Debt of the Ford Motor Company 2007-2023

The Ford Motor Company reported total debt around 149.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Total debt comprises automotive debt, credit debt, and other debt.

The Ford Motor Company’s debt

In 2008, when the global economy tumbled into recession, the CEOs of all Big Three US automakers flew into Washington DC to plead for emergency government aid. Unlike General Motors and Chrysler, Ford’s executive Alan Mulally decided against a rescue package from Congress, although the firm recorded losses of around 15 billion US dollars in 2008 – which represented an annual loss of about 11 billion US dollars. The situation was further exacerbated when the company lost market share to Asian carmakers: The automobile manufacturer’s U.S. market share declined by almost nine percent between 1999 and 2009. In order to shave down the significant debt obligations it had, the Ford Motor Company underwent a restructuring process which included the elimination of various brands from its portfolio. As a result, the rating for Ford’s bonds was raised from junk to BB in 2010. In the fiscal year of 2012, the Ford Motor Company reported total debt of around 90 billion US dollars, down from about 154 billion US dollars in the fiscal year of 2008.

Founded and incorporated in 1903 by Henry Ford, the Ford Motor Company is headquartered just 15 minutes away from Detroit, the center of the U.S. automotive manufacturing industry. In order to meet the overwhelming demand for its Model T vehicles, the company was the first automaker worldwide to perfect assembly line production. The company still produces highly sought-after models today, including the Ford F-Series, one of the best selling light truck models worldwide. The carmaker’s wholly owned brands include the Ford marque and Lincoln.