While the auto industry as a whole is in rough shape, Ford is doing comparatively well. During each of the past four months, Ford’s market share has increased compared to last year. The well-publicized financial troubles of GM and Chrysler may have helped Ford.
Ford is the only one of the Big Three not to take out loans from the federal government. That financial stability is important for some buyers, who are trading in GM and Chrysler vehicles to buy Fords.
"The future of GM and Chrysler certainly played a part in my decision," said John Grassi of Warren, Mich., who recently switched from a Dodge Minivan to a Ford Fusion. "Ford seems to be the most sound in terms of staying solvent. I mean, you look at your warranty and you want that warranty to be good."
While Ford hasn’t received any form of bailout from the federal government, it has profited from the loans given to Chrysler and GM. The terms of the loans GM and Chrysler received require the automakers to arrange money-saving concessions from the UAW, and the UAW has a history of arranging the same conditions for each of the Big Three.
Ford Financial could also be helping the automaker thrive in harsh times.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Ford’s in-house car loan company is healthier than GM’s and Chrysler’s. This means that customers with lower credit scores are more likely to be approved for a car loan on a Ford vehicle, and customers with higher scores will get better interest rates.
