International sales of Ford products have increased since 2000. Ford further cemented its earnings with impressive international sales numbers and news, including:
- Pre-tax profits soared 237% in Europe (from $219 million to $739 million)
- Pre-tax profits went up 127% in South America (from $113 million to $257 million).
- Pre-tax profit in the Asia/Pacific region was $1 million pre-tax profit in the Asia/Pacific region compared to a $26 million loss last year.
- Ford introduced the Ford Fiesta, an all-new global small car, at the Geneva Motor Show. It’ll be "sold in virtually all of our major worldwide markets by 2010."
"Particularly impressive was the continued strength in Europe," Calyon Securities analyst Mark Warnsman said in a research note, Reuters reported. "The outstanding result in Europe would have meant little, however, if North America had not pulled itself back to close to breakeven."
Mulally trumpeted Ford’s international sales, which he sees as an indication of future profits. "We remain committed to our key business objectives, including our goal of reaching North America and overall automotive profitability in 2009 despite the challenging economic conditions," he said.