Latest news with #ModelE
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Is Ford Blue Fueling Model e's Future in the Changing Auto Landscape?
The automotive giant, Ford Motor Company F, is steadfast in its race toward relevance. As the company electrifies its product lineup through the Model e segment, its legacy Ford Blue segment is the cash engine behind it. The traditional internal combustion engine business has iconic models like the F-Series, Ranger, Maverick, Bronco, Explorer and Mustang under its name. In the last reported quarter, total wholesale volume in the Ford Blue segment decreased 6% year over year to 588,000 units but exceeded our expectation of 524,000 units. Ford Blue segment had logged revenues of $21 billion (with an EBIT of $96 million) compared to Ford Pro and Model e's revenues of $15.2 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, in the first quarter of 2025. Model e remained a loss-making segment. As Model e's ambitions require capital-intensive investments, Ford primarily funds those with the profitability from its ICE vehicles. The massive Ford Blue segment continues to generate profits to balance off losses, maintain customer loyalty with legacy models, leverage dealer networks and lead through innovation in hybrid models. This would act as a strong foundation for Model e to build on its EV and software-led business. Ford expects to sell fewer ICE vehicles compared to last year. Additionally, a shift in product mix and foreign exchange headwinds will drag profits. Despite that, it is expected to sufficiently do well as a bridge to EVs' long-term growth strategy. General Motors Company (GM), Ford's closest rival, boasts of 17.2% U.S. auto market share. General Motors has lowered its full-year 2025 guidance, owing to an estimated $4-$5 million exposure to the impacts of auto tariffs. However, it is advancing well in its electrification journey. In the final quarter of 2024, General Motors' EV portfolio became 'variable profit positive' with plans to cut EV-related losses further this year. On the other hand, the company continues to invest heavily in expanding ICE production at the U.S. plants. Stellantis N.V. (STLA), another multinational automaker, has plans to reassess its capital spending strategies. The company has also brought down its EV production and is bringing its ICE back. Stellantis notices that U.S. markets are still demanding the traditional gas-powered muscle cars. EVs are gaining traction but will be put in the backseat for now. A slower shift to EVs will allow Stellantis to examine its infrastructure challenges. Shares of Ford have lost around 8.7% over the past year against the industry's growth of 14.9%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, F trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.26, below the industry average. It carries a Value Score of A. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Take a look at how Ford's EPS estimates have been revised over the past 30 days. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Ford currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ford Motor Company (F) : Free Stock Analysis Report General Motors Company (GM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Stellantis N.V. (STLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Is Ford Blue Fueling Model e's Future in the Changing Auto Landscape?
The automotive giant, Ford Motor Company F, is steadfast in its race toward relevance. As the company electrifies its product lineup through the Model e segment, its legacy Ford Blue segment is the cash engine behind it. The traditional internal combustion engine business has iconic models like the F-Series, Ranger, Maverick, Bronco, Explorer and Mustang under its name. In the last reported quarter, total wholesale volume in the Ford Blue segment decreased 6% year over year to 588,000 units but exceeded our expectation of 524,000 units. Ford Blue segment had logged revenues of $21 billion (with an EBIT of $96 million) compared to Ford Pro and Model e's revenues of $15.2 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, in the first quarter of 2025. Model e remained a loss-making segment. As Model e's ambitions require capital-intensive investments, Ford primarily funds those with the profitability from its ICE vehicles. The massive Ford Blue segment continues to generate profits to balance off losses, maintain customer loyalty with legacy models, leverage dealer networks and lead through innovation in hybrid models. This would act as a strong foundation for Model e to build on its EV and software-led business. Ford expects to sell fewer ICE vehicles compared to last year. Additionally, a shift in product mix and foreign exchange headwinds will drag profits. Despite that, it is expected to sufficiently do well as a bridge to EVs' long-term growth strategy. Peer Check: GM & STLA General Motors Company ( GM ), Ford's closest rival, boasts of 17.2% U.S. auto market share. General Motors has lowered its full-year 2025 guidance, owing to an estimated $4-$5 million exposure to the impacts of auto tariffs. However, it is advancing well in its electrification journey. In the final quarter of 2024, General Motors' EV portfolio became 'variable profit positive' with plans to cut EV-related losses further this year. On the other hand, the company continues to invest heavily in expanding ICE production at the U.S. plants. Stellantis N.V. ( STLA ), another multinational automaker, has plans to reassess its capital spending strategies. The company has also brought down its EV production and is bringing its ICE back. Stellantis notices that U.S. markets are still demanding the traditional gas-powered muscle cars. EVs are gaining traction but will be put in the backseat for now. A slower shift to EVs will allow Stellantis to examine its infrastructure challenges. The Zacks Rundown for Ford Shares of Ford have lost around 8.7% over the past year against the industry 's growth of 14.9%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, F trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.26, below the industry average. It carries a Value Score of A. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Take a look at how Ford's EPS estimates have been revised over the past 30 days. Ford currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Zacks' Research Chief Picks Stock Most Likely to "At Least Double" Our experts have revealed their Top 5 recommendations with money-doubling potential – and Director of Research Sheraz Mian believes one is superior to the others. Of course, all our picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier recommendations like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%. See Our Top Stock to Double (Plus 4 Runners Up) >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ford Motor Company (F): Free Stock Analysis Report General Motors Company (GM): Free Stock Analysis Report Stellantis N.V. (STLA): Free Stock Analysis Report
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Is Ford Pro Unit Doing the Heavy Lifting for the Company's Growth?
U.S. auto giant Ford Motor Company F runs three business segments — Ford Pro, Model e and Ford Blue. On its latest earnings release, Ford Pro clocked $1.3 billion EBIT. Ford Blue reported $96 million EBIT, a slump from the prior-year quarter's $901 million, losing significant momentum. The Model e segment could not break its streak of continuous losses. Thus, Ford Pro has proven to be the only competitive advantage in Ford's stride. The Ford Pro segment offers products and services to its commercial customers, including small businesses, fleet operators and government agencies. The lineup of customer favourites, such as F-150, Transit Van, Super Duty, Maverick, makes it a strong product-driven segment. Ford also provides additional services like fleet management and financing options to its customers. Ford Pro currently holds 40% market share in North America and aims to maintain EBIT margins in the mid-teens. The segment has around 675,000 paid software subscriptions, with strong ARPU growth driving incremental revenues. Software services also serve as a countercyclical measure for the segment. Ford Pro plans to emerge as a growth engine by accompanying traditional automotive services with software-defined vehicles and connected services to fleet customers. The sustainable methods adopted in this segment, while also ensuring capital efficiency, have provided Ford with a firm foundation and improved capabilities. Its remaining segments now plan on following Ford Pro's footsteps to revive operations. As of now, Ford Pro remains a segment of high strategic importance. Some other stocks in the Auto space are Tesla, Inc. TSLA and General Motors Company GM. Shares of Ford have lost around 2% over the past year against the industry's growth of 22.9%. Its peers, General Motors and Tesla, have gained 7.7% and 83.3%, respectively, over the same period. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, F trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.26, below the industry average. It carries a Value Score of A. In comparison to this, General Motors and Tesla trade at 0.28 and 9.48, respectively, with a Value score of A and F. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Take a look at how Ford's EPS estimates have been revised over the past 30 days. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Ford stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ford Motor Company (F) : Free Stock Analysis Report General Motors Company (GM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Globe and Mail
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Is Ford Pro Unit Doing the Heavy Lifting for the Company's Growth?
U.S. auto giant Ford Motor Company F runs three business segments — Ford Pro, Model e and Ford Blue. On its latest earnings release, Ford Pro clocked $1.3 billion EBIT. Ford Blue reported $96 million EBIT, a slump from the prior-year quarter's $901 million, losing significant momentum. The Model e segment could not break its streak of continuous losses. Thus, Ford Pro has proven to be the only competitive advantage in Ford's stride. The Ford Pro segment offers products and services to its commercial customers, including small businesses, fleet operators and government agencies. The lineup of customer favourites, such as F-150, Transit Van, Super Duty, Maverick, makes it a strong product-driven segment. Ford also provides additional services like fleet management and financing options to its customers. Ford Pro currently holds 40% market share in North America and aims to maintain EBIT margins in the mid-teens. The segment has around 675,000 paid software subscriptions, with strong ARPU growth driving incremental revenues. Software services also serve as a countercyclical measure for the segment. Ford Pro plans to emerge as a growth engine by accompanying traditional automotive services with software-defined vehicles and connected services to fleet customers. The sustainable methods adopted in this segment, while also ensuring capital efficiency, have provided Ford with a firm foundation and improved capabilities. Its remaining segments now plan on following Ford Pro's footsteps to revive operations. As of now, Ford Pro remains a segment of high strategic importance. The Zacks Rundown for Ford Some other stocks in the Auto space are Tesla, Inc. TSLA and General Motors Company GM. Shares of Ford have lost around 2% over the past year against the industry 's growth of 22.9%. Its peers, General Motors and Tesla, have gained 7.7% and 83.3%, respectively, over the same period. From a valuation standpoint, F trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.26, below the industry average. It carries a Value Score of A. In comparison to this, General Motors and Tesla trade at 0.28 and 9.48, respectively, with a Value score of A and F. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Take a look at how Ford's EPS estimates have been revised over the past 30 days. Ford stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops." Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.5% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ford Motor Company (F): Free Stock Analysis Report General Motors Company (GM): Free Stock Analysis Report Tesla, Inc. (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report
South Wales Argus
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Audi A5 review - is the Audi A4 replacement a better car?
Datsun was the original name given to cars built by Nissan and sold in Europe. The badge was dropped in 1984 in favour of the parent company's brand. Going through a rebrand is a risky and very expensive business. In Datsun/Nissan's case it cost the company half a billion dollars… in 1984. Today that translates to roughly $1.3 billion just to change a name plate. And Nissan is far from alone. Mitsubishi cars used to be branded as Colts in the UK and Daewoo transformed into Chevrolet (in Europe at least) before disappearing altogether. Cars change their names too. Famously, Porsche was forced into a last minute change for its 901 sportscar when Peugeot claimed the number. Instead, it's rear-engined sportster was called… the 911. Tesla's Model 3 was originally going to be the Model E because the four model range would then spell out S-E-X-Y. Thankfully, clearer heads prevailed. The Alfa Romeo 164 saloon had to be rebranded as the 168 in Taiwan and Hong Kong because the number 164 means 'all the way to death' in Chinese. Which brings us to the Audi A5. The A5 is the new name for the A4, Audi's highly successful compact premium saloon. Why? Because last year marketeers decreed that odd numbers would henceforth denote internally combusted engines and even numbers would be reserved for electrically powered models. Or at least it did until earlier this year when the company did an about turn following complaints that the rebrand was causing confusion. Except it has no plans to swap the A5 back to the A4 – the only model to be rebranded before the whole plan was scrapped. Confused? You're not alone. I had the A5 on test and was approached twice by enthusiasts asking if it was the new Audi coupe. To which my answer was 'sort of' because there isn't going to be a direct replacement for the old two-door A5 Coupe. That's not to say the new A5 is unattractive. The shape is a modern re-interpretation of the previous generation A4 (internally known as the B9) which was hailed as one of the most beautiful cars in the world in a survey a few years ago – so that's a good place to start. The A5 brings the body style up-to-date with a bigger grille, sleeker headlights, flush-fitting door handles and a full width light bar at the rear that echoes the Audi A6 EV. The good news carries on when you slip inside. Audi has a justifiable reputation for building some of the best cabins in the automotive business and the A5 is packed with high technology. Most obviously, there's the full width digital screen set-up which adds a third monitor above the glovebox for the passenger to fiddle around with (they can change the radio station, call up a weather forecast and see how fast you are travelling among other things). Audi says the third screen cannot be seen by the driver but I was always aware of it out of the corner of my eye. The old A4 was one of the first Audi models after the Mk3 TT to get a virtual cockpit back in 2015 and the new system goes one further with a sweeping panoramic monitor set-up that can be customised to your individual requirements. The central screen is a whopping 14.5 inches and responds instantly thanks to a beefy processor upgrade and changes to the user interface. The high resolution means the graphics are sharp and easy to read. The main instrument screen measures 11.9 inches and displays all you need to know at a glance. Sadly, the beautiful row of silver alloy switches for the air con and climate control in the old A4 has been replaced by virtual controls on the new A5. At least they are permanently 'on' so it's fairly easy to adjust the temperate regardless of what you're doing (albeit not as simple as just flicking a switch). Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are standard along with a handy wireless charging plate for compatible phones. The Sound and Vision optional upgrade adds a Bang & Olufsen branded stereo and a head-up display. Touch sensitive pads on the steering control the audio and cruise/speed limiter, but they can sometimes be activated by mistake when turning the wheel and your palm accidentally brushes against them. There's more room inside the new A5, which is both longer and wider than its predecessor, and five adults can sit in complete comfort, although there's a transmission tunnel hump to be straddled by anyone sitting in the middle. The new model is more practical, too. Despite being designated as a saloon, the new model actually has a hatchback which opens to reveal a 445-litre space (417-litre in 4WD versions) that can be expanded by dropping the rear seat backs, creating a very useful long and flat load area. The BMW 3-Series may have a slightly larger boot, but it can't compete with the A5's hatchback versatility. Audi sent the diesel A5 for evaluation. It's been awhile since I've had the pleasure of driving a turbo diesel – a far cry from the mid-Noughties when, for a time, it seemed as if DERV was the future. On re-acquaintance it's easy to understand why. Fast, smooth and very economical, the TDI has to be the engine of choice if you do a lot of motorway miles thanks to its effortless mid-range shove and miserly fuel consumption. At any speed, the A5 is quiet and smooth thanks to those smooth aerodynamic looks and acoustically-tuned glass. It's a very fine place to spend a long journey. It's a pretty snappy mover as well. If you choose the Quattro all-wheel drive version 62mph comes up in less then seven seconds. More importantly, there's enough mid-range torque to accomplish overtakes with nothing more than a mere flex of your right foot. The A4 – and the Audi 80 before it – have been a mainstay of the German marque's range for the best part of three decades. It's not hard to see why. With its smart looks, posh interior, roomy cabin and flexible load carrying capacity, the A5 is all the car most people will ever need. As for the name change, I think if this car were a breakfast cereal it would be Coco Pops – a firm family favourite that was rebranded as Coco Krispies in 1998 prompting a national outcry before common sense won out and the chocolate-flavour breakfast reverted to its original name just months later. Whatever the badge says, it's a damn good car.
