FORD POSTS FIRST QUARTER 2010 NET INCOME OF $2.1 BILLION AS STRONG NEW PRODUCTS FUEL PROFITABLE GROWTH
(Get the latest “Truth With Speedzzter” here)

Ford reports first quarter net income of $2.1 billion, or 50 cents per share . . .Ended the quarter with $25.3 billion of Automotive gross cash, with operating-related cash outflow of $100 million. Ford ended the quarter with $34.3 billion in Automotive debt. . . .Increased U.S. market share by 2.7 percentage points to 16.6 percent and a 14.1 share of the retail market . . . .

Comment: Better news than expected. But there’s still a lot of debt on the books. And energy prices, a jobless U.S. economic recovery, 2016's 35.5 m.p.g. Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standard as well as the Greek Financial crisis are all clouds on the horizon. Still it’s fun to celebrate a little good news.

Ford is clearly getting some base hits on the product side, as well as benefitting from Toyota’s recall headaches.

NOT FOR AMERICA: UK’S NEW FIESTA S1600



Comment: The S1600 looks like a fine basis for a Fiesta GT in America. But alas, it’s mostly a decal performance car, with a modest 20 h.p. boost over stock. Put those stripes on an EcoBoost or twincharged Fiesta and FoMoCo might have something.

On the other hand . . .

ANNALISTS SPECULATE U.S. FIESTA MAY BE TOO “PRICEY”

"My concern about the car is that it is priced too high for the Ford nameplate. A fully loaded Fiesta costs more than a fully loaded Focus right now," said Jim Hall, managing director of 2953 Analytics.

George Peterson, president of AutoPacific called the Fiesta "a little bit pricey but it has an excellent presence and driving dynamics."

Comment: Ford cannot afford to build a cut-rate B-Car. It would be better to err on the quality side than to chase the import invaders on price.

CIRCLE TRACK ACTION! ROCKIN' FORD DEALER AD FROM TEXAS



Comment: Although the editing could be a bit tighter, this spot is much better than standard local dealer fare. Well done!

FORD'S SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITIES AT THE 2010 BEIJING AUTO SHOW



Comment: Ford certainly is pumping up the social media arm of its outreach. Somebody in the Glass House thought this video was important, but we’re not sure why.

DYNO ACTION! 712-H.P. SHELBY GT500




ROUSH-FENWAY AT TALLADEGA



Comment: Roush-Fenway may not have won Talladega . . . Okay, they weren’t really even very close, new FR9 engines notwhithstanding. But at least their videographer shot some cool tape for the company scrapbook.

IN-CAR ACTION! CATERHAM SEVEN "ALL OUT" ON A ROAD COURSE



Comment: While a four-cylinder Caterham might not have much appeal to afficionados of 800-h.p. Mustangs or NASCAR fans, there’s some big fun happening here. Maybe the Eco-Boost four-popper future isn’t so bad after all. Of course it would be even better with a V8 sound-track!

WHO NEEDS PAVEMENT? HOT RALLYCROSS ACTION FROM ESTERING



Comment: We need more rallycross in America!

TRAIN ‘EM UP IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO . . . .



Comment: Muscle car fever in Grevenbroich? At least the goof in the Camaro finally got out of the way . . . and the kid spun some tire!