What is the main purpose of this 8-K filing?

The main purpose of this 8-K filing is to announce Ford Motor Company's preliminary first-quarter 2010 financial results and to inform investors about upcoming conference calls where these results will be discussed in detail.

What is "Automotive operating-related cash flow" and why is it important?

Automotive operating-related cash flow is a key cash metric highlighted by Ford that aims to represent the ability of its Automotive operations to generate cash. Ford believes it's useful to investors because it includes operational elements like capital spending and excludes cash flow elements not considered directly related to the operations' ability to generate cash. The company states it is more representative than the standard U.S. GAAP 'Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations'.

Why does Ford present financial results excluding "special items"?

Ford presents financial results that exclude "special items" and other adjustments because they believe these measures are useful to investors. These adjusted figures aim to allow investors to evaluate the company's results by excluding items related to efforts to match production to demand, as well as other items that Ford does not consider indicative of earnings from ongoing operating activities. The filing also notes that U.S. GAAP measures including these items are available for comparison.

Where can I find the detailed financial results?

The detailed preliminary first-quarter 2010 financial results are available in the news release dated April 27, 2010, which is filed as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K. The filing also directs investors to listen-only webcasts and presentation materials available on www.shareholder.ford.com.

FORD MOTOR CO 8-K: Earnings & Results

Summary

Ford Motor Company (F) filed an 8-K on April 27, 2010, to announce its preliminary first-quarter 2010 financial results and outline upcoming investor calls. The filing references a news release (Exhibit 99) which will detail these results, including a focus on financial measures that exclude "special items" and other adjustments. Ford emphasizes that these adjusted metrics, while not strictly GAAP, are presented to offer investors a clearer view of ongoing operational performance, specifically excluding items related to capacity adjustments and those not considered indicative of core earnings. The company also highlighted key cash flow metrics, including "Automotive operating-related cash flow" and "Automotive gross cash." Ford believes these metrics provide a more relevant picture of the automotive segment's ability to generate cash, by including operational aspects like capital spending and excluding non-operational cash flows. Investors are directed to the accompanying news release for the full details and reconciliations to U.S. GAAP measures.

Key Highlights

1Ford announced preliminary first-quarter 2010 financial results via an 8-K filing on April 27, 2010.
2The company scheduled two conference calls on April 27, 2010, to discuss the Q1 results with the investment community and fixed income analysts.
3A news release (Exhibit 99) filed with the 8-K contains the detailed preliminary financial results.
4Ford plans to present financial measures that exclude "special items" and other adjustments, alongside comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
5The adjusted measures are intended to provide investors with a view of ongoing operational performance, excluding certain non-recurring or capacity-related items.
6Key cash metrics like "Automotive operating-related cash flow" and "Automotive gross cash" were highlighted as useful for investors.
7Replays of the conference calls are available for a limited time after the event, with specific passcodes provided.

FORD MOTOR CO 8-K Report, Financial Results (Apr 27, 2010)

Summary

Key Highlights

Frequently Asked Questions