NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) July 26, 2011--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that it views Ford Motor Co.'s (BB-/Positive/--) second-quarter earnings, announced today, as consistent with its positive outlook on the company's rating. We believe Ford's financial performance is tracking levels consistent with a higher rating; for example, its global cash generation from automotive operations seems very likely to exceed $4 billion this year. In addition to financial performance metrics, another previously noted important consideration for a higher rating is that Ford resolves its 2011 U.S. labor contract negotiations adequately. We assume the outcome of labor talks will become known in the late fall. The automaker announced a consolidated pretax profit of $2.9 billion for the second quarter
