Ford Motor has raised its full-year profit guidance after a stronger-than-expected third quarter, and reiterated a long-term target of an 8% adjusted EBIT margin by 2029, according to Chinese automotive outlet Gasgoo (盖世汽车), which first reported the results.
In the third quarter of 2026, Ford reported revenue of $49.5 billion and adjusted EBIT of $2.7 billion, up 3% year on year. The adjusted EBIT margin reached 5.4%, an improvement of 0.3 percentage points from a year earlier. Adjusted free cash flow for the quarter came in at $4.7 billion, and the company ended the period with $25.3 billion in cash and total liquidity of $46.4 billion.
Guidance raised on cost cuts and services growth
Ford now expects full-year 2026 adjusted EBIT of $10.5 billion to $11 billion, up from its previous outlook. The company kept its guidance for adjusted free cash flow at $6 billion to $7 billion and capital expenditure at $9.5 billion to $10.5 billion. Ford cautioned that the forecast does not account for a major escalation in the Middle East or a significant downturn in the U.S. economy.
CEO Jim Farley credited the quarter to the company's ongoing transformation, which he said has entered a critical phase. Over the coming years, Ford plans to roll out a common EV platform, its Ford Energy business, an all-new F-150, and several new global models.
Beyond vehicle sales, Ford said its cost-reduction programs, software services and parts operations posted record growth, becoming new pillars of the business. The company wants to diversify away from relying solely on car sales as it works toward its medium-term goal of an 8% adjusted EBIT margin by 2029.
The results come as Ford competes with Chinese EV makers in global markets, though the report did not detail any specific China-related plans.
