Ford Motor Co.
(
F
) introduced the Ford Atlas Concept, which will be the future
version of pickup trucks. Ford Atlas features next-generation
turbocharged engine EcoBoost with innovative design and advanced
engineering. With this, the company plans to develop trucks with
enhanced capability and fuel efficiency.
The next-generation EcoBoost features Start-Stop engine, which
turns off the engine in traffic. EcoBoost engines are 20% more
fuel-efficient and CO2 emission in the engines is 15% lower than
the larger-displacement engines.
The Ford Atlas Concept is based on aerodynamic elements, which
includes active grille shutters, active wheel shutters, drop-down
front air dam and power running boards. These features make
it more fuel efficient while maintaining towing and hauling
capability. Ford Atlas also focuses on capability, durability and
productivity of pickup truck in order to fulfill the needs of the
customers.
These new trucks will also help Ford to withstand stiff
competition from trucks manufactured by
General Motors Company
(
GM
) and Chrysler. General Motors has recently introduced the
upgraded version of Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra at
Pontiac. These new trucks are expected to hit the market in the
second quarter of 2013.
Ford, the largest automobile producers in the world, posted a
17.6% rise in earnings per share to 40 cents in the third quarter
of 2012 from 34 cents a year ago, driven by impressive results in
its North American operation, and to some extent, its Asian
operation. With this, the company has also surpassed the Zacks
Consensus Estimate by 10 cents per share. Total profit rose 15.6%
to $1.6 billion from $1.4 billion a year ago.
However, total revenue in the quarter slid 3.0% to $32.1 billion
due to lower revenues in South America, Europe and as the
Financial Services operations offset the marginal improvement in
revenues in North America and Asia. However, revenues were higher
than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $31.0 billion for the
quarter.
Currently, the stock retains a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
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