Ford logs $2 billion loss in 2022, says profit was left ‘on the table’

Revenue rose 17% to $44 billion.

“We should have done much better last year,” Farley said. “We left about $2 billion in profits on the table that were within our control, and we’re going to correct that with improved execution and performance.”

Analysts polled by FactSet expected Ford to report adjusted earnings of 62 cents a share on sales of $41.4 billion.

Ford stock fell more than 6% in extended trading after the results. The stock ended the regular trading day up 3.8%.

Ford said that despite results that fell below expectations, it is “optimistic” about the future and about “what’s possible” since it reorganized itself into three businesses, including the “Model e” line focusing on EVs.

“I’m excited about 2023, which is pivotal for us,” Farley said.

Ford announced its reorganization last March, also setting up businesses for its legacy conventionally-powered vehicles and for its vans and other commercial vehicles.

For 2023, Ford guided for between $9 billion to $11 billion in EBIT, but cautioned that headwinds included a potential “mild” recession in the U.S. and a “moderate” recession in Europe, higher customer incentives for the industry as a whole, and a “continued” strong dollar.

Catalysts, however, include supply-chain improvements and higher industry volumes as well as lower costs for commodities, logistics and other aspects of the business.

For said it will hold an investor day on March 23, which it dubbed a “teach-in” about its new structure.

Ford said Monday that it was “significantly increasing” production of its Mustang Mach-E electric SUV in 2023 and lowering prices.

The Mach-E was the No. 3 best-selling EV model in the U.S. in 2022, “and the updated pricing is part of Ford’s plan to keep the SUV competitive in a rapidly changing market,” Ford said at the time.

Tesla Inc.
TSLA,
+3.78%
earlier this month slashed prices of several of its models, including its cheaper Model Y compact SUV and Model 3 sedan, in the U.S. and in several European countries by between 6% and 20%.

GM
GM,
+5.60%,
which reported fourth-quarter earnings on Tuesday, and Chief Executive Mary Barra said the auto maker did not plan on lowering its prices, saying GM cars are priced “right where they need to be.”

See also: Tesla and Ford are cutting auto prices, but GM says it won’t

Ford shares have lost about 31% in the last 12 months, compared with losses of around 9% for the S&P 500 index
SPX,
+1.47%.