Ford shares slide as automaker takes $800M hit from tariffs, cuts profit forecast

Core Viewpoint - Ford Motor has indicated that US tariffs on imported vehicles and materials will have a greater financial impact than previously anticipated, leading to a decline in its stock price by approximately 3% in after-market trading [1] Financial Impact - The second-quarter results were negatively affected by $800 million due to tariffs, which is less severe compared to some competitors due to Ford's strong domestic manufacturing base [2][8] - Ford has increased its full-year projection for tariff-related revenue losses by $500 million, now estimating a total impact of $3 billion [2][4] - The company expects adjusted earnings before interest and taxes for the full year to be between $6.5 billion and $7.5 billion, a decrease from the previous estimate of $7.0 billion to $8.5 billion [5] Quarterly Performance - For the latest quarter, Ford reported a 21% decrease in earnings per share to 37 cents, surpassing analysts' expectations of 33 cents, but recorded a net loss of $36 million primarily due to special charges [6] - Revenue for the quarter was $50.2 billion, reflecting a 5% increase year-over-year, aided by aggressive discounting strategies [7][15] Market Position and Strategy - Ford has gained market share through discounting programs, including a "zero, zero, zero" campaign offering no down payment, zero percent interest for 48 months, and no payments for the first 90 days [7] - The company has a domestic production rate of around 80% for vehicles sold in the US, which is about 25% higher than its Detroit rivals, providing some resilience against tariffs [12] Challenges - Ford faces significant challenges in its electric vehicle (EV) investments, projecting a loss of up to $5.5 billion in its EV and software business by 2025, with a $1.3 billion operating loss reported for the latest quarter [13] - Quality issues and a high volume of recalls remain critical challenges for the company, which have been prioritized for resolution by management since 2020 [14]