It's a strategic move. Ford believes that people have seen increasing costs in other parts of their lives, including higher mortgage rates. Management thinks that forgoing an up-front down payment will enable people to purchase a new vehicle.

Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley called on U.S. companies to invest in skilled trades, manufacturing and other “essential economy” jobs in an effort to boost productivity and reduce

Ford and its philanthropic arm are donating money, and dealers will donate cars and aid to Texans impacted. Toyota and GM have plans to help, too.

For mass-market brands, Nissan might have shocked a few investors in ranking highest, or scoring lowest, at 169 PP100. Hyundai and Chevrolet (part of General Motors) rounded out the top three for mass-market brands with scores of 173 PP100 and 178 PP100, respectively.

Jim, a virtual artist known as "jlord8" on social media, loves messing around with all things CGI from the automotive realm, he dreams of a revived Thunderbird

For Stellantis and Ford suppliers, new business and financial help comes with unique strings attached. That’s not to say other automakers are not tough negotiators, but the Blue Oval and maker of Jeep, Chrysler, Ram and Dodge vehicles are outliers in their hardline supplier tactics, according to those who do business with them.

Ford is facing an earnings decline of $1.5 billion due to tariffs, and management cut its guidance for the year. The carmaker's shares look inexpensive, but it's unclear where the company's growth catalyst will come from.

How you feel with the salesperson and how you feel you were treated overall." Seavitt, 77, knows a thing or two about building trust with customers. He has owned Village Ford in Dearborn since 1982 and he is one of the distinguished Ford dealers to win the automaker's prestigious Triple Crown Award — which recognizes achievements in new car sales,

Ford Motor Co. has struck a deal with a German labor union that includes protections for more than 10,000 workers at its Cologne plant and voluntary job reductions as the Dearborn automakers struggles with selling electric vehicles in Europe.