Ford Shares have Gained back 234% YTD with No Bailout Funds

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) unlike its rivals is TARP free and its company stock has gone from $1.50 this year to the current $7.70 range and the future is looking strong, or should I say 'Ford Tough'.

FORD IS WORLDWIDE TOUGH
Ford Motor Co. (F) said Tuesday it sold 119,338 automobiles in China in the third quarter ended Sept. 30, up 79% from a year earlier.  September sales of Ford-branded cars at its passenger-car joint venture in China, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., more than doubled from a year earlier to 23,616 units, according to separate statement from Changan Ford Sales Co.   Last month Ford Motor annouced they are putting $490 million into a new plant in China that could significantly increase Ford's production in the country after the plant opens in 2012.

Thanks to a weaker dollar Ford is cashing in and its not just China.  Ford's European unit is reporting that sales this year are up 12.3% through September to 152,600 vehicles for the month.  In addition, Ford has gained market share and now claims 10.1% of the market for European car sales. 

Barclays is the only firm that is willing to make a recent statement on all this positive Ford press.  On Oct 1st Barclays went to bat for Ford and raised their price target from $4.50 to $7.00. The firm still has a Underweight rating on the stock. The firm also lowered their 2009 loss view on Ford from ($1.37) to ($1.10). The firm cited balance sheet moves and additional earnings power.  

Ford is the only Detroit automaker to not seek TARP bailout loans and if we are headed out of a recession, why not Buy American and invest in Ford Motor?

Disclaimer: No positions in F.