In its first-quarter earnings report released this week, the Ford Motor Company announced a profit of $2.55 billion, its best quarter since 1998. Even with gasoline prices nearing record highs and the Japanese tsunami creating shortages of some parts, Ford continued its remarkable turnaround from the recession, when many analysts questioned whether the company could even survive. The original Detroit powerhouse bounced back by refocusing on smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles, such as the Ford Fiesta, and eschewing the gas-guzzling SUVs and pickup trucks that had fueled past profits. Here's a look at the company's reinvigoration, by the numbers:
$2.55 billion
Ford's total profit during the first three months of 2011
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$2.05 billion
Ford's total profit during the first three months of 2010
22
Percentage increase in quarterly profit over last year
$22,000
Average price of a Ford vehicle worldwide. Some of the most popular models, including the Fiesta and Focus, cost significantly less. But "buyers have been willing to pay for additional options," like heated leather seats, says The New York Times, "even as they choose a smaller vehicle to save on gasoline."
40
Miles per gallon the Fiesta gets on the highway
22
Miles per gallon the popular Ford F-150 truck gets on the highway
Between 12,000 and 14,000
Vehicle shortage at Ford's Asia plants as a result of the Japan tsunami. The company is not expected to be seriously affected by the disaster.
$15.66
Ford's stock price when markets closed Tuesday
$1.26
Ford's stock price on Nov. 19, 2008
1142 percent
Proportional increase in Ford's stock price in that period
Sources: Wall St. Journal, NY Times, Guardian, Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Newsweek
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