Ford Shows that it Pays to be Above Bailouts

Meredith Jessup | January 28, 2010 12:43 PM

Congratulations to the Ford Motor Co.! The automaker announced today that it returned to profits in 2009, making $2.7 billion--its first annual profit in four years.

A full year after Ford's domestic competitors accepted federal corporate welfare bailouts from Uncle Sam, the future of GM and Chrysler remains uncertain. At the same time, foreign auto giant Toyota finds itself in the midst of a huge recall mess.

Meanwhile, Ford is forecasting a full-year profit for 2010 and promises to be "solidly profitable" by 2011. Well done.