Cost Improvement, Ford Pro Growth Fuel Solid Q3 Results; Ford+ Sets up Long-Term Value Creation
- Ford reports third quarter revenue of $46 billion; net income of $0.9 billion, including a previously announced $1 billion electric vehicle-related charge; adjusted EBIT of $2.6 billion
- Ford Pro revenue increases 13%; Ford Pro Intelligence paid software subscriptions up 30% to nearly 630,000 users
- Company declares fourth-quarter regular dividend of 15 cents per share
- Full-year 2024 adjusted EBIT now expected to be about $10 billion
Ford reported third-quarter 2024 results that indicate the long-term value creation made possible by a winning lineup of internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles for retail and commercial customers combined with an advantaged strategy and global footprint.
“We are in a strong position with Ford+ as our industry undergoes a sweeping transformation,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. “We have made strategic decisions and taken the tough actions to create advantages for Ford versus the competition in key areas like Ford Pro, international operations, software and next-generation electric vehicles. Importantly, over time, we have significant financial upside as we bend the curve on cost and quality, a key focus of our team.”
Company Key Metrics Summary
Ford’s third-quarter revenue was $46 billion, up 5% from the same period a year ago. This marks the company’s 10th consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue growth, benefits of a fresh and compelling product lineup that offers freedom of choice to both retail and commercial customers.
Company net income was $0.9 billion, down $0.3 billion from third-quarter 2023, due largely to a previously announced $1 billion electric vehicle-related charge that was part of actions taken to deliver a profitable, capital-efficient and growing electric vehicle business.
Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes, or EBIT, was $2.6 billion, a $352 million improvement year-over-year. The improvement was driven by higher volume and favorable mix, offset partially by electric vehicle pricing pressure and adverse exchange; overall costs were lower in the quarter.
“We are remaking the company with Ford+ into a higher-growth, higher-margin, more capital-efficient and more durable business,” said Ford Vice Chair and CFO John Lawler. “The work we have done over the past few years to restructure our global business -- and tailor our product lineup to segments where we know our customers best -- is driving continued growth and generating stronger and more consistent cash flow.”
Cash flow from operations in the third quarter was $5.5 billion, and adjusted free cash flow was $3.2 billion. At quarter-end, Ford had nearly $28 billion in cash and $46 billion in liquidity, providing considerable flexibility in a dynamic environment.
The company also declared a fourth-quarter regular dividend of 15 cents per share, payable on December 2 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 7.
Business Segment Highlights
In the third quarter, Ford Pro generated $1.8 billion in EBIT – with a margin of 11.6% – on revenue of $15.7 billion, a 13% increase from the same period a year ago. The segment’s consistent delivery of year-over-year revenue growth has been fueled by a fresh product lineup and robust demand for Super Duty trucks and Transit vans.
Paid subscriptions to Ford Pro Intelligence were up 30% in the quarter to nearly 630,000 – and repair orders fulfilled by the company’s fleet of about 2,400 mobile service vehicles grew by 70%, underscoring the huge customer demand for digital and remote experiences.
Third-quarter revenue for Ford Blue was up 3% to $26.2 billion, despite a 2% decline in global wholesales due to discontinued low margin ICE passenger vehicles.
North America volume grew by 8% driven by newly launched trucks and SUVs that helped grow Ford’s market share in the U.S. during the quarter by 40 bps to 12.6%. Ford Blue EBIT of $1.6 billion and margin of 6.2% were both down year-over-year, due to adverse exchange and higher manufacturing costs, offset partially by lower warranty expense and higher net pricing.
Global hybrid vehicle sales increased 30% in the quarter, and the company’s hybrid mix remains on pace to approach 9% by year end, up over 2 points year-over-year, with more products on the way. Ford commanded 77% of the U.S. hybrid truck market during the quarter, with hybrid truck sales up 42% in the third quarter.
The quarter included strong truck sales as well as the launch of the all-new Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator in the U.S., with more refreshed and derivative products on the way, like the Maverick pickup and Bronco Sport SUV in Q4 and the new Expedition and Navigator in early 2025.
Ford Model e reported an EBIT loss of $1.2 billion. The $500 million of year-over-year cost improvements were offset by expected industrywide pricing pressure. The segment continues to improve its profit trajectory, achieving almost $1 billion in cost improvements year-to-date.
Ford continues to remove barriers to EV adoption by offering customers greater access to charging both at home, through the Ford Power Promise, and on the road through a growing charger network. And the nearly 3,000 Ford dealers now able to sell electric vehicles are a competitive advantage as Ford reaches new customers in areas of the U.S. that might otherwise be slow to adopt electric vehicles.
Ford Credit reported third-quarter earnings before taxes (EBT) of $544 million, an increase of $186 million year-over-year.
Full-Year 2024 Outlook
Ford now expects adjusted EBIT of about $10 billion with adjusted free cash flow between $7.5 billion and $8.5 billion. Capital expenditures are expected to be between $8 - $8.5 billion.
Full-year EBIT for Ford Pro is now expected to be about $9 billion, Ford Blue about $5 billion, and Model e a full-year loss of about $5 billion. Earnings before taxes from Ford Credit are now expected to be about $1.6 billion.
Ford plans to report fourth-quarter 2024 financial results following the close of market on Feb. 5, 2025.
Conference Call Details
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and Ford Motor Credit Company released their third-quarter 2024 financial results at 4:05 p.m. ET on Monday, October 28. Following the release, at 5:00 p.m. ET, Jim Farley, Ford president and chief executive officer; John Lawler, Ford vice chair and chief financial officer; and other members of the Ford senior leadership team will host a conference call to discuss the results in the context of the company’s ambitious Ford+ plan for growth and value creation. The presentation and supporting materials will be available at shareholder.ford.com. Representatives of the investment community will be able to ask questions on the call.
Ford Third-Quarter Earnings Call: Monday, October 28, at 5:00 p.m. ET
Listen Only Dial In: 1-805-309-0220
International Dial In Lines: Click here
Conference ID: 9261965#
Webcast: Click here
Replay
Available after 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday, October 28, and through Monday, November 4
Webcast: Click here
The following applies to the information throughout this release:
- See tables later in this release for the nature and amount of special items, and reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures designated as “adjusted” to the most comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
- Wholesale unit and production volumes include Ford and Lincoln brand vehicles produced and sold by Ford or our unconsolidated affiliates and Jiangling Motors Corporation (“JMC”) brand vehicles produced and sold in China by our unconsolidated affiliate. Revenue does not include vehicles produced and sold by our unconsolidated affiliates. Wholesales and revenue exclude transactions between the Ford Blue, Ford Model e and Ford Pro business segments. See materials supporting the October 28, 2024, conference call at shareholder.ford.com for further discussion of wholesale unit volumes.
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
Statements included or incorporated by reference herein may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, forecasts, and assumptions by our management and involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, including, without limitation:
- Ford is highly dependent on its suppliers to deliver components in accordance with Ford’s production schedule and specifications, and a shortage of or inability to acquire key components or raw materials, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and manganese, can disrupt Ford’s production of vehicles;
- To facilitate access to the raw materials and other components necessary for the production of electric vehicles, Ford has entered into and may, in the future, enter into multi-year commitments to raw material and other suppliers that subject Ford to risks associated with lower future demand for such items as well as costs that fluctuate and are difficult to accurately forecast;
- Ford’s long-term competitiveness depends on the successful execution of Ford+;
- Ford’s vehicles could be affected by defects that result in recall campaigns, increased warranty costs, or delays in new model launches, and the time it takes to improve the quality of our vehicles and services could continue to have an adverse effect on our business;
- Ford may not realize the anticipated benefits of existing or pending strategic alliances, joint ventures, acquisitions, divestitures, or business strategies;
- Ford may not realize the anticipated benefits of restructuring actions and such actions may cause Ford to incur significant charges, disrupt our operations, or harm our reputation;
- Operational information systems, security systems, vehicles, and services could be affected by cybersecurity incidents, ransomware attacks, and other disruptions and impact Ford and Ford Credit as well as their suppliers and dealers;
- Ford’s production, as well as Ford’s suppliers’ production, and/or the ability to deliver products to consumers could be disrupted by labor issues, public health issues, natural or man-made disasters, adverse effects of climate change, financial distress, production difficulties, capacity limitations, or other factors;
- Failure to develop and deploy secure digital services that appeal to customers could have a negative impact on Ford’s business;
- Ford’s ability to maintain a competitive cost structure could be affected by labor or other constraints;
- Ford’s ability to attract, develop, grow, and reward talent is critical to its success and competitiveness;
- Ford’s new and existing products and digital, software, and physical services are subject to market acceptance and face significant competition from existing and new entrants in the automotive and digital and software services industries, and its reputation may be harmed if it is unable to achieve the initiatives it has announced;
- Ford’s results are dependent on sales of larger, more profitable vehicles, particularly in the United States;
- With a global footprint and supply chain, Ford’s results and operations could be adversely affected by economic or geopolitical developments, including protectionist trade policies such as tariffs, or other events;
- Industry sales volume can be volatile and could decline if there is a financial crisis, recession, public health emergency, or significant geopolitical event;
- Ford may face increased price competition or a reduction in demand for its products resulting from industry excess capacity, currency fluctuations, competitive actions, or other factors, particularly for electric vehicles;
- Inflationary pressure and fluctuations in commodity and energy prices, foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and market value of Ford or Ford Credit’s investments, including marketable securities, can have a significant effect on results;
- Ford and Ford Credit’s access to debt, securitization, or derivative markets around the world at competitive rates or in sufficient amounts could be affected by credit rating downgrades, market volatility, market disruption, regulatory requirements, or other factors;
- The impact of government incentives on Ford’s business could be significant, and Ford’s receipt of government incentives could be subject to reduction, termination, or clawback;
- Ford Credit could experience higher-than-expected credit losses, lower-than-anticipated residual values, or higher-than-expected return volumes for leased vehicles;
- Economic and demographic experience for pension and OPEB plans (e.g., discount rates or investment returns) could be worse than Ford has assumed;
- Pension and other postretirement liabilities could adversely affect Ford’s liquidity and financial condition;
- Ford and Ford Credit could experience unusual or significant litigation, governmental investigations, or adverse publicity arising out of alleged defects in products, services, perceived environmental impacts, or otherwise;
- Ford may need to substantially modify its product plans and facilities to comply with safety, emissions, fuel economy, autonomous driving technology, environmental, and other regulations;
- Ford and Ford Credit could be affected by the continued development of more stringent privacy, data use, data protection, and artificial intelligence laws and regulations as well as consumers’ heightened expectations to safeguard their personal information; and
- Ford Credit could be subject to new or increased credit regulations, consumer protection regulations, or other regulations.
We cannot be certain that any expectation, forecast, or assumption made in preparing forward-looking statements will prove accurate, or that any projection will be realized. It is to be expected that there may be differences between projected and actual results. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of their initial issuance, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For additional discussion, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 175,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.
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