
    7.1       7.9       8.1       7.9       7.7  
Trucks
    6.4       8.6       9.0       9.6       9.6  
 
 
5

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


We classify cars by small, medium, large, and premium segments, and trucks by compact pickup, bus/van (including minivans), full-size pickup, sport utility vehicles, and medium/heavy segments.  With the introduction of vehicles with sport utility features built on a car platform (crossover utility vehicles or "CUVs"), however, the distinction between traditional cars and trucks has become more difficult to draw, and these vehicles are not consistently classified as either cars or trucks across vehicle manufacturers.  In the tables above and below, we have classified CUVs (i.e., vehicles with sport utility features built on a car platform) as sport utility vehicles ("SUVs").  In addition, we have classified all of our luxury cars as "premium," regardless of size; premium SUVs and CUVs are included in "trucks."  Annually, we conduct a comprehensive review of many factors to determine the appropriate classification of vehicle segments and the vehicles within those segments, and this review occasionally results in a change of classification for certain vehicles.

The following tables show the proportion of U.S. car and truck unit sales by segment for the industry (including domestic and foreign-based manufacturers):
 
   
U.S. Industry Vehicle Mix of Sales by Segment
 
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
CARS
                             
Small
    22.9 %     19.8 %     19.0 %     17.1 %     16.0 %
Medium
    15.5       13.6       13.1       13.1       14.0  
Large
    6.1       7.0       7.5       7.4       6.8  
Premium
    7.8       7.8       7.6       7.8       7.7  
Total U.S. Industry Car Sales
    52.3       48.2       47.2       45.4       44.5  
TRUCKS
                                       
Compact Pickup
    2.8 %     3.2 %     3.5 %     3.9 %     4.0 %
Bus/Van
    6.1       6.6       7.8       8.1       8.5  
Full-Size Pickup
    11.9       13.5       13.3       14.6       14.7  
SUV/CUV
    24.9       26.5       25.2       25.5       26.1  
Medium/Heavy
    2.0       2.0       3.0       2.5       2.2  
Total U.S. Industry Truck Sales
    47.7       51.8       52.8       54.6       55.5  
Total U.S. Industry Vehicle Sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %

   
Ford U.S. Vehicle Mix of Sales by Segment*
 
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
CARS
                             
Small
    15.0 %     12.8 %     12.5 %     11.6 %     10.9 %
Medium
    9.3       7.8       12.9       8.2       9.4  
Large
    7.7       8.4       8.2       8.9       5.4  
Premium
    3.1       2.5       3.1       2.8       2.9  
Total Ford U.S. Car Sales
    35.1       31.5       36.7       31.5       28.6  
TRUCKS
                                       
Compact Pickup
    3.4 %     3.0 %     3.4 %     4.1 %     5.0 %
Bus/Van
    6.5       7.2       8.6       8.9       9.4  
Full-Size Pickup
    27.2       29.1       29.6       30.7       30.2  
SUV/CUV
    27.4       28.6       21.1       24.3       26.4  
Medium/Heavy
    0.4       0.6       0.6       0.5       0.4  
Total Ford U.S. Truck Sales
    64.9       68.5       63.3       68.5       71.4  
Total Ford U.S. Vehicle Sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
__________
*
These data include sales of Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles.

As the tables above indicate, the shift from cars to trucks that began in the 1980s started to reverse in 2005.  Prior to 2005, the proportion of trucks sold in the industry and by Ford had been increasing, reflecting higher sales of traditional, truck-based SUVs and full-size pickups.  In recent years, the percentage of cars sold in the overall market and by Ford trended higher, primarily due to increases in the small car segment.  In 2008, Ford's overall vehicle mix changes in the United States generally mirrored the overall industry.  Gains in our small car segment market share were largely explained by the strength of our redesigned Focus, with the Fusion and Milan contributing to our increased medium car mix.

Market Share Data.  The competitive environment in the United States has intensified and is expected to continue to intensify as Japanese and Korean manufacturers increase imports to the United States and production capacity in North America.  Our principal competitors in the United States include General Motors Corporation ("General Motors"), Chrysler LLC ("Chrysler"), Toyota Motor Corporation ("Toyota"), Honda Motor Company ("Honda"), and Nissan Motor Company ("Nissan").  The following tables show U.S. car and truck market share for Ford (Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury brand vehicles only) and for the other five leading vehicle manufacturers.

 
6

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


The percentages in each of the following tables represent percentages of the combined car and truck industry:

   
U.S. Car Market Shares (a)
 
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Ford
    5.0 %     4.6 %     5.8 %     5.4 %     5.1 %
General Motors
    10.0       9.8       10.0       10.2       10.7  
Chrysler
    3.6       4.2       4.1       4.0       3.6  
Toyota
    10.0       9.2       8.6       7.4       6.3  
Honda
    6.6       5.3       4.9       4.8       4.9  
Nissan
    4.4       3.8       3.2       3.3       3.0  
All Other (b)
    12.7       11.3       10.6       10.3       10.9  
Total U.S. Car Deliveries
    52.3 %     48.2 %     47.2 %     45.4 %     44.5 %

   
U.S. Truck Market Shares (a)
 
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Ford
    9.2 %     10.0 %     10.2 %     11.6 %     12.9 %
General Motors
    12.1       13.6       14.1       15.6       16.4  
Chrysler
    7.2       8.4       8.4       9.2       9.1  
Toyota
    6.4       6.7       6.3       5.6       5.6  
Honda
    4.0       4.1       3.9       3.6       3.2  
Nissan
    2.7       2.7       2.8       2.9       2.7  
All Other (b)
    6.1       6.3       7.1       6.1       5.6  
Total U.S. Truck Deliveries
    47.7 %     51.8 %     52.8 %     54.6 %     55.5 %

   
U.S. Combined Car and Truck
Market Shares (a)
 
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Ford
    14.2 %     14.6 %     16.0 %     17.0 %     18.0 %
General Motors
    22.1       23.4       24.1       25.8       27.1  
Chrysler
    10.8       12.6       12.5       13.2       12.7  
Toyota
    16.4       15.9       14.9       13.0       11.9  
Honda
    10.6       9.4       8.8       8.4       8.1  
Nissan
    7.1       6.5       6.0       6.2       5.7  
All Other (b)
    18.8       17.6       17.7       16.4       16.5  
Total U.S. Car and Truck Deliveries
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
__________
(a) 
All U.S. sales data are based on publicly available information from the media and trade publications.
(b)
"All Other" includes primarily companies based in Korea, other Japanese manufacturers and various European manufacturers, and, with respect to the U.S. Truck Market Shares table and U.S. Combined Car and Truck Market Shares table, includes heavy truck manufacturers.

Our decline in overall market share is primarily the result of several factors, including increased competition, an industry shift away from our traditionally stronger segments (e.g., traditional SUVs and full-size pickups), reduced vehicle sales to daily rental companies, and the discontinuation of a number of our vehicle lines over the last several years.

In addition to the Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles we sell in the U.S. market, we also sell a significant number of Volvo vehicles.  Our market share for Volvo vehicles in the United States (which is reflected in "All Other" in the tables above) was approximately 0.5% in 2008, down 0.1 percentage points from 2007.  This decline in market share primarily reflected industry shift away from the premium SUV segment.

 
7

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


Fleet Sales.  The sales data and market share information provided above include both retail and fleet sales.  Fleet sales include sales to daily rental car companies, commercial fleet customers, leasing companies, and governments.  The table below shows our fleet sales in the United States, and the amount of those combined sales as a percentage of our total U.S. car and truck sales for the last five years (in thousands):

   
Ford Fleet Sales*
 
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Daily Rental Units
    237       304       447       440       415  
Commercial and Other Units
    217       268       277       256       243  
Government Units
    153       158       162       141       133  
Total Fleet Units
    607       730       886       837       791  
Percent of Total U.S. Car and Truck Sales
    32 %     30 %     32 %     28 %     25 %
__________
*
These data include sales of Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles.

Lower fleet sales in 2008 primarily reflected planned reductions in sales to daily rental car companies, combined with declines in rental, commercial and government sectors.  Although total fleet industry volume was down for the year, we improved year-over-year market share in both the commercial and government segments.  We continue to maintain government segment market share leadership over all brands.

Europe

Industry Sales Data

Market Share Information.  Outside of the United States, Europe is our largest market for the sale of cars and trucks.  The automotive industry in Europe is intensely competitive.  Our principal competitors in Europe include General Motors, Volkswagen A.G. Group, PSA Group, Renault Group, and Fiat SpA.  For the past 10 years, the top six manufacturers have collectively held between 70% and 76% of the total market.  This competitive environment is expected to intensify further as Japanese and Korean manufacturers increase their production capacity in Europe, and as other manufacturers of premium brands (e.g., BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi) continue to broaden their product offerings.

For purposes of this discussion, 2008 market data are based on estimated registrations currently available; percentage change is measured from actual 2007 registrations.  We track industry sales in Europe for the following 19 markets: Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, and Poland.  In 2008, vehicle manufacturers sold approximately 16.7 million cars and trucks in these 19 markets, down 7.7% from 2007 levels.  Ford's combined car and truck market share in Europe (for our Ford and Volvo brands) in 2008 was approximately 10% (about the same as 2007).

Britain and Germany are our highest-volume markets within Europe.  Any change in the British or German market has a significant effect on our total European automotive profits.  The global economic crisis appears to have impacted the British market earlier than most, and we do not expect Germany to experience as great an impact.  For 2008 compared with 2007, total industry sales were down 10.7% in Britain, and down 2.9% in Germany.  Our Ford-brand combined car and truck share in these markets in 2008 was 16.3% in Britain (up 0.4 percentage points from the previous year), and 7% in Germany (up 0.3 percentage points from the previous year).  Volvo market share in Europe was 1.3%, down 0.2 percentage points from 2007.

Although not included in the 19 markets above, several additional markets in the region contribute to our Ford Europe segment results.  In 2008, Ford's share of the Turkish market decreased by 2.1 percentage points to 14.7%, but was still the seventh year in a row that the Ford brand led the market in sales in Turkey.  We also are experiencing strong sales in Russia, where sales of Ford-brand vehicles increased approximately 6% to about 187,000 units in 2008.  We believe that the impact of the global economic crisis began to impact these markets during the fourth quarter of 2008, however, so that full-year 2009 industry sales volumes are likely to decline from 2008 levels.

Motor Vehicle Distribution in Europe.  The Commission of the European Union ("Commission") regulates the way motor vehicles are sold and repaired throughout the European Community through its Block Exemption Regulation. Manufacturers must either operate an "exclusive" distribution system – with exclusive dealer sales territories combined with the possibility of sales to any reseller (e.g., supermarket chains, internet agencies and other resellers not authorized by the manufacturer), who in turn could sell to end customers both within and outside of the dealer’s exclusive sales territory – or a "selective" distribution system.  These rules make it easier for a dealer to display and sell multiple brands in one store without the need to maintain separate facilities.
 
 
8

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


We, like most other automotive manufacturers, use a "selective" distribution system, allowing us to restrict the dealer’s ability to sell our vehicles to unauthorized resellers.  The Block Exemption Regulation also contains rules concerning the repair industry.  These rules permit a manufacturer to require the use of its parts in warranty and recall work, but allow repair facilities to use parts made by others that are of comparable quality for all other repair work.  We have negotiated and implemented Dealer, Authorized Repairer and Spare Part Supply contracts on a country-by-country level and, therefore, the Block Exemption Regulation applies with respect to all of our dealers.

The current Block Exemption Regulation, first adopted in 2002, has contributed and continues to contribute to an increasingly competitive market for vehicles and parts and ongoing price convergence.  This has contributed to an increase in marketing expenses, negatively affecting the profitability of our Ford Europe and Volvo segments.  We anticipate that this trend may continue as dealers and parts suppliers become increasingly organized and established.  The current Block Exemption Regulation expires on May 31, 2010.

Other Markets

Canada and Mexico.  Canada and Mexico also are important markets for us.  In Canada, industry sales of new cars and trucks in 2008 were approximately 1.67 million units, down 1% from 2007 levels; industry sales were better in 2008 than 2007 for the first ten months of the year, with industry sales beginning to show signs of the impact of the global economic slowdown in November 2008.  Industry sales of new cars and trucks in Mexico were approximately 1.07 million units in 2008, down about 6.5% from 2007; industry sales were stronger year-over-year for the first three quarters of 2008, with a steep decline during the fourth quarter of 2008 due to the global economic slowdown.  Our combined car and truck market share (including all of our brands sold in these markets) in 2008 was 12.6% in Canada (down 0.7 percentage points from the previous year), and 12.1% in Mexico (down 1.2 percentage points from the previous year).

South America.  Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela are our principal markets in South America.  Industry sales in 2008 were approximately 2.8 million units in Brazil (up 14.5% from 2007), approximately 600,000 units in Argentina (up 7.9% from 2007), and approximately 270,000 units in Venezuela (down 44.8% from 2007).  Our combined car and truck share for Ford-brand vehicles in these markets was 10% in Brazil (down 0.8 percentage points from 2007), 12.4% in Argentina (down 1.3 percentage points from 2007), and 15.7% in Venezuela (up 0.5 percentage points from 2007).  In Brazil and Argentina, 2008 industry sales were strong in comparison to 2007 for the first nine months of the year; beginning in October 2008, industry sales in both Brazil and Argentina experienced a steep decline due to the impact of the global economic slowdown.

Asia Pacific.  Australia, China, India, South Africa, and Taiwan are our principal markets in this region.  Industry sales in 2008 were approximately 1 million units in Australia (down 3.6% from 2007), approximately 9.9 million units in China (up 8.5% from 2007), approximately 2 million units in India (about the same as 2007), approximately 490,000 units in South Africa (down 20.2% from 2007), and approximately 230,000 units in Taiwan (down 29.7% from 2007).  Our combined car and truck share in these markets (including sales of Ford-brand vehicles, and market share for certain unconsolidated affiliates particularly in China) was 10.3% in Australia (about the same as 2007), 1.9% in China (down 0.2 percentage points from 2007), 1.4% in India (down 0.5 percentage points from 2007), 6.9% in South Africa (down 0.7 percentage points from 2007) and 5.5% in Taiwan (down 2.1 percentage points from 2007).  Our principal competition in the Asia Pacific region has been the Japanese manufacturers.  We anticipate that the ongoing relaxation of import restrictions (including duty reductions) will continue to intensify competition in the region.

We are in the process of significantly increasing our presence in India with more investment in manufacturing capacity.  As announced in January 2008, we are investing $500 million to expand our current manufacturing facility in Chennai to begin production of a new small car and build a fully-integrated and flexible engine manufacturing plant planned to begin production by 2010.  We have also been increasing our presence in China, with investment in manufacturing capacity, introduction of new products, and expansion of distribution channels.

We also have an ownership interest in Mazda, which we reduced during the fourth quarter of 2008 from approximately 33.4% to 13.78%.

 
9

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR

Ford Motor Credit Company LLC

Ford Motor Credit Company LLC ("Ford Credit") offers a wide variety of automotive financing products to and through automotive dealers throughout the world.  The predominant share of Ford Credit’s business consists of financing our vehicles and supporting our dealers.  Ford Credit’s primary financing products fall into the following three categories:

 
Retail financing.  Purchasing retail installment sale contracts and retail lease contracts from dealers, and offering financing to commercial customers – primarily vehicle leasing companies and fleet purchasers – to purchase or lease vehicle fleets;

 
Wholesale financing.  Making loans to dealers to finance the purchase of vehicle inventory, also known as floorplan financing; and

 
Other financing.  Making loans to dealers for working capital, improvements to dealership facilities, and to purchase or finance dealership real estate.

Ford Credit also services the finance receivables and leases that it originates and purchases, makes loans to our affiliates, purchases certain receivables from us and our subsidiaries, and provides insurance services related to its financing programs.  Ford Credit’s revenues are earned primarily from payments made under retail installment sale contracts and retail leases (including interest supplements and other support payments it receives from us on special-rate financing programs), and from payments made under wholesale and other dealer loan financing programs.

Ford Credit does business in all states in the United States and in all provinces in Canada through automotive dealer financing branches and regional business centers.  Outside of the United States, FCE Bank plc ("FCE") is Ford Credit’s largest operation.  FCE's primary business is to support the sale of our vehicles in Europe through our dealer network.  FCE offers a variety of retail, leasing and wholesale finance plans in most countries in which it operates; FCE does business in the United Kingdom, Germany, and most other European countries.  Ford Credit, through its subsidiaries, also operates in the Asia Pacific and Latin American regions.  In addition, FCE, through its Worldwide Trade Financing division, provides financing to dealers in countries where typically we have no established local presence.

Ford Credit's share of retail financing for new Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury brand vehicles sold by dealers in the United States and new Ford-brand vehicles sold by dealers in Europe, as well as Ford Credit's share of wholesale financing for new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brand vehicles acquired by dealers in the United States (excluding fleet) and of new Ford-brand vehicles acquired by dealers in Europe, were as follows during the last three years:

United States
 
Years Ended
December 31,
 
Financing share – Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Retail installment and lease
    39 %     38 %     44 %
Wholesale
    77       78       80  
Europe
                       
Financing share – Ford
                       
Retail installment and lease
    28 %     26 %     27 %
Wholesale
    98       96       95  

For a detailed discussion of Ford Credit's receivables, credit losses, allowance for credit losses, loss-to-receivables ratios, funding sources, and funding strategies, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."  For a discussion of how Ford Credit manages its financial market risks, see "Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk."

We routinely sponsor special-rate financing programs available only through Ford Credit.  Pursuant to these programs, we make interest supplement or other support payments to Ford Credit.  These programs increase Ford Credit's financing volume and share of financing sales of our vehicles.  See Note 1 of the Notes to the Financial Statements and "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for more information about these support payments.
 
 
10

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


On November 6, 2008, we and Ford Credit entered into an Amended and Restated Support Agreement (“Support Agreement”) (formerly known as the Amended and Restated Profit Maintenance Agreement).  Pursuant to the Support Agreement, if Ford Credit’s managed leverage for a calendar quarter were to be higher than 11.5 to 1 (as reported in Ford Credit’s then-most recent Form 10-Q Report or Form 10-K Report), Ford Credit could require us to make or cause to be made a capital contribution to Ford Credit in an amount sufficient to have caused such managed leverage to have been 11.5 to 1.  A copy of the Support Agreement was filed as Exhibit 10 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008.  No capital contributions have been made to Ford Credit pursuant to the Support Agreement.  In addition, Ford Credit has an agreement to maintain FCE’s net worth in excess of $500 million.  No payments have been made by Ford Credit to FCE pursuant to the agreement during the 2006 through 2008 period.
 
GOVERNMENTAL STANDARDS

Many governmental standards and regulations relating to safety, fuel economy, emissions control, noise control, vehicle recycling, substances of concern, vehicle damage, and theft prevention are applicable to new motor vehicles, engines, and equipment manufactured for sale in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere.  In addition, manufacturing and other automotive assembly facilities in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere are subject to stringent standards regulating air emissions, water discharges, and the handling and disposal of hazardous substances.

Mobile Source Emissions Control

U.S. Requirements – Federal Emissions Standards.  The federal Clean Air Act imposes stringent limits on the amount of regulated pollutants that lawfully may be emitted by new motor vehicles and engines produced for sale in the United States.  The current ("Tier 2") emissions regulations promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") set standards for cars and light trucks that grow increasingly more stringent through the 2009 model year.  The Tier 2 emissions standards also extend durability requirements for emissions components to 120,000 or 150,000 miles (depending on the specific standards to which the vehicle is certified).  These standards present compliance challenges and make it more costly and difficult to utilize light-duty diesel technology, which in turn restricts our ability to improve fuel economy for purposes of satisfying Corporate Average Fuel Economy ("CAFE") standards.

The EPA also has standards and requirements for EPA-defined "heavy-duty" vehicles and engines (those vehicles with 8,500-14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight).  These standards and requirements include stringent evaporative hydrocarbon standards for gasoline vehicles, and stringent exhaust emission standards for all vehicles.  In order to meet the diesel standards, manufacturers must employ after-treatment technologies, such as diesel particulate filters, which require periodic customer maintenance.  These technologies add significant cost to the emissions control system, and present potential issues associated with consumer acceptance.  The EPA and manufacturers are engaged in discussions over the vehicle technologies for maintenance and emissions control and the warning systems that will be used to alert motorists to the need for maintenance to these systems.

U.S. Requirements – California and Other State Emissions Standards.  Pursuant to the Clean Air Act, California may seek a waiver from the EPA to establish unique emissions control standards; each new or modified proposal requires a new waiver of preemption from the EPA.  California has received a waiver from the EPA to establish its own unique emissions control standards for certain regulated pollutants.  New vehicles and engines sold in California must be certified by the California Air Resources Board ("CARB").  CARB's current low emission vehicle or "LEV II" emissions standards treat most light-duty trucks the same as passenger cars, and require both types of vehicles to meet stringent new emissions requirements.  Like the EPA's Tier 2 emissions standards, CARB's LEV II vehicle emissions standards also present a difficult engineering challenge, and impose even greater barriers to the use of light-duty diesel technology.  Rulemaking action to establish LEV III is expected to begin in 2009, and is expected to impose increasingly stringent emissions standards.

 
11

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


In 2004, CARB enacted standards limiting emissions of "greenhouse" gases (e.g., carbon dioxide) from new motor vehicles.  CARB asserts that its vehicle emissions regulations provide authority for it to adopt such standards.  Vehicle manufacturers are seeking through federal litigation to invalidate these regulations on the grounds that greenhouse gas standards are functionally equivalent to fuel economy standards and thus preempted by the federal fuel economy law and/or the federal Clean Air Act.  Issues associated with greenhouse gas regulation are discussed more fully in the "Motor Vehicle Fuel Economy" section below.

Since 1990, the California program has included requirements for manufacturers to produce and deliver for sale zero-emission vehicles ("ZEVs"), which emit no regulated pollutants.  Typically, the only vehicles capable of meeting these requirements are battery-powered vehicles, which have had narrow consumer appeal due to their limited range, reduced functionality, and high cost.

The ZEV mandate initially required that a specified percentage of each manufacturer's vehicles produced for sale in California be ZEVs.  Over time, the regulations were modified to reflect the fact that the development of battery-electric technology progressed at a slower pace than anticipated by CARB.  In 2003, CARB adopted amendments to the ZEV mandate that shifted the near-term focus of the regulation away from battery-electric vehicles to advanced-technology vehicles (e.g., hybrid electric vehicles or natural gas vehicles) with extremely low tailpipe emissions.  The rules also give some credit for so-called "partial zero-emission vehicles" ("PZEVs"), which can be internal combustion engine vehicles certified to very low tailpipe emissions and zero evaporative emissions.  In addition, the rules provide a compliance path pursuant to which the auto industry would need to produce specified numbers of zero-emission fuel cell vehicles.  In the aggregate, the rules call for production by the industry of 250 zero-emission fuel cell vehicles by the 2008 model year, 2,500 more in the 2009-2011 model-year period, and 25,000 more in the 2012-2014 model-year period.

Although the 2003 amendments appear to reflect a recognition by CARB that battery-electric vehicles do not currently have the potential to achieve widespread consumer acceptance, the rules still require manufacturers to produce a substantial number of either battery-electric or fuel cell vehicles in the 2012 model year and beyond.  There are substantial questions about the feasibility of producing the required number of zero-emission fuel cell vehicles, due to the substantial engineering challenges and high costs associated with this technology.  It is also doubtful whether the market will support the number of required ZEVs.  Due to the engineering challenges, the high cost of the technology, infrastructure needs, and other issues, it does not appear that mass production of fuel cell vehicles will be commercially feasible for years to come.

In accordance with CARB's ZEV regulations, a panel of independent experts undertook a review of the feasibility of the ZEV requirements and issued its findings in 2007.  The panel found that both battery-electric and fuel cell vehicles will be in a pre-commercial stage through 2015, and that they are not likely to be produced in large volumes in that time frame due to issues of technology and cost.  Partially in response to the panel's findings, CARB finalized a set of revisions to its ZEV regulations in February 2009.  For the 2012-2014 model years, the modifications reduce the number of fuel cell and/or battery-electric vehicles necessary to satisfy the regulations, but this reduction must be offset by the production of a substantial number of plug-in hybrid vehicles or hydrogen internal combustion vehicles instead.  For the 2015 model year and beyond, CARB has directed a complete overhaul of its ZEV, LEV, and greenhouse gas ("GHG") regulations.  Some current elements of the ZEV program (e.g., requirements to build low-emissions vehicles with zero evaporative emissions) will be transferred to the LEV or GHG programs.  The ZEV program will focus exclusively on battery-electric, fuel cell, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen internal combustion engine technologies, and the regulations are likely to require manufacturers to produce ever-increasing numbers of vehicles with these technologies.  Compliance with the ZEV mandate will require costly actions that could have a substantial adverse effect on our sales volume and profits, depending on consumer acceptance of the vehicles and the cost and availability of ZEV components, among other things.

The Clean Air Act permits other states that do not meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards ("NAAQS") to adopt California's motor vehicle emissions standards no later than two years before the affected model year. In addition to California, fourteen states, primarily located in the Northeast and Northwest, have adopted the California standards (including California's greenhouse gas provisions). Twelve of these states also adopted the ZEV requirements. These fourteen states, together with California, account for more than 30% of Ford's current light-duty vehicle sales volume in the United States. More states are in the process of adopting or considering adoption of the California standards. As a result of EPA's 2006 NAAQS regulation, many new states are eligible to adopt California emissions standards (see additional discussion in "Stationary Source Emissions Control" below). Unfortunately, there are problems inherent in transferring California standards to other states, including the following: 1) managing fleet average emissions standards and ZEV mandate requirements on a state-by-state basis presents a major challenge to automobile company distribution systems; 2) market acceptance of some ZEVs varies from state to state, depending on weather and other factors; and 3) the states adopting the California program have not adopted California's clean fuel regulations, which may impair the ability of vehicles in other states to meet California's in-use standards.
 
 
12

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


U.S. Requirements – Warranty, Recall, and On-Board Diagnostics.  The Clean Air Act permits the EPA and CARB to require manufacturers to recall and repair non-conforming vehicles (which may be identified by testing or analysis done by the manufacturer, the EPA or CARB), and we may voluntarily stop shipment of or recall non-conforming vehicles.  The costs of related repairs or inspections associated with such recalls, or a stop-shipment order, could be substantial.  In December 2007, CARB finalized a new set of regulations governing warranty reporting and field actions.  The new rules provide for mandatory remedial action (typically either recall or an extended warranty) if warranty claims and failure rates on emissions-related components reach specified thresholds, even if the vehicles in the field continue to comply with all applicable emissions standards.  CARB's decision to disconnect field action decisions from the emissions performance of the vehicles was unprecedented, and in January 2008 an aftermarket trade association initiated litigation seeking to overturn certain aspects of the new regulations.  In March 2008, the Engine Manufacturers Association, of which we are a member, initiated litigation challenging CARB's authority to disconnect emissions performance from field action decisions and other related claims.  These lawsuits were subsequently merged.  In December 2008, the Superior Court of Los Angeles, California overturned these regulations, holding that the disconnect between field action and emissions performance was impermissible.  The court also held that extended warranties could continue to be utilized in lieu of recalls where appropriate and mutually agreed to by CARB.  CARB has until June 2009 to correct its regulations in accordance with the court decision.  No appeal has been filed.

Both CARB and the EPA also have adopted on-board diagnostic ("OBD") regulations, which require a vehicle to monitor its emissions control system and notify the vehicle operator (via the "check engine" light) of any malfunction.  These regulations have become extremely complicated, and require substantial engineering resources to create compliant systems.  CARB's OBD rules for vehicles under 14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight include a variety of requirements that phase in between the 2006 and 2010 model years.  CARB also has adopted engine manufacturer diagnostic requirements for heavy-duty gasoline and diesel engines that apply to the 2007 to 2009 model years, and additional OBD requirements for vehicles over 14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight in model years 2010 and beyond.  The EPA's OBD rules are generally less stringent than CARB's, so manufacturers typically design for compliance with CARB's requirements in order to avoid designing two systems.  The complexity of the OBD requirements and the difficulties of meeting all of the monitoring conditions and thresholds make OBD approval one of the most challenging aspects of certifying vehicles for emissions compliance.  CARB regulations provide for automatic recalls of vehicles that fail to comply with specified OBD requirements.  In addition, many other states have implemented OBD tests as part of their inspection and maintenance programs.  Failure of in-service compliance tests could lead to vehicle recalls with substantial costs for related inspections or repairs.

European Requirements.  European Union ("EU") directives and related legislation limit the amount of regulated pollutants that may be emitted by new motor vehicles and engines sold in the EU.  Stringent new emissions standards ("Stage IV Standards") were applied to new passenger car certifications beginning January 1, 2005, and to new passenger car registrations beginning January 1, 2006.  The comparable light commercial truck Stage IV Standards went into effect for new certifications beginning January 1, 2006, and for new registrations beginning January 1, 2007.  This directive on emissions also introduced OBD requirements, more stringent evaporative emissions requirements, and in-service compliance testing and recall provisions for emissions-related defects that occur in the first five years or 80,000 kilometers of vehicle life (extended to 100,000 kilometers in 2005).  Failure of in-service compliance tests could lead to vehicle recalls with substantial costs for related inspections or repairs.  The Stage IV Standards for diesel engines have proven technologically difficult and precluded manufacturers from offering some products in time to be eligible for certain government incentive programs.

The EU commenced a program in 2004 to determine the specifics for further changes to vehicle emission standards, and in 2007 the European Commission published a proposed law for Stage V/VI emissions.  The law would further restrict the amount of particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel engines, and tighten some regulations for gasoline engines.  Stage V emissions requirements will be introduced beginning in September 2009 for vehicle registrations beginning in 2011, and Stage VI requirements will apply beginning in September 2014.  Both Stages V and VI will require the deployment of particulate trap technology, and Stage VI will require additional after-treatment for nitrogen oxides.  These technology requirements will add cost and further erode the fuel economy cost/benefit advantage of diesel vehicles.

 
13

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


Particle number measurement has been introduced for diesel vehicles beginning with calendar year 2011, and for gasoline vehicles from Stage V.  Stage V gasoline particle number limit values and all Stage V OBD thresholds have yet to be established by the Commission; proposed regulations are expected to be introduced in 2010.  Vehicles equipped with Selective Catalyst Reduction systems require a driver inducement and warning system to prevent the vehicle being operated for a significant period of time if the reductant (urea) dosing tank is empty.  The Stage V/VI emission legislation also mandated the internet provision of all repair information (not just emissions-related).

Other National Requirements.  Many countries, in an effort to address air quality concerns, are adopting previous versions of European or United Nations Economic Commission for Europe mobile source emissions regulations.  Some countries have adopted more advanced regulations based on the most recent version of European or U.S. regulations; for example, China has adopted the most recent European standards to be implemented in the 2008-2010 timeframe.  Korea and Taiwan have adopted very stringent U.S.-based standards for gasoline vehicles, and European-based standards for diesel vehicles.  Because fleet average requirements do not apply, some vehicle emissions control systems may have to be redesigned to meet the requirements in these markets.  Furthermore, not all of these countries have adopted appropriate fuel quality standards to accompany the stringent emissions standards adopted.  This could lead to compliance problems, particularly if OBD or in-use surveillance requirements are implemented.  Japan has unique standards and test procedures, and is considering more stringent standards for implementation in 2009.  This may require unique emissions control systems be designed for the Japanese market.  Canadian criteria emissions regulations are aligned with U.S. federal Tier 2 requirements.

Stationary Source Emissions Control

U.S. Requirements.  In the United States, the federal Clean Air Act also requires the EPA to identify "hazardous air pollutants" from various industries and promulgate rules restricting their emission.  The EPA has issued final rules for a variety of industrial categories, several of which would further regulate emissions from our U.S. operations, including engine testing, automobile surface coating, and iron casting.  These technology-based standards require some of our facilities to reduce their air emissions significantly.  Additional programs under the Clean Air Act, including Compliance Assurance Monitoring and periodic monitoring, could require our facilities to install additional emission monitoring equipment.  The cost of complying with these requirements could be substantial.

The Clean Air Act also requires the EPA to periodically review and update its NAAQS, and to designate whether counties or other local areas are in compliance with the new standards.  If an area or county does not meet the new standards ("non-attainment areas"), the state must revise its implementation plans to achieve attainment.  In 2006, the EPA issued a final rule revising the NAAQS for particulate matter increasing the stringency of the standard for fine particulate matter (particles 2.5 micrometers in diameter or less), while maintaining the existing standard for coarse particulate matter (particles between 2.5 and 10 micrometers in diameter).  The EPA estimates that the new standard will put approximately 124 counties into non-attainment status for fine particulate matter.   Various parties filed petitions for review of the final particulate matter rules in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in most cases seeking more stringent standards for both fine and coarse particulate matter.  The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (the "Alliance," an industry trade group including BMW Group, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen) intervened to oppose further changes to the EPA's final rule.  The case was argued in September 2008; no ruling has yet been issued.

In March 2008, the EPA promulgated rules setting a new ozone NAAQS at a level more stringent than the pre-existing standard.  The EPA estimates that as a result of the new standard, the number of counties out of attainment for the ozone NAAQS could increase by 300%.  A number of states and environmental groups have filed suit seeking to compel EPA to issue an even more stringent ozone standard.  An industry coalition (not including the Alliance) has intervened in support of the ozone standard as promulgated by the EPA.

Even under the particulate matter and ozone NAAQS as revised by the EPA, the new non-attainment areas will need to revise their implementation plans to require additional emissions control equipment and impose more stringent permit requirements on facilities in those areas.  The existence of additional non-attainment areas can also lead to increased pressure for more stringent mobile source emissions standards as well.  The cost of complying with the requirements necessary to help bring non-attainment areas into compliance with the revised NAAQS could be substantial.
 
 
14

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


European Requirements.  In Europe, environmental legislation is driven by EU law, in most cases in the form of EU directives that must be converted into national legislation.  All of our European plants are located in the EU region, with the exception of one in St. Petersburg, Russia, and Ford Otosan.  One of the core EU directives is the Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention Control ("IPPC").  The IPPC regulates the permit process for facilities, and thus the allowed emissions from these facilities.  As in the United States, engine testing, surface coating, casting operations, and boiler houses all fall under this regime.  The Solvent Emission Directive which came into effect in October 2007 primarily affects vehicle manufacturing plants, which must upgrade their paint shops to meet the new requirements.  The cost of complying with these requirements could be substantial.

The European Emission Trading Scheme requires large emitters of carbon dioxide within the EU to monitor and annually report CO2 emissions, and each is obliged every year to return an amount of emission allowances to the government that is equivalent to its CO2 emissions in that year.  The impact of this regulation on Ford Europe primarily involves our on-site combustion plants, and we expect that compliance with this regulation may be costly as the system foresees stringent CO2 emission reductions in progressive stages.  Periodic emission reporting also is required of EU Member States, in most cases defined in the permits of the facility.  The Release and Transfer Register requires more reporting regarding emissions into air, water and soil than its precursor.  The information required by these reporting systems is publicly available on the Internet.

Motor Vehicle Safety

U.S. Requirements.  The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (the "Safety Act") regulates motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment in the United States in two primary ways.  First, the Safety Act prohibits the sale in the United States of any new vehicle or equipment that does not conform to applicable motor vehicle safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA").  Meeting or exceeding many safety standards is costly, in part because the standards tend to conflict with the need to reduce vehicle weight in order to meet emissions and fuel economy standards.  Second, the Safety Act requires that defects related to motor vehicle safety be remedied through safety recall campaigns.  A manufacturer is obligated to recall vehicles if it determines that the vehicles do not comply with a safety standard.  Should we or NHTSA determine that either a safety defect or a noncompliance exists with respect to any of our vehicles, the cost of such recall campaigns could be substantial.  As of January 14, 2009, there were pending before NHTSA six investigations relating to alleged safety defects or potential compliance issues in our vehicles.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users ("SAFETEA-LU") was signed into law in 2005.  SAFETEA-LU establishes a number of substantive, safety-related rulemaking mandates for NHTSA which have already resulted in or are to result in new regulations and product content requirements.  Established regulations include window sticker safety ratings ("Stars on Cars" ratings) and regulations that affect power window switches, door retention and side-impact protection.  NHTSA has not yet established required regulations that will affect ejection mitigation, rollover prevention, and roof strength.

The Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation Act (the "TREAD Act") was signed into law in November 2000.  The TREAD Act required NHTSA to establish several regulations, including reporting requirements for motor vehicle manufacturers on foreign recalls and certain information received by the manufacturer that may assist the agency in the early identification of safety defects.  Various groups have challenged the categorical determination by NHTSA that certain areas of data, including warranty claim information, field reports, and consumer complaint information, were granted a presumption of confidentiality under the TREAD Act early warning reporting requirements.  Since that time, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ruled that, while NHTSA had the authority to make these categorical determinations, it did not provide adequate public notice and opportunity to comment in so doing.  NHTSA addressed this issue in a final rule published on October 18, 2007 that re-established class distinctions.  In September 2008, NHTSA began publishing non-confidential TREAD data to the public.

The Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007 (Kids and Cars Safety Act) passed into law in 2008 mandates that NHTSA enact regulations related to rearward visibility and brake-to-shift interlock, and mandates that NHTSA consider regulations related to automatic reversal functions on power windows.  The cost to comply with these requirements may be substantial.

Foreign Requirements.  Canada, the EU, and countries in South America, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific markets also have safety standards and regulations applicable to motor vehicles, and are likely to adopt additional or more stringent requirements in the future.  Recent examples of such legislation for the EU include an increase in the scope and severity of the already existing pedestrian protection legislation, the introduction of a requirement that all vehicles include mandatory dedicated daytime running lamps for new vehicle types as of 2011, and a general trend to extend the scope of passenger car regulations from 2500 kilograms ("kg") up to 3500 kg gross vehicle mass.  Global Technical Regulations ("GTRs") developed under the auspices of the United Nations ("UN") continue to have increasing impact on automotive safety activities.  In 2008, GTRs on Electronic Stability Control, Head Restraints, and Pedestrian Protection were each adopted by the UN "World Forum for the Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations," and are now in different stages of national implementation.  While global harmonization is fundamentally supported by the auto industry in order to reduce complexity, national implementation yet may introduce subtle differences into the system.  South American examples of more stringent safety requirements include more severe impact requirements being developed in Brazil, the planned adoption of mandatory driver and passenger frontal airbags in Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador, and the introduction of mandatory antilock braking system in Argentina and Brazil.  Canadian safety legislation and regulations are similar to those in the United States, and the differences that do exist generally have not prevented the production of common product for both markets.  Recent amendments to Canadian standards have incorporated United Nations Economic Commission for Europe standards as a compliance option, where equivalency exists.  The possibility of more stringent or different requirements exists.
 
 
15

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


Motor Vehicle Fuel Economy

Ford's ability to comply with CAFE or greenhouse gas emissions standards depends heavily on the alignment of those standards with actual consumer demand, as well as adequate lead time to make the necessary product changes.  Ford has plans to increase the fuel economy of its vehicles through the deployment of various fuel-saving technologies, some of which have been announced publicly, and through a shift in its fleet mix toward smaller and lighter vehicles.  Even given these plans, there are limits on Ford's ability to achieve required fuel economy increases in its vehicles in a given time frame.  These limits relate to the costs and effectiveness of the available technologies; consumer acceptance of the new technologies and of changes in fleet mix; the willingness of consumers to absorb the additional costs of new technologies; the appropriateness (or lack thereof) of certain technologies for use in particular vehicles; and the human and engineering resources necessary to deploy new technologies across a wide range of products and powertrains in a short time.

The ongoing economic downturn may affect Ford's ability to absorb the costs of deploying new fuel-efficient technologies.  Another variable is fluctuation in fuel prices.  Consumers are more likely to pay for vehicles with fuel-efficient technologies when fuel prices are relatively high, as was the case in mid-2008; when fuel prices are relatively low as they were toward the end of 2008, the extent of consumer demand for such technologies is less clear.  If consumers demand vehicles that are relatively large, have high performance, and/or are feature-laden, while regulatory standards require the production of vehicles that are smaller and more economical, the mismatch of supply and demand would have an adverse effect on both regulatory compliance and our profitability.  Moreover, if regulatory requirements call for rapid, substantial increases in fleet average fuel economy (or decreases in fleet average greenhouse gas emissions), we may not have adequate resources and time to make major product changes across most or all of our vehicle fleet (assuming the necessary technology can be developed).

U.S. Requirements – Federal Standards.  Federal law requires that vehicles meet minimum corporate average fuel economy standards set by NHTSA.  A manufacturer is subject to potentially substantial civil penalties if it fails to meet the CAFE standard in any model year, after taking into account all available credits for the preceding three model years and expected credits for the three succeeding model years.

Federal law established a passenger car CAFE standard of 27.5 miles per gallon for 1985 and later model years; light truck standards are set by NHTSA under a rulemaking process.  In 2006, NHTSA issued a final rule changing the structure of the light-truck fuel economy standards for model year 2008 and beyond.  The final rule employs a new "reformed" approach to fuel economy standards in which each manufacturer's CAFE obligation is based on the specific mix of vehicles it sells.  A manufacturer's light truck CAFE is now calculated on a basis that relates fuel economy targets to vehicle size.  These fuel economy targets become increasingly stringent with each new model year.  Through 2010, manufacturers have the option of complying with the "reformed" program or an alternative set of "unreformed" standards promulgated by NHTSA.  Beginning with the 2011 model year, all manufacturers must comply under the reformed program.  Also in model year 2011 and beyond, the truck CAFE standards will apply for the first time to certain classes of heavier passenger vehicles (SUVs and passenger vans with a gross vehicle weight between 8,500 and 10,000 pounds, or with a gross vehicle weight below 8,500 pounds and a curb weight above 6,000 pounds).

 
16

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


In December 2007, Congress enacted new energy legislation restructuring the CAFE program and requiring NHTSA to set new CAFE standards beginning with the 2011 model year.  The key features of the bill are as follows:  1) it maintains the current distinction between cars and trucks; 2) it requires NHTSA to set "reformed" CAFE standards for cars along the lines of the reformed truck standards described above; 3) it calls for NHTSA to set car and truck standards such that the combined fleet of cars and trucks in the United States achieves a 35 mile per gallon fleet average by model year 2020; 4) it allows manufacturers to trade credits among their CAFE fleets; and 5) it retains CAFE credits for the manufacture of flexible-fuel vehicles, but phases them out by model year 2020.  Domestic passenger cars also are subject to a minimum fleet average of the greater of 27.5 miles per gallon or 92% of NHTSA's projected fleet average fuel economy for domestic and imported passenger cars for that model year.

In April 2008, NHTSA issued a proposed rule setting forth CAFE standards for cars and light trucks for the 2011-2015 model years.  The proposed standards were based on the "reformed" approach to CAFE as required by Congress.  The proposal entailed a significantly more rapid rate of increase in fuel economy than past NHTSA rulemakings on CAFE.  The proposed rule also contained new provisions on credit trading, intra-company credit transfers between fleets, and incentives for the production of flexible fuel vehicles, among other things.  The proposed rule went through a notice-and-comment process, and NHTSA was expected to issue a final rule at the end of 2008.  However, the Bush Administration ultimately decided not to issue a final rule and to let the incoming Obama Administration complete the rulemaking process.

Pressure to increase CAFE standards stems in part from concerns about the impact of carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions on the global climate.  In 1999, a petition was filed with the EPA requesting that it regulate carbon dioxide emissions from motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act.  This is functionally equivalent to imposing fuel economy standards, since the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a vehicle is directly proportional to the amount of fuel consumed.  The petitioners later filed suit in an effort to compel a formal response from the EPA.  In August 2003, the EPA denied the petition on the grounds that the Clean Air Act does not authorize the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and only NHTSA is authorized to regulate fuel economy under the CAFE law.  A number of states, cities, and environmental groups filed for review of the EPA's decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  A coalition of states and industry trade groups, including the Alliance, intervened in support of the EPA's decision.  In July 2005, the Court held that the EPA had exercised reasonable discretion in determining not to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant.

The matter was appealed, and in April 2007 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that GHGs constitute "air pollutants" subject to regulation pursuant to the Clean Air Act.  The ruling did not specifically require the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases; rather, it directed the EPA to either issue an "endangerment" finding pursuant to the Clean Air Act (that greenhouse gases endanger public health or welfare), or explain why it could not or would not do so.  In the wake of this ruling, the Bush Administration announced its intention to promulgate new federal rules regulating greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.  President Bush signed an Executive Order directing the Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, and the EPA to cooperate in this effort.

In July 2008, the EPA released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ("ANPR") related to the potential regulation of GHGs under the Clean Air Act.  The ANPR sought public comment on the appropriateness of a finding by EPA that GHGs "endanger" public health and welfare, and on the ramifications of such a finding.  The ANPR included a lengthy discussion of potential regulatory programs under the Clean Air Act that EPA might implement to reduce GHG emissions from both mobile and stationary sources.  With respect to mobile sources, EPA sought comment on the possibility of setting long-term, fleet-average CO2 standards for motor vehicles, which would be the functional equivalent of establishing fuel economy standards.  Depending on the level of stringency, motor vehicle GHG standards could effectively supplant any CAFE standards set by NHTSA.  The ANPR also discussed the possibility of establishing a cap-and-trade system to reduce mobile source GHG emissions.  The ANPR addressed potential stationary source regulations as well.  A wide range of groups have filed comments on the ANPR; the task of reviewing the comments and determining what action to take has been left to the Obama Administration.  At the time the ANPR was released, the Bush Administration made it clear that the regulatory proposals outlined in the ANPR did not represent Administration policy, primarily because of the burdensome nature of the proposals and their potential adverse effect on the U.S. economy.

U.S. Requirements – California and Other State Standards.  In July 2002, California enacted Assembly Bill 1493 ("AB 1493"), a law mandating that CARB promulgate GHG standards for light-duty vehicles beginning with model year 2009.  In September 2004, CARB adopted California GHG emissions regulations applicable to 2009-2016 model-year cars and trucks, effectively imposing more stringent fuel economy standards than those set by NHTSA.  These regulations impose standards that are equivalent to a CAFE standard of more than 43 miles per gallon for passenger cars and small trucks, and approximately 27 miles per gallon for large light trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles by model year 2016.  The Alliance and individual companies (including Ford) submitted comments opposing the rules and addressing errors in CARB's underlying economic and technical analyses.
 
 
17

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


Whenever California adopts new or modified vehicle emissions standards, the state must apply to the EPA for a waiver of preemption of the new or modified standards under Section 209 of the Clean Air Act.  Since the AB 1493 rules were adopted by California as "emissions" rules under the Clean Air Act, they require this waiver of federal preemption.  In March 2008, EPA published a decision formally denying California's request for a waiver of preemption.  California has challenged that decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  The court has set a briefing schedule pursuant to which briefing on the petition will be concluded by March 2009; no date for oral argument has been set.  In January 2009, California submitted a petition for reconsideration of the March 2008 waiver denial, and President Obama issued a memorandum directing the EPA to revisit the waiver decision.  The EPA has initiated a new notice-and-comment process as part of its reconsideration of the waiver.  It is also likely that the federal government will seek a stay of the ongoing D.C. Circuit litigation over the March 2008 waiver denial while it reconsiders the waiver request.

In addition to the question of Clean Air Act preemption, which is being addressed through the EPA's waiver decision and the ensuing litigation, there is also the question of preemption of the AB 1493 standards by the federal CAFE law.  CAFE prohibits states from enacting or enforcing regulations "related to" fuel economy when federal standards are in effect.  In December 2004, the Alliance and other plaintiffs (several automobile dealers, two individual automobile manufacturers, and another automotive trade association) filed suit in federal district court in California, seeking to overturn the AB 1493 standards.  The suit challenges the regulation on several bases, including preemption under the federal CAFE law.  In 2008, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California issued a final judgment holding that:  i) California is enjoined from enforcing AB 1493 regulations in the absence of an EPA waiver; and ii) the federal CAFE law does not preempt California from regulating motor vehicle GHGs.  Plaintiffs appealed the second ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and briefing on the appeal is underway.

Other states have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, CARB's GHG standards.  These states include New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Washington, Maryland, New Mexico, Florida, and Arizona.  Several other states are known to be considering the adoption of such rules.

The Alliance, along with other plaintiffs, filed suit in federal court in Vermont and Rhode Island challenging those states' adoption of California's AB 1493 rules.  The Vermont case went to trial in April 2007.  In September 2007, the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont upheld Vermont's GHG rules, finding that they were not preempted by federal fuel economy law.  Specifically, the court held that the state GHG rules were insulated from a preemption challenge because they were subject to a waiver process under the federal Clean Air Act.  The court also held that, even if questions of federal preemption were applicable, the GHG rules should be upheld because some portions of the regulations give credit for vehicle modifications that do not relate specifically to improving fleet average fuel economy.  The Alliance is appealing the District Court's decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; briefing has been completed and we are awaiting oral argument.  In the Rhode Island case, the District Court recently issued a ruling dismissing the claims of the automobile trade association and automobile manufacturer plaintiffs on collateral estoppel grounds; the dealer plaintiffs remain in the case.  The trade associations and manufacturers are seeking an immediate appeal of the collateral estoppel ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

In September 2006, California also enacted the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (also known as Assembly Bill 32 ("AB 32")).  This law mandates that statewide GHG emissions be capped at 1990 levels by the year 2020, which would represent a significant reduction from current levels.  It also requires the monitoring and annual reporting of GHG emissions by all "significant" sources, and delegates authority to CARB to develop and implement GHG emissions reduction measures.  AB 32 also provides that, if the AB 1493 standards do not take effect, CARB must implement alternative regulations to control mobile sources of GHG emissions to achieve equivalent or greater reductions than mandated by AB 1493.  Although the full ramifications of AB 32 are not known, CARB has initiated a rulemaking process under AB 32 to develop so-called "Cool Car Standards."  The program is intended to set minimum standards for reflectivity of automotive paints and glass.  The goal is to promote lower interior temperatures in vehicles, thereby reducing the air conditioning load and leading to fewer GHG emissions.  The automobile industry has concerns about the availability of paints and coatings to meet the reflectivity standards, along with the safety implications of the standards.  CARB is expected to issue a final rule by the spring of 2009.
 
 
18

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


The recent developments with respect to anticipated new CAFE standards, potential EPA GHG standards for motor vehicles, and state-level attempts to impose GHG standards on automobiles pose very significant concerns for us.  These regulatory initiatives have the potential to impose three different competing and conflicting regimes of fuel economy standards.  Compliance with all three, or even two, of these regimes would at best add enormous complexity to our planning processes, and at worst be virtually impossible.  The CAFE standards proposed by NHTSA in 2008 represented a significant challenge in and of themselves, but if NHTSA builds upon its history of setting tough but reasonable CAFE standards based on a consideration of technological feasibility and economic practicability, we believe it is likely that  the new federal CAFE standards can be workable, albeit costly, within our business limitations.  It is highly questionable whether we could accommodate an additional layer of GHG regulations imposed by EPA under the Clean Air Act, which has a much more onerous certification and enforcement regime than the CAFE law.  Finally, California's AB 1493 rules seek to impose stringent, state-specific requirements that are not workable within our current business limitations.

If any of one these regulatory regimes, or a combination of them, impose and enforce extreme fuel economy or GHG standards, we likely would be forced to take various actions that could have substantial adverse effects on our sales volume and profits.  Such actions likely would include restricting offerings of selected engines and popular options; increasing market support programs for our most fuel-efficient cars and light trucks in order to maintain compliance; and ultimately curtailing the production and sale of certain vehicles such as family-size, luxury, and high-performance cars, SUVs and "crossover" vehicles, and full-size light trucks, in order to maintain compliance.  These actions might need to occur on a state-by-state basis, in response to the AB 1493 rules, or they may need to be taken at the national level if either the CAFE standards or the EPA GHG standards are excessively stringent.  We believe it is critical that policymakers work toward a single, nationwide set of fuel economy/GHG standards that achieve desired levels of fuel economy improvement and GHG reductions in a workable fashion.

See "Item 3. Legal Proceedings" for a discussion of the public nuisance litigation filed by the state of California against automobile manufacturers for alleged global warming damages.  Though that suit has been dismissed by the trial court, California's Attorney General has filed an appeal.  If California were to prevail in this litigation, it could encourage similar suits in other states and municipalities.  A judgment against defendants also could result in the imposition of judicially-mandated standards for GHG emissions that could arguably supersede or augment existing fuel economy requirements; such a result could compel us to implement product restrictions and/or other costly actions as outlined above.

European Requirements.  The EU is a party to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and has agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by eight percent below 1990 levels during the 2008-2012 period.  In 1998, the EU agreed to support an environmental agreement with the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association ("ACEA," of which Ford is a member) on carbon dioxide emission reductions from new passenger cars (the "ACEA Agreement").  The ACEA Agreement established an emissions target of 140 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer ("g/km") for the average of new cars sold in the EU by the ACEA's members in 2008.  It is presumed that the industry has not achieved the 140 g/km target due to a number of factors, including consumer demand and the challenges associated with implementing various fuel-saving technologies.

In December 2008, the EU approved a regulation of passenger car carbon dioxide beginning in 2012 which limits the industry fleet average to a maximum of 130 g/km, using a sliding scale based on vehicle weight.  This regulation provides different targets for each manufacturer based on its respective fleet of vehicles according to vehicle weight and carbon dioxide output.  Limited credits are available for CO2 off-cycle actions ("eco-innovations"), certain alternative fuels, and vehicles with CO2 emissions below 50 g/km.  For manufacturers failing to meet targets, a penalty system will apply with fees ranging from €3 to €95 per each g/km shortfall in the years 2012-18, and €95 for each g/km shortfall for 2019.  Manufacturers would be permitted to use a pooling agreement between wholly-owned brands to share the burden.  Further pooling agreements between different manufacturers are also possible, although it is not clear that they will be of much practical benefit under the regulations.  For 2020, an industry target of 95 g/km has been set.  This target will be further detailed in a review in 2013.

In separate legislation, so-called "complementary measures" are expected.  These may include, for example, tire-related requirements, and requirements related to gearshift indicators, fuel economy indicators, and more efficient low-CO2 mobile air conditioning systems.  These proposals are likely to be finalized in 2009-10.  The European Commission has indicated that possible targets for commercial light duty vehicles may be around 160 g/km to 175 g/km, with specific legislative proposals expected this year.
 
 
19

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


Some European countries have implemented or are still considering other initiatives for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from motor vehicles, including fiscal measures.  For example, the United Kingdom introduced a vehicle excise duty and company car taxation based on carbon dioxide emissions in 2001, and other member states such as France, Portugal and Germany have adopted or announced their intention to adopt carbon dioxide-based taxes for passenger cars.  The EU CO2 requirements are likely to trigger further measures.

Other National Requirements.  Some Asian countries (such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan) also have adopted fuel efficiency targets.  For example, Japan has fuel efficiency targets for 2015 which are even more stringent than the 2010 targets, with incentives for early adoption.  China implemented second-stage fuel economy targets from 2008, and is working on the third stage for 2012 phase-in.  All of these fuel efficiency targets will impact the cost of technology of our models in the future.

Following considerable discussion, the Canadian automobile industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") dated April 5, 2005 with the Canadian government in which the industry voluntarily committed to reduce the growth in greenhouse gas emissions from the Canadian vehicle fleet by 5.3 megatons ("Mt") by 2010 (which slightly exceeds the government's 5.2 Mt target under its Kyoto Protocol Climate Change Action Plan).  The Canadian federal government has issued the Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Standards Act, which calls for new fuel economy standards beginning with the 2011 model year.  The standards are likely to track the new CAFE standards in the United States, although it is possible that Canada may consider increasing the stringency of the standards based on the fleet mix in Canada.  Several provinces, including British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island, have publicly announced their intention to impose greenhouse gas standards at the provincial level, likely modeled after California's AB 1493 standards.  Such regulations are likely to go into effect if California receives a waiver of preemption in the United States.

Chemical Regulation

U.S. Requirements.  Several states are considering moving beyond a substance-by-substance approach to managing substances of concern, and are moving towards adopting green chemistry legislation that give state governments broad regulatory authority to determine, prioritize, and manage toxic substances.  In 2008, California became the first state to enact a broad Green Chemistry Program, which will commence regulations in 2011.  This new law may impose new vehicle end-of-life responsibilities on vehicle manufacturers, and restrict, ban, or require labeling of certain substances.  This broad authority to regulate substances could require changes in product chemistry, and greater complication of fleet mix.

European Requirements.  The European Commission has implemented its regulatory framework for a single system to register, evaluate, and authorize the use of chemicals with a production volume above one ton per year ("REACH").  The rules took effect on June 1, 2007, with a preparatory period through June 1, 2008 followed by a six-month pre-registration phase.  Compliance with the legislation is likely to be administratively burdensome for all entities in the supply chain, and research and development resources may be redirected from "market-driven" to "REACH-driven" activities.  We and our suppliers have pre-registered those chemicals that were identified to fall within this requirement.  The regulation also will accelerate restriction or banning of certain chemicals and materials, which could increase the costs of certain products and processes used to manufacture vehicles and parts.  We are implementing and ensuring compliance within Ford and our suppliers through a common strategy together with the global automotive industry.

Pollution Control Costs

During the period 2009 through 2013, we expect to spend approximately $237 million on our North American and European facilities to comply with stationary source air and water pollution and hazardous waste control standards which are now in effect or are scheduled to come into effect during this period.  Of this total, we currently estimate spending approximately $44 million in 2009 and $48 million in 2010.  These amounts exclude projections for Jaguar Land Rover operations, which were sold as of June 2, 2008.  Specific environmental expenses are difficult to isolate because expenditures may be made for more than one purpose, making precise classification difficult.

 
20

 

ITEM 1. Business (continued)


EMPLOYMENT DATA

The approximate number of individuals employed by us and our consolidated entities (including entities we do not control) at December 31, 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in thousands):

   
2008
   
2007
 
Automotive
           
Ford North America
    79       94  
Ford South America
    15       14  
Ford Europe
    70       68  
Volvo
    24       26  
Ford Asia Pacific Africa
    15       17  
Jaguar Land Rover*
          16  
Financial Services
               
Ford Credit
    10       11  
Total
    213       246  
__________
*
As reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2008, we completed the sale of Jaguar Land Rover operations on June 2, 2008.

The year-over-year decrease in employment levels primarily reflects the sale of Jaguar Land Rover operations during 2008, as well as our implementation of personnel-reduction programs in Ford North America.

Substantially all of the hourly employees in our Automotive operations are represented by unions and covered by collective bargaining agreements.  In the United States, approximately 99% of these unionized hourly employees in our Automotive sector are represented by the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America ("UAW" or "United Auto Workers").  Approximately two percent of our U.S. salaried employees are represented by unions.  Most hourly employees and many non-management salaried employees of our subsidiaries outside of the United States also are represented by unions.

We have entered into collective bargaining agreements with the UAW, and the National Automobile, Aerospace, Transportation and General Workers Union of Canada ("CAW").  Among other things, our agreements with the UAW and CAW provide for guaranteed wage and benefit levels throughout the term of the respective agreements, and provide for significant employment security, subject to certain conditions.  As a practical matter, these agreements may restrict our ability to close plants and divest businesses during the terms of the agreements.  Our agreements with the UAW and CAW expire on September 14, 2011.

In 2008, we negotiated new Ford collective bargaining agreements with labor unions in Argentina, Brazil, France, Mexico, New Zealand, Romania, Russia, Taiwan, and Thailand.  We also negotiated a collective bargaining agreement at our Volvo (U.S.) affiliate.  Britain and Germany began negotiations in the fourth quarter of 2008 which are expected to be completed in 2009.

Additionally, in 2009 we are or will be negotiating new collective bargaining agreements with labor unions in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Spain, Taiwan and Thailand.

 
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ITEM 1. Business (continued)


ENGINEERING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

We engage in engineering, research and development primarily to improve the performance (including fuel efficiency), safety, and customer satisfaction of our products, and to develop new products.  We also have staffs of scientists who engage in basic research.  We maintain extensive engineering, research and design centers for these purposes, including large centers in Dearborn, Michigan; Dunton, England; Gothenburg, Sweden; and Aachen and Merkenich, Germany.  Most of our engineering, research and development relates to our Automotive sector.  In general, our engineering activities that do not involve basic research or product development, such as manufacturing engineering, are excluded from our engineering, research and development charges discussed below.

During the last three years, we recorded charges to our consolidated income for engineering, research and development we sponsored in the following amounts:  $7.3 billion (2008), $7.5 billion (2007), and $7.2 billion (2006).  Any customer-sponsored research and development activities that we conduct are not material.

 
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

We have listed below (not necessarily in order of importance or probability of occurrence) the most significant risk factors applicable to us:

Continued or worsening financial crisis.  The global economy is currently facing a financial crisis and severe recession, which has led to significant pressure on Ford and the automotive industry generally. As previously disclosed in our business plan submission to Congress in December 2008 (filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 1, 2008), in this environment a number of scenarios could put severe pressure on our short- and long-term Automotive liquidity, including most importantly:  (i) a significant industry event (such as the uncontrolled bankruptcy of a major competitor or major suppliers) that causes a major disruption to our supply base or dealers, or (ii) economic decline greater than presently forecast that causes industry sales volume to decline to levels significantly below our current planning assumptions (i.e., for 2009, 10.5 million to 12.5 million units in the United States, and 12.5 million to 13.5 million units for the 19 markets we track in Europe (each including heavy and medium trucks)).

In such an event, or in response to other unanticipated circumstances, we could require additional financing.  Because the global capital and credit markets have been severely constrained, we may not be able to obtain such financing other than through government assistance.  Although the U.S. Department of Treasury has outlined an Automotive Industry Financing Program designed to prevent significant disruption of the American auto industry, we may be deemed ineligible for funding under that program or any other government funding program and, even if we did meet eligibility requirements, funding availability may be exhausted by then.  Even if we are able to obtain such financing, the government likely would impose significant restrictions on us that could adversely affect our ability to operate efficiently or effectively.  Inability to obtain additional financing in these circumstances would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

A prolonged disruption of the debt and securitization markets.  As a result of the global credit crisis, the disruption in the debt and securitization markets that began in August 2007 increased significantly in September 2008 and is continuing.  The government-sponsored programs that are intended to improve conditions in the credit markets (e.g., the Commercial Paper Funding Facility, Ford Credit's participation in which is described in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources") may not be successful in the near term.  Moreover, it is possible that the disruption could continue beyond the conclusion of the government-sponsored programs.  The government has announced additional programs, including the Federal Reserve’s Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility, but these facilities have not yet become operational, and may not provide sufficient assistance to fully reopen the securitization markets.  Due to the present global credit crisis and Ford Credit's limited access to public and private securitization markets, we expect the majority of Ford Credit's funding in 2009 will consist of eligible issuances pursuant to government-sponsored programs.  If these programs are not available or workable and the disruption in the debt and securitization markets continues, this would result in Ford Credit further reducing the amount of receivables it purchases or originates.  A significant reduction in the amount of receivables Ford Credit purchases or originates would significantly reduce its ongoing profits, and could adversely affect its ability to support the sale of Ford vehicles.  To the extent Ford Credit's ability to provide wholesale financing to our dealers or retail financing to those dealers' customers is limited, Ford's ability to sell vehicles would be adversely affected.
 
 
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ITEM 1A. Risk Factors (continued)


Further declines in industry sales volume, particularly in the United States or Europe, due to financial crisis, deepening recession, geo-political events, or other factors.  The global automotive industry is estimated to have shrunk to 68 million units in 2008, a year-over-year decline of about 3.5 million units.  In particular, industry sales volume in the United States and in the 19 European markets that we track declined suddenly and substantially in 2008 and continued at historically low levels into 2009.  For full-year 2008, industry demand for cars and trucks in the United States fell to 13.5 million units, compared with 16.5 million units in 2007, and in the 19 European markets we track fell to 16.6 million units, compared with 18.1 million units in 2007.  These declines occurred primarily in the second half of 2008, with a seasonally adjusted annual selling rate in the fourth quarter of 2008 of 10.7 million units and 14.8 million units in the United States and Europe, respectively.  The decline in sales volume in the United States during 2008 was the biggest year-over-year decline since the 1980 recession.  These sudden and substantial declines in sales volumes have contributed to unprecedented Automotive gross cash outflow ($21.2 billion) and total Company net loss ($14.7 billion) in 2008.

As discussed under the captions "Overview" and "Outlook" in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," we forecast year-over-year industry sales volume declines in many markets around the world during 2009 as a result of the ongoing global economic recession.  Because we, like other manufacturers, have a high proportion of fixed costs, relatively small changes in industry sales volume can have a substantial effect on our cash flow and overall profitability.  If industry vehicle sales were to decline significantly from our current assumptions, particularly in the United States and Europe, our financial condition and results of operations would be substantially adversely affected.  For additional discussion of economic trends, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Overview."

Decline in market share.  Our overall market share in the United States has declined in recent years, from 18% in 2004 to 14.2% in 2008.  Market share declines and resulting volume reductions in any of our major markets could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.  Although we are attempting to stabilize our market share and reduce our capacity over time through the restructuring actions described in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Overview," we cannot be certain that we will be successful.  Additional decline in market share could have a substantial adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Continued or increased price competition resulting from industry overcapacity, currency fluctuations, or other factors.  The global automotive industry is intensely competitive, with manufacturing capacity far exceeding current demand.  According to CSM Worldwide's January 2009 report, the global automotive industry is estimated to have had excess capacity of 24 million units in 2008.  Industry overcapacity has resulted in many manufacturers offering marketing incentives on vehicles in an attempt to maintain and grow market share.  These marketing incentives have included a combination of subsidized financing or leasing programs, price rebates, and other incentives.  As a result, we are not necessarily able to set our prices to offset higher costs of marketing incentives or other cost increases or the impact of adverse currency fluctuations in either the U.S. or European markets.  While we, General Motors and Chrysler each have announced plans to reduce capacity significantly, successful reductions will require the cooperation of organized labor, will take several years to complete, and only partially address the industry's overcapacity problems, particularly as industry sales volume decreased dramatically in the final months of 2008.  A continuation or increase in these trends likely would have a substantial adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

A further increase in or acceleration of market shift away from sales of trucks, SUVs, or other more profitable vehicles, particularly in the United States.  Trucks and SUVs historically have represented some of our most profitable vehicle segments, and the segments in which we have had our highest market share.  In recent years, the general shift in consumer preferences away from medium- and large-sized SUVs and trucks has adversely affected our overall market share and profitability.  A continuation or acceleration of this general shift in consumer preferences away from SUVs and trucks, or a similar shift in consumer preferences away from other more profitable vehicle sales, whether because of fuel prices, declines in the construction industry, governmental actions or incentives, or other reasons, could have a substantial adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

A return to elevated gasoline prices, as well as the potential for volatile prices or reduced availability.  A return to elevated gas prices, as well as the potential for volatility in gas prices or reduced availability of fuel, particularly in the United States, could result in further weakening of demand for relatively more profitable large and luxury car and truck models, and could increase demand for relatively less profitable small cars and trucks.  Continuation or acceleration of such a trend could have a substantial adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 
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ITEM 1A. Risk Factors (continued)


Lower-than-anticipated market acceptance of new or existing products.  Although we conduct extensive market research before launching new or refreshed vehicles, many factors both within and outside of our control affect the success of new or existing products in the marketplace.  Offering highly desirable vehicles can mitigate the risks of increasing price competition and declining demand, but vehicles that are perceived to be less desirable (whether in terms of price, quality, styling, safety, overall value, fuel efficiency, or other attributes) can exacerbate these risks.  For example, if a new model were to experience quality issues at the time of launch, the vehicle's perceived quality could be affected even after the issues had been corrected, resulting in lower sales volumes, market share, and profitability.

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and interest rates.  As a resource-intensive manufacturing operation, we are exposed to a variety of market and asset risks, including the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and interest rates.  These risks affect our Automotive and Financial Services sectors.  We monitor and manage these exposures as an integral part of our overall risk management program, which recognizes the unpredictability of markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects on our business.  Nevertheless, changes in currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and interest rates cannot always be predicted or hedged.  In addition, because of intense price competition and our high level of fixed costs, we may not be able to address such changes even if they are foreseeable.  Further, the global credit crisis and deterioration of our credit ratings have significantly reduced our ability to obtain derivatives to manage risks.  As a result, substantial unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices or interest rates could have a substantial adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  For additional discussion of currency,  commodity price and interest rate risks, see "Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk."

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.  We and certain of our competitors have substantial "legacy" costs (principally related to employee benefits), as well as a substantial amount of debt, that put each of us at a competitive disadvantage to other competitors manufacturing in the United States.  The bankruptcy, insolvency, or government-funded restructuring of such a competitor could result in that competitor gaining a significant cost or pricing advantage (by eliminating or reducing contractual obligations to unions or other parties), thereby leaving us at a competitive disadvantage, which could have a substantial adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  Similarly, we could be adversely affected if one of our competitors were acquired by, or entered into an alliance with, a stronger competitor.

In particular, two of our competitors with substantial legacy costs and debt, General Motors and Chrysler, currently are engaged in discussions concerning U.S. government-funded restructurings that, if successful, would reduce their legacy costs, align their employee benefit costs with those of other competitors, and substantially reduce their debt.  For example, the government proposal for restructuring would require that a significant portion of our competitors’ debt and post-retirement benefit obligations be converted into equity.  While we do not anticipate entering into a government-funded restructuring, we are pursuing similar restructuring actions to remain competitive.  We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in achieving these actions and, even if we were successful, the results could be dilutive to our shareholders.

Restriction on Use of Tax Attributes from Tax Law "Ownership Change."  Section 382 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code restricts the ability of a corporation that undergoes an ownership change to use its tax attributes, such as net operating losses and tax credits.  An ownership change occurs if 5% shareholders of an issuer's outstanding common stock, collectively, increase their ownership percentage by more than fifty percentage points within any three-year period.  As discussed above, we are pursuing further restructuring actions to remain competitive with General Motors and Chrysler, which are undergoing U.S. government-funded restructurings that, if successful, would reduce their legacy costs, align their employee benefit costs with those of other competitors, and substantially reduce their debt.  New shares of stock that we issue in connection with any restructuring actions we might take, could contribute to such an ownership change under U.S. tax law.  Moreover, not every event that could contribute to such an ownership change is within our control.  If a tax law ownership change were to occur, we would be at risk of having to pay cash taxes notwithstanding the existence of sizeable tax attributes.  For discussion of our financial statement treatment of deferred tax assets, including deferred tax assets related to these tax attributes, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Estimates" and Note 19 of the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 
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ITEM 1A. Risk Factors (continued)


Economic distress of suppliers that may require us to provide substantial financial support or take other measures to ensure supplies of components or materials and could increase our costs, affect our liquidity, or cause production disruptions.  Our industry is highly interdependent, with broad overlap of supplier and dealer networks among manufacturers, such that the uncontrolled bankruptcy or insolvency of a major competitor or major suppliers could threaten our supplier or dealer network and thus pose a threat to us as well.

Even in the absence of such an event, our supply base has experienced increased economic distress due to the sudden and substantial drop in industry sales volumes affecting all manufacturers.  Dramatically lower industry sales volume has made existing debt obligations and fixed cost levels difficult for many suppliers to manage, especially with the tight credit markets.

These factors have increased pressure on the supply base, and, as a result, suppliers not only have been less willing to reduce prices, but some have requested direct or indirect price increases, as well as new and shorter payment terms.  Suppliers also are exiting certain lines of business or closing facilities, which results in additional costs associated with transitioning to new suppliers and which may cause supply disruptions that could interfere with our production during any such transitional period.  In addition, in the past we have taken and may continue to take actions to provide financial assistance to certain suppliers to ensure an uninterrupted supply of materials and components.  For example, in 2005 we reacquired from Visteon 23 facilities in order to protect our supply of components.  In connection with this transaction, we forgave $1.1 billion of Visteon's liability to us for employee-related costs, and incurred a pre-tax loss of $468 million.

Single-source supply of components or materials.  Many components used in our vehicles are available only from a single supplier and cannot be quickly or inexpensively re-sourced to another supplier due to long lead times and new contractual commitments that may be required by another supplier in order to provide the components or materials.  In addition to the risks described above regarding interruption of supplies, which are exacerbated in the case of single-source suppliers, the exclusive supplier of a key component potentially could exert significant bargaining power over price, quality, warranty claims, or other terms relating to a component.

Labor or other constraints on our ability to restructure our business.  Substantially all of the hourly employees in our Automotive operations in the United States and Canada are represented by unions and covered by collective bargaining agreements.  We negotiated a new agreement with the UAW in 2007 and with the CAW in 2008, each of which expires in September 2011.  These agreements provide for guaranteed wage and benefit levels throughout their terms and significant employment security, subject to certain conditions.  As a practical matter, these agreements restrict our ability to close plants and divest businesses during the terms of the agreements.  These and other provisions within the UAW and CAW agreements may impede our ability to restructure our business successfully to compete more effectively in today's global marketplace.

Work stoppages at Ford or supplier facilities or other interruptions of supplies.  A work stoppage could occur at Ford or supplier facilities, as a result of disputes under existing collective bargaining agreements with labor unions, in connection with negotiations of new collective bargaining agreements, as a result of supplier financial distress, or for other reasons.  For example, many suppliers are experiencing financial distress due to decreasing production volume and increasing prices for raw materials, jeopardizing their ability to produce parts for us.  A work stoppage related to collective bargaining agreements or other reasons, at Ford or its suppliers, or an interruption or shortage of supplies for any other reason (including but not limited to financial distress, natural disaster, or production difficulties affecting a supplier) could substantially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Substantial pension and postretirement health care and life insurance liabilities impairing our liquidity or financial condition.  We have two principal qualified defined benefit retirement plans in the United States.  The Ford-UAW Retirement Plan covers hourly employees represented by the UAW, and the General Retirement Plan covers substantially all other Ford employees in the United States hired on or before December 31, 2003.  The hourly plan provides noncontributory benefits related to employee service.  The salaried plan provides similar noncontributory benefits and contributory benefits related to pay and service.  In addition, we and certain of our subsidiaries sponsor plans to provide other postretirement benefits for retired employees, primarily health care and life insurance benefits.  See Note 23 of the Notes to the Financial Statements for more information about these plans, including funded status.  These benefit plans impose significant liabilities on us which are not fully funded and will require additional cash contributions by us, which could impair our liquidity.
 
 
25

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors (continued)


Our U.S. defined benefit pension plans are subject to Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA").  Under Title IV of ERISA, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") has the authority under certain circumstances or upon the occurrence of certain events to terminate an underfunded pension plan.  One such circumstance is the occurrence of an event that unreasonably increases the risk of unreasonably large losses to the PBGC.  Although we believe that it is not likely that the PBGC would terminate any of our plans, in the event that our U.S. pension plans were terminated at a time when the liabilities of the plans exceeded the assets of the plans, we would incur a liability to the PBGC that could be equal to the entire amount of the underfunding.

If our cash flows and capital resources were insufficient to fund our pension or postretirement health care and life insurance obligations, we could be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, seek additional capital, or restructure or refinance our indebtedness.  In addition, if our operating results and available cash were insufficient to meet our pension or postretirement health care and life insurance obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our pension or postretirement health care and life insurance obligations.  We might not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain the proceeds that we could realize from them, and these proceeds might not be adequate to meet any pension and postretirement health care or life insurance obligations then due.
 
Inability to implement the Retiree Health Care Settlement Agreement to fund and discharge UAW hourly retiree health care obligations.  We received the necessary approvals in the third quarter of 2008 to begin implementing our Retiree Health Care Settlement Agreement (“Settlement”) to fund and discharge our obligations related to UAW hourly retiree health care through a new, external Voluntary Employee Benefit Association Trust ("VEBA").  See Note 23 of the Notes to the Financial Statements for additional discussion of the Settlement.

As discussed in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Overview," we have reached a tentative agreement with the UAW allowing us, at our option, to convert a portion of our obligations to the VEBA from a cash obligation to an equity obligation.  This tentative agreement is subject to various conditions, including ratification by active Ford UAW-represented hourly employees, court approval of the modification to the Settlement, approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of accounting treatment acceptable to us, and receipt of a prohibited transaction exemption from the U.S. Department of Labor.  A significant delay or a materially adverse result relating to any of these conditions that results in our inability to implement, or a delay in implementation of, the modification to the Settlement or the Settlement itself would adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Worse-than-assumed economic and demographic experience for our postretirement benefit plans (e.g., discount rates or investment returns).  The measurement of our obligations, costs, and liabilities associated with benefits pursuant to our postretirement benefit plans requires that we estimate the present values of projected future payments to all participants.  We use many assumptions in calculating these estimates, including assumptions related to discount rates, investment returns on designated plan assets, and demographic experience (e.g., mortality and retirement rates).  To the extent actual results are less favorable than our assumptions, there could be a substantial adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.  For additional discussion of our assumptions, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Estimates" and Note 23 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

The discovery of defects in vehicles resulting in delays in new model launches, recall campaigns, or increased warranty costs.  Meeting or exceeding many government-mandated safety standards is costly and often technologically challenging, especially where standards may conflict with the need to reduce vehicle weight in order to meet government-mandated emissions and fuel-economy standards.  Government safety standards also require manufacturers to remedy defects related to motor vehicle safety through safety recall campaigns, and a manufacturer is obligated to recall vehicles if it determines that they do not comply with a safety standard.  Should we or government safety regulators determine that a safety or other defect or a noncompliance exists with respect to certain of our vehicles prior to the start of production, the launch of such vehicle could be delayed until such defect is remedied.  The costs associated with any protracted delay in new model launches necessary to remedy such defect, or the cost of recall campaigns to remedy such defects in vehicles that have been sold, could be substantial.

Increased safety, emissions, fuel economy, or other regulation resulting in higher costs, cash expenditures, and/or sales restrictions.  The worldwide automotive industry is governed by a substantial number of governmental regulations, which often differ by state, region, and country.  In the United States, for example, governmental regulation has arisen primarily out of concern for the environment, greater vehicle safety, and a desire for improved fuel economy.  For discussion of the impact of such standards on our global business, see "Item 1. Governmental Standards."  As a result of the change in Administration and increased public focus on climate change, U.S. government regulation has increased recently and this trend may continue.  In its early days, for example, the Obama Administration announced that it would revisit the decision of the Environmental Protection Agency to deny a waiver that is necessary to permit California and other states to regulate fuel economy through greenhouse gas regulations.  If those states are permitted to impose such regulations, we would see a dramatic increase in the costs and complexity of our business over time and a decrease in our ability to sell certain vehicles, particularly highly profitable trucks and SUVs, in many jurisdictions, all of which would have an adverse affect on our financial condition and results of operations.  In addition, many governments also regulate local product content and/or impose import requirements as a means of creating jobs, protecting domestic producers, and influencing their balance of payments.  The cost of complying with these requirements can be substantial, and the requirements could have a substantial adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
26

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors (continued)


Unusual or significant litigation or governmental investigations arising out of alleged defects in our products or otherwise.  We spend substantial resources ensuring compliance with governmental safety and other standards.  Compliance with governmental standards, however, does not necessarily prevent individual or class action lawsuits, which can entail significant cost and risk.  For example, the preemptive effect of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards is often a contested issue in litigation, and some courts have permitted liability findings even where our vehicles comply with federal law.  Furthermore, simply responding to litigation or government investigations of our compliance with regulatory standards requires significant expenditures of time and other resources.

A change in our requirements for parts or materials where we have entered into long-term supply arrangements that commit us to purchase minimum or fixed quantities of certain parts or materials, or to pay a minimum amount to the seller ("take-or-pay" contracts).  We have entered into a number of long-term supply contracts that require us to purchase a fixed quantity of parts to be used in the production of our vehicles.  If our need for any of these parts were to lessen, we could still be required to purchase a specified quantity of the part or pay a minimum amount to the seller pursuant to the take-or-pay contract.  We also have entered into a small number of long-term supply contracts for raw materials (for example, precious metals used in catalytic converters) that require us to purchase a fixed percentage of mine output.  If our need for any of these raw materials were to lessen, or if a supplier's output of materials were to increase, we could be required to purchase more materials than we need.

Adverse effects on our results from a decrease in or cessation of government incentives.  We receive economic benefits from national, state, and local governments related to investments we make.  These benefits generally take the form of tax incentives, property tax abatements, infrastructure development, subsidized training programs, and/or other operational grants and incentives, and the amounts may be significant.  A decrease in, expiration without renewal of, or other cessation of such benefits could have a substantial adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations, as well as our ability to fund new investments.

Adverse effects on our operations resulting from certain geo-political or other events. We conduct a significant portion of our business in countries outside of the United States, and are pursuing growth opportunities in a number of emerging markets.  These activities expose us to, among other things, risks associated with geo-political events, such as:  governmental takeover (i.e., nationalization) of our manufacturing facilities; disruption of operations in a particular country as a result of political or economic instability, outbreak of war or expansion of hostilities; or acts of terrorism.  Such events could have a substantial adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Substantial negative Automotive operating-related cash flows for the near- to medium-term affecting our ability to meet our obligations, invest in our business, or refinance our debt. During the past year we experienced substantial negative operating-related cash flows, and we expect that trend to continue, at a reduced rate, for the near-term.  As a result of the global financial crisis, we may not be able to obtain future liquidity in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness and to fund our other liquidity needs.  In addition, if we are unable to meet certain covenants of our $11.5 billion secured credit facility established in December 2006 (e.g., if the borrowing base value of assets pledged does not exceed outstanding borrowings), we may be required to repay borrowings under the facility prior to their maturity in December 2011 (for revolver borrowings) and December 2013 (for term loan borrowings).
 
 
27

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors (continued)


If our cash flow is worse than expected due to worsening of the economic recession, work stoppages, supply base disruptions, increased pension contributions, or other reasons, or if we are unable to find additional liquidity sources for these purposes, we may need to refinance or restructure all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity, reduce or delay capital investments, or seek to raise additional capital.  We may not be able to implement one or more of these alternatives on terms acceptable to us, or at all.  The terms of our existing or future debt agreements may restrict us from pursuing any of these alternatives.  Should our cash flow be worse than anticipated or we fail to achieve any of these alternatives, this could materially adversely affect our ability to repay our indebtedness and otherwise have a substantial adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  For further information on our liquidity and capital resources, including our secured credit agreement, see the discussion under the captions "Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Outlook" in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and Note 16 of the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Substantial levels of Automotive indebtedness adversely affecting our financial condition or preventing us from fulfilling our debt obligations (which may grow because we are able to incur substantially more debt, including additional secured debt).  As a result of our December 2006 financing actions and our other debt, we are a highly leveraged company.  Our significant Automotive debt service obligations could have important consequences, including the following:  our high level of indebtedness could make it difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our outstanding indebtedness; our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, if any, or general corporate purposes may be impaired; we must use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to pay interest on our indebtedness, which will reduce the funds available to us for operations and other purposes; and our high level of indebtedness makes us more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse developments in our business.  The more leveraged we become, the more we become exposed to the risks described herein.  See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources" and Note 16 of the Notes to the Financial Statements for additional information regarding our indebtedness.

Failure of financial institutions to fulfill commitments under committed credit facilities.  As discussed in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources," when we borrowed the full amount available under our $11.5 billion revolving credit facility in February 2009, the $890 million commitment of Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. ("LCPI") was not fully funded as a result of LCPI having filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in October 2008.  To the extent we repay amounts under our revolving credit facility, we can re-borrow those amounts.  If the financial institutions that provide these or other committed credit facilities were to default on their obligation to fund the commitments, these facilities would not be available to us, which could substantially adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition.

Ford Credit's need for substantial liquidity to finance its business.  Ford Credit requires substantial liquidity to finance its operations on a profitable basis.  If Ford Credit is unable to obtain such liquidity, it would need to curtail its operations, which include providing credit to our dealers and to retail customers to purchase our cars.  This would adversely affect our automotive operations.  As a result of the financial crisis and the global recession, which has reduced automotive sales, Ford Credit’s access to liquidity has become more constrained.  Ford Credit is taking a number of steps, as outlined below, to ensure continued access to liquidity but these steps involve a number of risks.

Inability of Ford Credit to obtain an industrial bank charter or otherwise obtain competitive funding.  Ford Credit is pursuing an industrial bank charter from the State of Utah.  Such a charter requires approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) to obtain federal deposit insurance, and we cannot assure that Ford Credit will obtain such approval.  Other institutions that provide automotive financing have access to relatively low-cost FDIC-insured funding.  Access by these competitors to FDIC-insured or other government funding programs that are not available to Ford Credit could adversely affect Ford Credit's ability to support the sale of Ford vehicles at competitive rates.  This in turn would adversely affect the marketability of Ford vehicles in comparison to certain competitive brands.

Inability of Ford Credit to access debt, securitization, or derivative markets around the world at competitive rates or in sufficient amounts due to additional credit rating downgrades, market volatility, market disruption, or other factors.  The lower credit ratings assigned to Ford Credit, as well as the continued financial crisis, have increased its unsecured borrowing costs and have caused its access to the unsecured debt markets to be more restricted.  In response, Ford Credit has increased its use of securitization and other sources of liquidity.  Ford Credit’s ability to obtain funding under its committed asset-backed liquidity programs and certain other asset-backed securitizations is subject to having a sufficient amount of assets eligible for these programs as well as Ford Credit’s ability to obtain appropriate credit ratings and derivatives to manage the interest rate risk.  Over time, and particularly in the event of any further credit rating downgrades, market volatility, market disruption, or other factors, Ford Credit may need to reduce the amount of receivables it purchases or originates.  A significant reduction in the amount of receivables Ford Credit purchases or originates would significantly reduce its ongoing profits and could adversely affect its ability to support the sale of Ford vehicles.
 
 
28

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors (continued)


Higher-than-expected credit losses.  Credit risk is the possibility of loss from a customer's or dealer's failure to make payments according to contract terms.  Credit risk (which is heavily dependent upon economic factors including unemployment, consumer debt service burden, personal income growth, dealer profitability, and used car prices) has a significant impact on Ford Credit's business.  The level of credit losses Ford Credit may experience could exceed its expectations and adversely affect its financial condition and results of operations.  For additional discussion regarding credit losses, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Estimates."

Increased competition from banks or other financial institutions seeking to increase their share of financing Ford vehicles.  No single company is a dominant force in the automotive finance industry.  Most of Ford Credit's bank competitors in the United States use credit aggregation systems that permit dealers to send, through standardized systems, retail credit applications to multiple finance sources to evaluate financing options offered by these finance sources.  This process has resulted in greater competition based on financing rates.  In addition, Ford Credit may face increased competition on wholesale financing for Ford dealers.  Competition from such competitors with lower borrowing costs may increase, which could adversely affect Ford Credit's profitability and the volume of its business.

Collection and servicing problems related to finance receivables and net investment in operating leases.  After Ford Credit purchases retail installment sale contracts and leases from dealers and other customers, it manages or services the receivables.  Any disruption of its servicing activity, due to inability to access or accurately maintain customer account records or otherwise, could have a significant negative impact on its ability to collect on those receivables and/or satisfy its customers.

Lower-than-anticipated residual values or higher-than-expected return volumes for leased vehicles.  Ford Credit projects expected residual values (including residual value support payments from Ford) and return volumes of the vehicles it leases.  Actual proceeds realized by Ford Credit upon the sale of returned leased vehicles at lease termination may be lower than the amount projected, which reduces the profitability of the lease transaction.  Among the factors that can affect the value of returned lease vehicles are the volume of vehicles returned, economic conditions, and the quality or perceived quality, safety, or reliability of the vehicles.  Actual return volumes may be higher than expected and can be influenced by contractual lease end values relative to auction values, marketing programs for new vehicles, and general economic conditions.  All of these factors, alone or in combination, have the potential to adversely affect Ford Credit's profitability.

For example, in the second quarter of 2008, higher fuel prices and the weak economic environment in North America resulted in a pronounced shift in consumer preferences from full-size trucks and traditional SUVs to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.  This shift in consumer preferences caused a significant reduction in auction values.  This in turn resulted in Ford Credit recording a pre-tax impairment charge of $2.1 billion, representing the amount by which the carrying value of certain vehicle lines in its lease portfolio exceeded their fair value.  For additional discussion of residual values, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Estimates."

New or increased credit, consumer, or data protection or other regulations resulting in higher costs and/or additional financing restrictions.  As a finance company, Ford Credit is highly regulated by governmental authorities in the locations where it operates.  In the United States, its operations are subject to regulation, supervision and licensing under various federal, state and local laws and regulations, including the federal Truth-in-Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and Fair Credit Reporting Act.  In some countries outside the United States, Ford Credit's subsidiaries are regulated banking institutions and are required, among other things, to maintain minimum capital reserves.  In many other locations, governmental authorities require companies to have licenses in order to conduct financing businesses.  Efforts to comply with these laws and regulations impose significant costs on Ford Credit, and affect the conduct of its business.  Additional regulation could add significant cost or operational constraints that might impair its profitability.
 
 
29

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors (continued)


Inability to implement our plans to further reduce structural costs and increase liquidity.  As discussed in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Overview," we are taking a number of additional actions in executing the four priorities of our plan in order to address the impact of current economic conditions, including the deteriorating credit market and automotive sales.  To the extent that we are unable to implement these additional actions or implement other alternative actions our financial condition and results of operations would be substantially adversely affected.

ITEM 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

None to report.

ITEM 2. Properties

Our principal properties include manufacturing and assembly facilities, distribution centers, warehouses, sales or administrative offices, and engineering centers.

We own substantially all of our U.S. manufacturing and assembly facilities, although many of these properties have been pledged to secure indebtedness or other obligations.  Our facilities are situated in various sections of the country and include assembly plants, engine plants, casting plants, metal stamping plants, transmission plants, and other component plants.  Most of our distribution centers are leased (we own approximately 44% of the total square footage).  A substantial amount of our warehousing is provided by third-party providers under service contracts.  Because the facilities provided pursuant to third-party service contracts need not be dedicated exclusively or even primarily to our use, these spaces are not included in the number of distribution centers/warehouses listed in the table below.  All of the warehouses that we operate are leased, although many of our manufacturing and assembly facilities contain some warehousing space.  Substantially all of our sales offices are leased space.  Approximately 97% of the total square footage of our engineering centers and our supplementary research and development space is owned by us.

In addition, we maintain and operate manufacturing plants, assembly facilities, parts distribution centers, and engineering centers outside of the United States.  We own substantially all of our non-U.S. manufacturing plants, assembly facilities, and engineering centers.  The majority of our parts distribution centers outside of the United States are either leased or provided by vendors under service contracts.  As in the United States, space provided by vendors under service contracts need not be dedicated exclusively or even primarily to our use, and is not included in the number of distribution centers/warehouses listed in the table below.

The total number of plants, distribution centers/warehouses, engineering and research and development sites, and sales offices used by our Automotive segments are shown in the table below:

 
Segment
 
Plants
   
Distribution
Centers/Warehouses
   
Engineering,
Research/Development
   
Sales Offices
 
Ford North America
    41 *     32       31       55  
Ford South America
    7       1             8  
Ford Europe
    19       9       6       14  
Volvo
    9       9       2       8  
Ford Asia Pacific Africa
    12       6       2       19  
Total
    88       57       41       104  
__________
*
We have announced plans to close a number of North American facilities as part of our restructuring actions; facilities that have been closed to date are not included in the table.  For further discussion of our restructuring, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Overview."  The table includes six facilities operated by Automotive Components Holdings, LLC ("ACH"), which is controlled by us.  We had been working to sell or close the majority of the 15 ACH component manufacturing plants by year-end 2008.  To date, we have sold five ACH plants and closed another four.  We plan to close a fifth during 2009, and a sixth in 2011.  We are exploring our options for the remaining ACH plants (Milan, Sheldon Road, Saline and Sandusky), and intend to transition these businesses to the supply base as soon as practicable.
 
 
30

 

ITEM 2. Properties (continued)


Included in the number of plants shown above are several plants that are not operated directly by us, but rather by consolidated joint ventures that operate plants that support our Automotive sector.  Following are the significant consolidated joint ventures and the number of plants they own:

 
AutoAlliance International, Inc. ("AAI") — a 50/50 joint venture with Mazda (of which we own approximately 13.78%), which operates as its principal business an automobile vehicle assembly plant in Flat Rock, Michigan.  AAI currently produces the Mazda6 and Ford Mustang models.  Ford supplies all of the hourly and substantially all of the salaried labor requirements to AAI, and AAI reimburses Ford for the full cost of that labor.

 
Ford Otomotiv Sanayi Anonim Sirketi ("Ford Otosan") — a joint venture in Turkey between Ford (41% partner), the Koc Group of Turkey (41% partner), and public investors (18%) that is our single-source supplier of the Ford Transit Connect vehicle and our sole distributor of Ford vehicles in Turkey.  In addition, Ford Otosan makes the Ford Transit series and the Cargo truck for the Turkish and export markets, and certain engines and transmissions, most of which are under license.  This joint venture owns and operates two plants, a parts distribution depot, and a newly opened Product Development Center in Turkey.

 
Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbH ("Getrag Ford") — a 50/50 joint venture with Getrag Deutsche Venture GmbH and Co. KG, a German company, to which we transferred our European manual transmission operations, including plants, from Halewood, England; Cologne, Germany; and Bordeaux, France.  In 2004, Volvo Car Corporation ("Volvo Cars") transferred its manual transmission business from its Köping, Sweden plant to Getrag Ford.  In 2008, we added the Kechnec plant in Slovakia.  Getrag Ford produces manual transmissions for Ford Europe and Volvo.  We currently supply most of the hourly and salaried labor requirements of the operations transferred to this joint venture.  Our employees who worked at the manual transmission operations transferred at the time of formation of the joint venture are assigned to the joint venture.  In the event of surplus labor at the joint venture, our employees assigned to Getrag Ford may return to Ford.  Employees hired in the future to work in these operations will be employed directly by Getrag Ford.  Getrag Ford reimburses us for the full cost of the hourly and salaried labor we supply.  This joint venture now operates four plants.

 
Getrag All Wheel Drive AB — a joint venture in Sweden between Getrag Dana Holding GmbH (60% partner) and Volvo Cars (40% partner).  In January 2004, Volvo Cars transferred to this joint venture its All Wheel Drive business and its plant in Koping, Sweden.  The joint venture produces all-wheel drive components.  As noted above, the manual transmission operations at the Köping plant were transferred to Getrag Ford.  The hourly and salaried employees at the plant have become employees of the joint venture.

 
Tekfor Cologne GmbH ("Tekfor") — a 50/50 joint venture of Ford-Werke GmbH ("Ford-Werke") and Neumayer Tekfor GmbH, a German company, to which joint venture Ford-Werke transferred the operations of the Ford forge in Cologne.  The joint venture produces forged components, primarily for transmissions and chassis, for use in Ford vehicles and for sale to third parties.  Those Ford employees who worked at the Cologne Forge Plant at the time of the formation of the joint venture are assigned to Tekfor by us and remain our employees.  In the event of surplus labor at the joint venture, Ford employees assigned to Tekfor may return to Ford.  New workers at the joint venture will be hired as employees of the joint venture.  Tekfor reimburses us for the full cost of our employees assigned to the joint venture.  This joint venture operates one plant.

 
Pininfarina Sverige, AB — a joint venture between Volvo Cars (40% partner) and Pininfarina, S.p.A. ("Pininfarina") (60% partner).  In September 2003, Volvo Cars and Pininfarina established this joint venture for the engineering and manufacture of niche vehicles, starting with a new, small convertible (Volvo C70), which is distributed by Volvo.  The joint venture began production of the new car at the Uddevalla Plant in Sweden, which was transferred from Volvo Cars to the joint venture in December 2005, and is the joint venture's only plant.

 
Ford Vietnam Limited — a joint venture between Ford (75% partner) and Song Cong Diesel (25% partner).  Ford Vietnam assembles and distributes several Ford vehicles in Vietnam, including Escape, Everest, Focus, Mondeo, Ranger and Transit models.  This joint venture operates one plant.

 
Ford Lio Ho Motor Company Ltd. ("FLH") — a joint venture in Taiwan among Ford (70% partner), the Lio Ho Group (25% partner) and individual shareholders (5% ownership in aggregate) that assembles a variety of Ford and Mazda vehicles sourced from Ford as well as Mazda. In addition to domestic assembly, FLH also has local product development capability to modify vehicle designs for local needs, and imports Ford-brand built-up vehicles from Europe and the United States.  This joint venture operates one plant.

 
31

 

ITEM 2. Properties (continued)


In addition to the plants that we operate directly or that are operated by consolidated joint ventures, additional plants that support our Automotive sector are operated by other, unconsolidated joint ventures of which we are a partner.  These additional plants are not included in the number of plants shown in the table above.  The most significant of these joint ventures are:

 
AutoAlliance (Thailand) Co. Ltd. ("AAT") — a joint venture among Ford (50%), Mazda (45%) and a Thai affiliate of Mazda's (5%), which owns and operates a manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand.  AAT produces the Ford Everest, Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series pickup trucks for the Thai market and for export to over 100 countries worldwide (other than North America), in both built-up and kit form.  AAT has announced plans to build a new, highly flexible passenger car plant that will utilize state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies and will produce both Ford and Mazda badged small cars beginning in 2009.

 
Blue Diamond Truck, S. de R.L. de C.V. ("Blue Diamond Truck") — a joint venture between Ford (49% partner) and Navistar International Corporation (formerly known as International Truck and Engine Corporation) (51% partner) ("Navistar").  Blue Diamond Truck develops and manufactures selected medium and light commercial trucks in Mexico and sells the vehicles to Ford and Navistar for their own independent distribution.  Blue Diamond Truck manufactures Ford F-650/750 medium-duty commercial trucks that are sold in the United States and Canada; Navistar medium-duty commercial trucks that are sold in Mexico; and a low-cab-forward, light-/medium-duty commercial truck for each of Ford and Navistar.  By agreement of the parties in January 2009, the joint venture will continue and, among other things, over the next several months, Navistar will acquire additional equity in the joint venture such that Navistar's percentage interest in the joint venture will be 75% and Ford's interest will be 25%.

 
Tenedora Nemak, S.A. de C.V. — a joint venture between Ford (6.75% partner) and a subsidiary of Mexican conglomerate Alfa S.A. de C.V. (93.25% partner), which owns and operates, among other facilities, a portion of our former Canadian castings operations, and supplies engine blocks and heads to several of our engine plants. Ford supplies a portion of the hourly labor requirements for the Canadian plant, for which it is fully reimbursed by the joint venture.

 
Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Corporation, Ltd. ("CFMA") — a joint venture among Ford (35% partner), Mazda (15% partner), and the Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. ("Changan") (50% partner).  Through its facility in the Chinese cities of Chongqing and Nanjing, CFMA produces and distributes in China the Ford Mondeo, Focus, S-max and Fiesta, the Mazda2, the Mazda3 and the Volvo S40.

 
Changan Ford Mazda Engine Company, Ltd. ("CFME") — a joint venture among Ford (25% partner), Mazda (25% partner), and the Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd (50% partner).  CFME is located in the City of Nanjing, and produces the Ford New I4 and Mazda BZ engines in support of the assembly of Ford- and Mazda-branded vehicles manufactured in China.

 
Jiangling Motors Corporation, Ltd. ("JMC") — a publicly-traded company in China with Ford (30% shareholder) and Jiangxi Jiangling Holdings, Ltd. (41% shareholder) as its controlling shareholders.  Jiangxi Jiangling Holdings, Ltd. is a 50/50 joint venture between Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. and Jiangling Motors Company Group.  The public investors of JMC own 29% of its outstanding shares.  JMC assembles the Ford Transit van and other non-Ford-technology-based vehicles for distribution in China.

The facilities owned or leased by us or our subsidiaries and joint ventures described above are, in the opinion of management, suitable and more than adequate for the manufacture and assembly of our products.

The furniture, equipment and other physical property owned by our Financial Services operations are not material in relation to their total assets.
 
 
32

 

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings

Various legal actions, governmental investigations, proceedings, and claims are pending or may be instituted or asserted in the future against us and our subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, those arising out of:  alleged defects in our products; governmental regulations covering safety, emissions, and fuel economy; financial services; employment-related matters; dealer, supplier, and other contractual relationships; intellectual property rights; product warranties; environmental matters; shareholder and investor matters; and financial reporting matters.  Some of the pending legal actions are, or purport to be, class actions, and some involve claims for compensatory, punitive, or antitrust or other multiplied damage claims in very large amounts, or demands for recall campaigns, environmental remediation programs, sanctions, or other relief that, if granted, would require very large expenditures.  We regularly evaluate the expected outcome of product liability litigation and other legal proceedings.  We have accrued expenses for probable losses on product liability matters, in the aggregate, based on an analysis of historical litigation payouts and trends.  We also have accrued expenses for other legal proceedings where losses are deemed probable and reasonably estimable.  These accruals are reflected in our financial statements.

Following is a discussion of our significant pending legal proceedings:

ASBESTOS MATTERS

Asbestos was used in brakes, clutches, and other automotive components from the early 1900s.  Along with other vehicle manufacturers, we have been the target of asbestos litigation and, as a result, are a defendant in various actions for injuries claimed to have resulted from alleged exposure to Ford parts and other products containing asbestos.  Plaintiffs in these personal injury cases allege various health problems as a result of asbestos exposure, either from component parts found in older vehicles, insulation or other asbestos products in our facilities, or asbestos aboard our former maritime fleet.  We believe that we are being more aggressively targeted in asbestos suits because many previously targeted companies have filed for bankruptcy.

Most of the asbestos litigation we face involves individuals who worked on the brakes of our vehicles over the years.  We are prepared to defend these cases, and believe that the scientific evidence confirms our long-standing position that there is no increased risk of asbestos-related disease as a result of exposure to the type of asbestos formerly used in the brakes on our vehicles.

The extent of our financial exposure to asbestos litigation remains very difficult to estimate.  The majority of our asbestos cases do not specify a dollar amount for damages, and in many of the other cases the dollar amount specified is the jurisdictional minimum.  The vast majority of these cases involve multiple defendants, with the number in some cases exceeding one hundred.  Many of these cases also involve multiple plaintiffs, and we are often unable to tell from the pleadings which of the plaintiffs are making claims against us (as opposed to other defendants).  Annual payout and defense costs may become substantial in the future.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

General.  We have received notices under various federal and state environmental laws that we (along with others) are or may be a potentially responsible party for the costs associated with remediating numerous hazardous substance storage, recycling, or disposal sites in many states and, in some instances, for natural resource damages.  We also may have been a generator of hazardous substances at a number of other sites.  The amount of any such costs or damages for which we may be held responsible could be significant.  The contingent losses that we expect to incur in connection with many of these sites have been accrued and those accruals are reflected in our financial statements.  For many sites, however, the remediation costs and other damages for which we ultimately may be responsible are not reasonably estimable because of uncertainties with respect to factors such as our connection to the site or to materials there, the involvement of other potentially responsible parties, the application of laws and other standards or regulations, site conditions, and the nature and scope of investigations, studies, and remediation to be undertaken (including the technologies to be required and the extent, duration, and success of remediation).  As a result, we are unable to determine or reasonably estimate the amount of costs or other damages for which we are potentially responsible in connection with these sites, although that total could be significant.
 
 
33

 

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings (continued)
 

Edison Assembly Plant Concrete Disposal.  During demolition of our Edison Assembly Plant, we discovered very low levels of contaminants in the concrete slab.  The concrete was crushed and reused by several developers as fill material at ten different off-site locations.  The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP") asserts that some of these locations may not have been authorized to receive the waste.  In March 2006, the DEP ordered Ford, its supplier MIG-Alberici, Inc., and the developer Edgewood Properties, Inc., to investigate, and, if appropriate, remove contaminated materials.  Ford has substantially completed the work at a number of locations, and Edgewood is completing the investigation and remediation at several locations that it owns.  Pursuant to the Administrative Consent Order, in January 2008 we paid approximately $460,000 for oversight costs, penalties, and environmental education projects, and donated emissions reduction credits to the State of New Jersey.  After receiving our payment, the DEP determined that the Consent Order could not be finalized unless it first was submitted for public comment.  It provided public notice regarding the settlement in April 2008.  We expect that after completing its review of the comments, the DEP will finalize the Consent Order without any material changes.  As previously reported, the New Jersey Attorney General's office also issued a grand jury subpoena and civil information request in March 2006.  We are fully cooperating with the Attorney General's office to resolve this matter.

California Environmental Action.  In September 2006, the California Attorney General filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Chrysler and Nissan, seeking monetary damages on a joint and several basis for economic and environmental harm to California caused by global warming.  The complaint alleged that cars and trucks sold in the United States constitute an environmental public nuisance under federal and California state common law.  In September 2007, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California dismissed the case, ruling that the federal claims constituted nonjusticiable political questions.  The Court did not address the state claims, and indicated that California could refile those claims in state court if desired.  The California Attorney General has appealed the dismissal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Sterling Axle Plant.  The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality ("MDEQ") issued four Letters of Violation to the Sterling Axle Plant between April 17, 2008 and October 7, 2008, and has commenced a civil administrative enforcement proceeding against the Company.  The Letters of Violation arise from the plant's disclosure of several potential violations of its air permits.  We are working with the MDEQ to resolve the enforcement proceeding, and the plant has taken steps to correct and prevent recurrence of the potential violations.

CLASS ACTIONS

In light of the fact that very few of the purported class actions filed against us in the past have ever been certified by the courts as class actions, the actions listed below are those (i) that have been certified as a class action by a court of competent jurisdiction (and any additional purported class actions that raise allegations substantially similar to a certified case), and (ii) that, if resolved unfavorably to the Company, would likely involve a significant cost.

Canadian Export Antitrust Class Actions.  Eighty-three purported class actions on behalf of all purchasers of new motor vehicles in the United States since January 1, 2001 have been filed in various state and federal courts against numerous defendants, including Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, BMW Group, the National Automobile Dealers Association, and the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association.  The federal and state complaints allege, among other things, that the manufacturers, aided by the dealer associations, conspired to prevent the sale to U.S. citizens of vehicles produced for the Canadian market and sold by dealers in Canada at lower prices than vehicles sold in the United States.  The complaints seek injunctive relief under federal antitrust law and treble damages under federal and state antitrust laws.  The federal court actions have been consolidated for coordinated pretrial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine.

TAX MATTERS

Government Transfer Pricing Dispute.  As discussed in Note 19 of the Notes to the Financial Statements, the U.S. and Canadian governments will continue to have discussions in coming months to resolve issues involving transfer pricing.  While these discussions are pending, we could receive audit adjustments from Canada that we would have to pay, either in cash or with collateral acceptable to the government.  Any cash payments, which could be significant, would defease any tax liability ultimately determined.

 
34

 

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings (continued)
 

OTHER MATTERS

ERISA Fiduciary Litigation.  A purported class action lawsuit is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan naming as defendants Ford Motor Company and several of our current or former employees and officers (Nowak, et al. v. Ford Motor Company, et al., along with three consolidated cases).  The lawsuit alleges that the defendants violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) by failing to prudently and loyally manage funds held in employee savings plans sponsored by Ford.  Specifically, the plaintiffs allege (among other claims) that the defendants violated fiduciary duties owed to plan participants by continuing to offer Ford Common Stock as an investment option in the savings plans.  In December 2008, the Court denied Ford's motion to dismiss on the pleadings.

SEC Pension and Post-Employment Benefit Accounting Inquiry.  On October 14, 2004, the Division of Enforcement of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") notified us that it was conducting an inquiry into the methodology used to account for pensions and other post-employment benefits.  We were one of several companies to receive requests for information as part of this inquiry.  We completed submission of all information requested to date as of April 2007.

Diesel Engine Litigation.  In 2007, we filed suit against Navistar International Corporation, formerly known as International Truck and Engine Corporation ("Navistar"), the supplier of diesel engines for our F-Series Super Duty and Econoline vehicles.  Navistar countersued, and also initiated its own lawsuit.  In January 2009, we reached agreement with Navistar to restructure our ongoing business relationship, and to settle all existing litigation between the companies.  As part of the agreement, we made a cash payment to Navistar; Navistar will increase its equity ownership in our Blue Diamond Truck and Blue Diamond Parts joint ventures that will supply Ford with new medium-duty trucks and components; and the parties agreed to terminate effective December 31, 2009 their diesel engine supply agreement originally scheduled to expire in 2012, under which Navistar was required to be Ford's sole, exclusive source of diesel truck engines in North America.

Apartheid Litigation. Along with other prominent multinational companies, we are defendants in purported class action lawsuits seeking unspecified damages on behalf of South African citizens who suffered violence and oppression under South Africa's apartheid regime.  The lawsuits allege that, by doing business in South Africa, the defendant companies “aided and abetted” the apartheid regime and its human rights violations.  These cases, collectively referred to as In re South African Apartheid Litigation, were initially filed in 2002 and 2003, and are being handled together as coordinated "multidistrict litigation" in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.  The District Court dismissed these cases in 2004, but in 2007 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed and remanded the cases to the District Court for further proceedings.  Amended complaints were filed during 2008.


ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not required.
 
 
35

 

ITEM 4A. Executive Officers of Ford


Our executive officers and their positions and ages at February 1, 2009 are as follows:

Name
 
Position
 
Present Position
Held Since
 
Age
             
William Clay Ford, Jr. (a)
 
Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board
 
September 2006
 
51
             
Alan Mulally (b)
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
September 2006
 
63
             
Michael E. Bannister
 
Executive Vice President – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ford Motor Credit Company
 
October 2007
 
59
             
Lewis W. K. Booth
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
November 2008
 
60
             
Mark Fields
 
Executive Vice President – President, The Americas
 
October 2005
 
48
             
John Fleming
 
Executive Vice President – Chairman, Ford Europe and Volvo
 
November 2008
 
58
             
John G. Parker
 
Executive Vice President – Asia Pacific Africa
 
September 2006
 
61
             
Tony Brown
 
Group Vice President – Purchasing
 
April 2008
 
52
             
Mei-Wei Cheng
 
Group Vice President – Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Company China
 
April 2008
 
58
             
Sue Cischke
 
Group Vice President – Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering
 
April 2008
 
54
             
James D. Farley
 
Group Vice President – Sales, Marketing and Communications
 
November 2007
 
46
             
Felicia Fields
 
Group Vice President – Human Resources and Corporate Services
 
April 2008
 
43
             
Bennie Fowler
 
Group Vice President – Quality
 
April 2008
 
52
             
Joseph R. Hinrichs
 
Group Vice President – Manufacturing
 
January 2008
 
42
             
Derrick M. Kuzak
 
Group Vice President – Product Development
 
December 2006
 
57
             
David G. Leitch
 
Group Vice President and General Counsel
 
April 2005
 
48
             
J C. Mays
 
Group Vice President – Design and Chief Creative Officer
 
August 2003
 
54
             
Ziad S. Ojakli
 
Group Vice President – Government and Community Relations
 
January 2004
 
41
             
Nick Smither
 
Group Vice President – Information Technology
 
April 2008
 
50
             
Peter J. Daniel
 
Senior Vice President and Controller
 
September 2006
 
61
__________

(a)
Also a Director, Chair of the Office of the Chairman and Chief Executive, Chair of the Finance Committee and a member of the Sustainability Committee of the Board of Directors.

(b)
Also a Director and member of the Office of the Chairman and Chief Executive and the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors.
 
 
36

 

ITEM 4A. Executive Officers of Ford (continued)


All of the above officers, except those noted below, have been employed by Ford or its subsidiaries in one or more capacities during the past five years.  Described below are the recent positions (other than those with Ford or its subsidiaries) held by those officers who have not yet been with Ford or its subsidiaries for five years:

 
§
Prior to joining Ford in November 2007, Mr. Farley was Group Vice President and General Manager of Lexus, responsible for all sales, marketing and customer satisfaction activities for Toyota’s luxury brand.  Before leading Lexus, he served as group vice president of Toyota Division marketing and was responsible for all Toyota Division market planning, advertising, merchandising, sales promotion, incentives and Internet activities.

 
§
Prior to joining Ford in September 2006, Mr. Mulally served as Executive Vice President of The Boeing Company, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.  Mr. Mulally also was a member of Boeing's Executive Council, and served as Boeing's senior executive in the Pacific Northwest.  He was named Boeing's president of Commercial Airplanes in September 1998; the responsibility of chief executive officer for the business unit was added in March 2001.

 
§
Mr. Leitch served as the Deputy Assistant and Deputy Counsel to President George W. Bush from December 2002 to March 2005.  From June 2001 until December 2002, he served as Chief Counsel for the Federal Aviation Administration, overseeing a staff of 290 in Washington and the agency's 11 regional offices.  Prior to June 2001, Mr. Leitch was a partner at Hogan & Hartson LLP in Washington D.C., where his practice focused on appellate litigation in state and federal court.

Under our By-Laws, the executive officers are elected by the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors held for this purpose.  Each officer is elected to hold office until his or her successor is chosen or as otherwise provided in the By-Laws.
 
 
37

 

PART II

ITEM 5. Market for Ford's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange in the United States and on certain stock exchanges in Belgium, France, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

The table below shows the high and low sales prices for our Common Stock and the dividends we paid per share of Common and Class B Stock for each quarterly period in 2007 and 2008:

   
2007
   
2008
 
Ford Common Stock price per share (a)
 
First
Quarter
   
Second
Quarter
   
Third
Quarter
   
Fourth
Quarter
   
First
Quarter
   
Second
Quarter
   
Third
Quarter
   
Fourth
Quarter
 
High
  $ 8.97     $ 9.70     $ 9.64     $ 9.24     $ 6.94     $ 8.79     $ 6.33     $ 5.47  
Low
    7.43       7.67       7.49       6.65       4.95       4.46       4.17       1.01  
Dividends per share of Ford Common and Class B Stock (b)
  $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00  
__________
(a)
New York Stock Exchange composite interday prices as listed in the price history database available at www.NYSEnet.com.

(b)
On December 15, 2006, we entered into a secured credit facility which contains a covenant prohibiting us from paying dividends (other than dividends payable solely in stock) on our Common and Class B Stock, subject to certain limited exceptions.  As a result, it is unlikely that we will pay any dividends in the foreseeable future.  See Note 16 of the Notes to the Financial Statements for more information regarding the secured credit facility and related covenants.
 
As of February 13, 2009, stockholders of record of Ford included 164,005 holders of Common Stock (which number does not include 290 former holders of old Ford Common Stock who have not yet tendered their shares pursuant to our recapitalization, known as the Value Enhancement Plan, which became effective on August 9, 2000) and 93 holders of Class B Stock.

During the fourth quarter of 2008, we purchased shares of our Common Stock as follows:

Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased*
   
Average Price Paid per Share
   
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs**
   
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs**
 
Oct. 1, 2008 through Oct. 31, 2008
    98,811     $ 2.19              
Nov. 1, 2008 through Nov. 30, 2008
    9,165       1.80              
Dec. 1, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2008
    8,807       2.41              
Total/Average
    116,783       2.18              
__________
*
The shares purchased were acquired from our employees or directors in accordance with our various compensation plans as a result of share withholdings to pay income taxes with respect to:  (i) the lapse of restrictions on restricted stock; (ii) the issuance of unrestricted stock, including issuances as a result of the conversion of restricted stock equivalents; or (iii) payment of the exercise price and related income taxes with respect to certain exercises of stock options.

**
No publicly announced repurchase program in place.
 
 
38

 

ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth selected financial data for each of the last five years (dollar amounts in millions, except per share amounts).

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
                             
Total Company
                             
Sales and revenues
  $ 146,277     $ 172,455     $ 160,065     $ 176,835     $ 172,255  
                                         
Income/(Loss) before income taxes
  $ (14,404 )   $ (3,746 )   $ (15,074 )   $ 1,054     $ 4,087  
Provision for/(Benefit from) income taxes
    63       (1,294 )     (2,655 )     (855 )     634  
Minority interests in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries
    214       312       210       280       282  
Income/(Loss) from continuing operations
    (14,681 )     (2,764 )     (12,629 )     1,629       3,171  
Income/(Loss) from discontinued operations
    9       41       16       62       (133 )
Cumulative effects of change in accounting principle
                      (251 )      
Net income/(loss)
  $ (14,672 )   $ (2,723 )   $ (12,613 )   $ 1,440     $ 3,038  
                                         
Automotive Sector
                                       
Sales
  $ 129,166     $ 154,379     $ 143,249     $ 153,413     $ 147,058  
Operating income/(loss)
    (9,293 )     (4,268 )     (17,944 )     (4,211 )     (221 )
Income/(Loss) before income taxes
    (11,823 )     (4,970 )     (17,040 )     (3,899 )     (200 )
                                         
Financial Services Sector
                                       
Revenues
  $ 17,111     $ 18,076     $ 16,816     $ 23,422     $ 25,197  
Income/(Loss) before income taxes
    (2,581 )     1,224       1,966       4,953       4,287  
                                         
Total Company Data Per Share of Common and Class B Stock
                                       
Basic:
                                       
Income/(Loss) from continuing operations
  $ (6.46 )   $ (1.40 )   $ (6.73 )   $ 0.88     $ 1.74  
Income/(Loss) from discontinued operations
          0.02       0.01       0.04       (0.08 )
Cumulative effects of change in accounting principle
                      (0.14 )      
Net income/(loss)
  $ (6.46 )   $ (1.38 )   $ (6.72 )   $ 0.78     $ 1.66  
Diluted:
                                       
Income/(Loss) from continuing operations
  $ (6.46 )   $ (1.40 )   $ (6.73 )   $ 0.86     $ 1.59  
Income/(Loss) from discontinued operations
          0.02       0.01       0.03       (0.07 )
Cumulative effects of change in accounting principle
                      (0.12 )      
Net income/(loss)
  $ (6.46 )   $ (1.38 )   $ (6.72 )   $ 0.77     $ 1.52  
Cash dividends
  $     $     $ 0.25     $ 0.40     $ 0.40  
                                         
Common Stock price range (NYSE Composite Interday)
                                       
High
  $ 8.79     $ 9.70     $ 9.48     $ 14.75     $ 17.34  
Low
    1.01       6.65       6.06       7.57       12.61  
Average number of shares of Ford Common and Class B Stock outstanding (in millions)
    2,273       1,979       1,879       1,846       1,830  
                                         
SECTOR BALANCE SHEET DATA AT YEAR-END
                                       
Assets
                                       
Automotive sector
  $ 73,845     $ 118,489     $ 122,634     $ 113,825     $ 113,251  
Financial Services sector
    151,667       169,261       169,691       162,194       189,188  
Intersector elimination
    (2,535 )     (2,023 )     (1,467 )     (83 )     (2,753 )
Total assets
  $ 222,977     $ 285,727     $ 290,858     $ 275,936     $ 299,686  
                                         
Total Debt
                                       
Automotive sector
  $ 25,846     $ 26,954     $ 29,796     $ 17,849     $ 18,220  
Financial Services sector
    128,842       141,833       142,036       135,400       144,198  
Intersector elimination *
    (492 )                        
Total debt
  $ 154,196     $ 168,787     $ 171,832     $ 153,249     $ 162,418  
                                         
Stockholders' Equity
  $ (17,311 )   $ 5,628     $ (3,465 )   $ 13,442     $ 17,437  
__________
*  Debt related to Ford's acquisition of Ford Credit debt securities.  See Note 1 of the Notes to the Financial Statements for additional detail.
 
 
39

 

ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW

Generation of Revenue, Income and Cash

Our Automotive sector's revenue, income, and cash are generated primarily from sales of vehicles to our dealers and distributors (i.e., our customers).  Vehicles we produce generally are subject to firm orders from our customers and are deemed sold (with the proceeds from such sale recognized in revenue) after they are produced and shipped or delivered to our customers.  This is not the case, however, with respect to vehicles produced for sale to daily rental car companies that are subject to a guaranteed repurchase option or vehicles produced for use in our own fleet (including management evaluation vehicles).  Vehicles sold to daily rental car companies that are subject to a guaranteed repurchase option are accounted for as operating leases, with lease revenue and profits recognized over the term of the lease.  When we sell the returned vehicle at auction, we recognize a gain or loss on the difference, if any, between actual auction value and the projected auction value.  In addition, revenue for finished vehicles we sell to customers or vehicle modifiers on consignment is not recognized until the vehicle is sold to the ultimate customer.  Therefore, except for the impact of the daily rental units sold subject to a guaranteed repurchase option, those units placed into our own fleet, and those units for which recognition of revenue is otherwise deferred, wholesale volumes to our customers and revenue from such sales are closely linked with our production.

Most of the vehicles sold by us to our dealers and distributors are financed at wholesale by Ford Credit.  Upon Ford Credit originating the wholesale receivable related to a dealer's purchase of a vehicle, Ford Credit pays cash to the relevant legal entity in our Automotive sector in payment of the dealer's obligation for the purchase price of the vehicle.  The dealer then pays the wholesale finance receivable to Ford Credit when it sells the vehicle to a retail customer.

Our Financial Services sector's revenue is generated primarily from interest on finance receivables, net of certain deferred origination costs that are included as a reduction of financing revenue, and such revenue is recognized over the term of the receivable using the interest method.  Also, revenue from operating leases, net of certain deferred origination costs, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.  Income is generated to the extent revenues exceed expenses, most of which are interest, depreciation, and operating expenses.

Transactions between our Automotive and Financial Services sectors occur in the ordinary course of business.  For example, Ford Credit receives interest supplements and other support cost payments from the Automotive sector in connection with special-rate vehicle financing and leasing programs that we sponsor.  Ford Credit records these payments as revenue, and, for contracts purchased prior to 2008, our Automotive sector made the related cash payments, over the expected life of the related finance receivable or operating lease.  Effective January 1, 2008, to reduce ongoing Automotive obligations to Ford Credit and to be consistent with general industry practice, we began paying interest supplements and residual value support to Ford Credit on an upfront, lump-sum basis at the time Ford Credit purchases eligible contracts from dealers.  See Note 1 of the Notes to the Financial Statements for a more detailed discussion of transactions and payments between our Automotive and Financial Services sectors.  The Automotive sector records the estimated costs of marketing incentives, including dealer and retail customer cash payments (e.g., rebates) and costs of special-rate financing and leasing programs, as a reduction to revenue.  These reductions to revenue are accrued at the later of the date the related vehicle sales to the dealer are recorded or at the date the incentive program is both approved and communicated.

Key Economic Factors and Trends Affecting the Automotive Industry

Global Economic and Financial Market Crisis.  The global economy has entered a period of very weak economic growth, led by the recession in the United States and followed by declines in other major markets around the world.  The financial market crisis set off a series of events that generated conditions more severe than those experienced in several decades.  The characteristics of the financial crisis are unique, in part due to the complex structure of housing-related securities that were at the epicenter of the financial market turmoil.  A steep housing correction, especially in the U.S. and U.K. markets, along with downward valuations of mortgage-backed and related securities, combined to foster a crisis in confidence.  Although several other factors contributed to current economic and financial conditions, the influence of these financial developments was very prominent.  The interrelationships among financial markets worldwide ultimately resulted in a synchronous global economic downturn, the effects of which became evident in the fourth quarter of 2008 as major markets around the world all suffered setbacks.
 
 
40

 

ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)


The economic outlook is negative, with a range of possible outcomes due to the uncertain financial market environment and ongoing policy responses.  In 2009, global industry sales volume is projected to weaken, with a full-year decline in the range of 15% from 2008 levels.  Consumer and business spending has been severely constrained by credit conditions and economic weakness.  The effectiveness of prior and prospective policy actions to confront the crisis is not clearly apparent at this juncture; hence, the current outlook is particularly uncertain.

Excess Capacity.  According to CSM Worldwide, an automotive research firm, in 2008 the estimated automotive industry global production capacity for light vehicles (about 90 million units) exceeded global production by about 24 million units.  In North America and Europe, the two regions where the majority of revenue and profits are earned in the industry, excess capacity was an estimated 44% and 23%, respectively, with North America in particular driven up from recent rates of around 20% due to the industry conditions in that market last year.  According to production capacity data projected by CSM Worldwide, significant global excess capacity conditions could continue for several years at an average of 30.5 million units per year during the 2009-2011 period.

Pricing Pressure.  Excess capacity, coupled with a proliferation of new products being introduced in key segments by the industry, will keep pressure on manufacturers' ability to increase prices on their products.  In addition, the incremental new U.S. manufacturing capacity of Japanese and Korean manufacturers in recent years has contributed, and is likely to continue to contribute, to pricing pressure in the U.S. market.  The reduction of real prices for similarly contented vehicles in the United States has become more pronounced since the late 1990s, and we expect that a challenging pricing environment will continue for some time to come.

Consumer Spending and Credit.  Limited ability to increase vehicle prices has been offset in recent years, at least in part, by the long-term trend toward purchase of higher-end, more expensive vehicles and/or vehicles with more features.  The current retrenchment in consumer spending is likely to dampen that trend in the near-term, and, even consumers who are willing to spend often find that availability of automotive loans has been diminished as a result of the credit crisis.  Over the long term, spending on new vehicles is expected to resume its correlation with growth in per capita incomes.  Emerging markets also will contribute an increasing share of global industry sales volume and revenue, as growth in wholesales (i.e., volume) will be greatest in emerging markets in the next decade.  We believe, however, the mature automotive markets (e.g., North America, Western Europe, and Japan) will retain the largest share of global revenue over the coming decade.<