EX-99.1 2 ex99_1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 ex99_1.htm

Exhibit 99.1
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Contact:
Brenda Hines
1-313-594-1099
 
Fixed Income Investment Community:
David Dickenson
1-313-621-0881
   
ddickens@ford.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FORD MOTOR CREDIT EARNS $775 MILLION IN 2007*
Fourth Quarter 2007 Earnings of $186 Million Reported

DEARBORN, Mich., January 24, 2008 – Ford Motor Credit Company reported net income of $775 million in 2007, down $508 million from earnings of $1,283 million a year earlier.  On a pre-tax basis, Ford Motor Credit earned $1,215 million in 2007, down $738 million from 2006.  The decrease in full year earnings primarily reflected the non-recurrence of credit loss reserve reductions, higher borrowing costs, higher depreciation expense for leased vehicles and higher costs due to our North American business transformation initiative.  These were offset partially by lower net losses related to market valuation adjustments from derivatives and lower expenses primarily reflecting improved operating costs.

In the fourth quarter of 2007, Ford Motor Credit's net income was $186 million, down $93 million from a year earlier.  On a pre-tax basis, Ford Motor Credit earned $263 million in the fourth quarter, compared with $406 million in the previous year.  The decrease in fourth quarter earnings primarily reflected the non-recurrence of credit loss reserve reductions, higher borrowing costs and higher depreciation expense for leased vehicles, offset partially by lower expenses and the non-recurrence of losses related to market valuation adjustments from derivatives.

"We had a good year in 2007 with a business that performed consistently and predictably," said Mike Bannister, chairman and CEO.  "With our sound business fundamentals, we have a strong foundation for the future."

Ford Motor Credit expects its earnings in 2008 to be about equal to its earnings in 2007.

On December 31, 2007, Ford Motor Credit's on-balance sheet net receivables totaled $141 billion, compared with $135 billion at year-end 2006.  Managed receivables were $147 billion, down from $148 billion a year ago.

On December 31, 2007, managed leverage was 9.8 to 1.

Ford Motor Credit Company LLC is one of the world's largest automotive finance companies and has supported the sale of Ford Motor Company products since 1959.  Ford Motor Credit is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Ford.  It provides automotive financing for Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda and Volvo dealers and customers.  More information can be found at http://www.fordcredit.com and at Ford Motor Credit's investor center, http://www.fordcredit.com/investorcenter/.
 
_____________
 
 
*
The financial results discussed herein are presented on a preliminary basis; final data will be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
# # #



Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Statements included or incorporated by reference herein may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, forecasts and assumptions by our management and involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, including, without limitation:

Automotive Related:
 
Continued decline in Ford's market share;
 
Continued or increased price competition for Ford vehicles resulting from industry overcapacity, currency fluctuations or other factors;
 
An increase in or acceleration of market shift away from sales of trucks, sport utility vehicles, or other more profitable vehicles, particularly in the United States;
 
A significant decline in industry sales and our financing of those sales, particularly in the United States or Europe, resulting from slowing economic growth, geo-political events or other factors;
 
Lower-than-anticipated market acceptance of new or existing Ford products;
 
Continued or increased high prices for or reduced availability of fuel;
 
Adverse effects from the bankruptcy or insolvency of, change in ownership or control of, or alliances entered into by a major competitor;
 
Economic distress of suppliers that has in the past or may in the future require Ford to provide financial support or take other measures to ensure supplies of components or materials;
 
Work stoppages at Ford or supplier facilities or other interruptions of supplies;
 
Single-source supply of components or materials;
 
Inability to implement Memorandum of Understanding with UAW to fund and discharge retiree health care obligations because of failure to obtain court approval or otherwise;
 
The discovery of defects in Ford vehicles resulting in delays in new model launches, recall campaigns or increased warranty costs;
 
Increased safety, emissions (e.g., CO2), fuel economy or other regulation resulting in higher costs, cash expenditures and/or sales restrictions;
 
Unusual or significant litigation or governmental investigations arising out of alleged defects in Ford products or otherwise;
 
A change in Ford’s requirements for parts or materials where it has entered into long-term supply arrangements that commit it to purchase minimum or fixed quantities of certain parts or materials, or to pay a minimum amount to the seller ("take-or-pay contracts");
 
Adverse effects on our results from a decrease in or cessation of government incentives;
 
Adverse effects on Ford’s operations resulting from geo-political or other events;
 
Substantial negative operating-related cash flows for the near- to medium-term affecting Ford’s ability to meet its obligations, invest in its business or refinance its debt;
 
Substantial levels of indebtedness adversely affecting Ford’s financial condition or preventing Ford from fulfilling its debt obligations (which may grow because Ford is able to incur substantially more debt, including additional secured debt);

Ford Credit Related:
 
Inability to access debt or securitization markets around the world at competitive rates or in sufficient amounts due to additional credit rating downgrades, market volatility, market disruptions or otherwise;
 
Higher-than-expected credit losses;
 
Increased competition from banks or other financial institutions seeking to increase their share of financing Ford vehicles;
 
Collection and servicing problems related to our finance receivables and net investment in operating leases;
 
Lower-than-anticipated residual values or higher-than-expected return volumes for leased vehicles;
 
New or increased credit, consumer or data protection or other regulations resulting in higher costs and/or additional financing restrictions;
 
Changes in Ford’s operations or changes in Ford’s marketing programs could result in a decline in our financing volumes;

General:
 
Labor or other constraints on Ford's or our ability to restructure its or our business;
 
Substantial pension and postretirement healthcare and life insurance liabilities impairing Ford’s or our liquidity or financial condition;
 
Worse-than-assumed economic and demographic experience for postretirement benefit plans (e.g., discount rates, investment returns, and health care cost trends);
 
Currency or commodity price fluctuations; and
 
Changes in interest rates.

We cannot be certain that any expectations, forecasts or assumptions made by management in preparing these forward-looking statements will prove accurate, or that any projections will be realized.  It is to be expected that there may be differences between projected and actual results.  Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of their initial issuance, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  For additional discussion of these risk factors, see Item 1A of Part I of our 2006 10-K Report and Item 1A of Part I of Ford's 2006 10-K Report.



FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
PRELIMINARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(in millions)
 
   
Fourth Quarter
   
Full Year
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
       
Financing revenue
                       
Operating leases
  $ 1,680     $ 1,465     $ 6,343     $ 5,608  
Retail
    895       879       3,475       3,649  
Interest supplements and other support costs earned from affiliated companies
    1,214       1,004       4,592       3,487  
Wholesale
    525       571       2,132       2,419  
Other
    41       52       174       215  
Total financing revenue
    4,355       3,971       16,716       15,378  
Depreciation on vehicles subject to operating leases
    (1,667 )     (1,370 )     (6,188 )     (5,189 )
Interest expense
    (2,166 )     (2,096 )     (8,630 )     (7,818 )
Net financing margin
    522       505       1,898       2,371  
Other revenue
                               
Investment and other income related to sales of receivables
    83       126       391       668  
Insurance premiums earned, net
    39       40       169       182  
Other income, net
    398       330       1,362       1,019  
Total financing margin and other revenue
    1,042       1,001       3,820       4,240  
Expenses
                               
Operating expenses
    478       547       1,929       2,038  
Provision for credit losses
    287       31       588       95  
Insurance expenses
    14       17       88       154  
Total expenses
    779       595       2,605       2,287  
Income before income taxes
    263       406       1,215       1,953  
Provision for income taxes
    83       127       446       670  
Income before minority interests
    180       279       769       1,283  
Minority interests in net income of subsidiaries
    0       0       0       0  
Income from continuing operations
    180       279       769       1,283  
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations
    6             6        
Net income
  $ 186     $ 279     $ 775     $ 1,283  


 
FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
PRELIMINARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(in millions)

   
December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
ASSETS
 
(Unaudited)
       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 14,137     $ 12,331  
Marketable securities
    3,155       10,161  
Finance receivables, net
    111,468       109,405  
Net investment in operating leases
    29,663       25,939  
Retained interest in securitized assets
    653       990  
Notes and accounts receivable from affiliated companies
    906       950  
Derivative financial instruments
    2,811       2,445  
Other assets
    6,230       5,752  
Total assets
  $ 169,023     $ 167,973  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S INTEREST/EQUITY
               
Liabilities
               
Accounts payable
               
Customer deposits, dealer reserves and other
  $ 1,837     $ 1,509  
Affiliated companies
    2,308       3,648  
Total accounts payable
    4,145       5,157  
Debt
    139,411       139,740  
Deferred income taxes
    5,380       6,783  
Derivative financial instruments
    1,376       937  
Other liabilities and deferred income
    5,314       3,588  
Total liabilities
    155,626       156,205  
                 
Minority interests in net assets of subsidiaries
    3       3  
                 
Shareholder's interest/equity
               
Capital stock and paid in surplus
          5,149  
Shareholder's interest
    5,149        
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,730       825  
Retained earnings
    6,515       5,791  
Total shareholder's interest/equity
    13,394       11,765  
Total liabilities and shareholder's interest/equity
  $ 169,023     $ 167,973  


 
FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS


   
Fourth Quarter
   
Full Year
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
Financing Shares
                       
United States
                       
Financing share – Ford, Lincoln and Mercury
                       
Retail installment and lease
    32 %     33 %     38 %     44 %
Wholesale
    78       80       78       80  
                                 
Europe
                               
Financing share – Ford
                               
Retail installment and lease
    27 %     30 %     26 %     27 %
Wholesale
    96       95       96       95  
                                 
Contract Volume – New and used retail/lease (in thousands)
                               
North America segment
                               
United States
    248       262       1,256       1,574  
Canada
    38       43       186       189  
Total North America segment
    286       305       1,442       1,763  
                                 
International segment
                               
Europe
    155       171       696       711  
Other international
    48       52       207       233  
Total International segment
    203       223       903       944  
Total contract volume
    489       528       2,345       2,707  
                                 
Borrowing Cost Rate*
    6.2 %     5.9 %     6.1 %     5.5 %
                                 
Charge-offs  (in millions)
                               
On-Balance Sheet Receivables
                               
Retail installment & lease
  $ 220     $ 158     $ 608     $ 465  
Wholesale
    (8 )     19       17       44  
Other
    4       12       7       14  
Total charge-offson-balance sheet receivables
  $ 216     $ 189     $ 632     $ 523  
                                 
Total loss-to-receivables ratio
    0.61 %     0.56 %     0.46 %     0.39 %
                                 
Managed Receivables**
                               
Retail installment & lease
  $ 237     $ 179     $ 673     $ 551  
Wholesale
    (8 )     19       17       44  
Other
    4       12       7       14  
Total charge-offs managed receivables
  $ 233     $ 210     $ 697     $ 609  
                                 
Total loss-to-receivables ratio
    0.62 %     0.56 %     0.47 %     0.41 %
 
_________
 
*         On-balance sheet debt, includes the effects of derivatives and facility fees
**       See appendix for additional information




FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
APPENDIX

In evaluating Ford Motor Credit's financial performance, Ford Motor Credit management uses financial statements and other financial measures in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP").  Included below are brief definitions of key terms, information about the impact of on-balance sheet securitization and a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to GAAP.

NON-GAAP MEASURES AND KEY TERMS:
 
·
Managed receivables:  receivables reported on Ford Motor Credit's balance sheet and receivables Ford Motor Credit sold in off-balance sheet securitizations and continues to service
 
·
Charge-offs on managed receivables:  charge-offs associated with receivables reported on Ford Motor Credit's balance sheet and charge-offs associated with receivables that Ford Motor Credit sold in off-balance sheet securitizations and continues to service
 
·
Equity: shareholder's interest and historical stockholder's equity reported on Ford Motor Credit's balance sheet

IMPACT OF ON-BALANCE SHEET SECURITIZATION:  Finance receivables (retail and wholesale) and net investment in operating leases reported on Ford Motor Credit's balance sheet include assets included in securitizations that do not qualify for accounting sale treatment.  These assets are available only for repayment of the debt or other obligations issued or arising in the securitization transactions; they are not available to pay the other obligations of Ford Motor Credit or the claims of Ford Motor Credit's other creditors.  Debt reported on Ford Motor Credit's balance sheet includes obligations issued or arising in securitizations that are payable only out of collections on the underlying securitized assets and related enhancements.
 
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP:
           
             
Managed Leverage Calculation
 
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(in billions)
 
Total debt
  $ 139.4     $ 139.7  
Securitized off-balance sheet receivables outstanding
    6.0       12.2  
Retained interest in securitized off-balance sheet receivables
    (0.7 )     (1.0 )
Adjustments for cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities*
    (16.7 )     (21.8 )
Adjustments for hedge accounting on total debt
    0.0       (0.1 )
Total adjusted debt
  $ 128.0     $ 129.0  
                 
Total shareholder's equity (including minority interest)
  $ 13.4     $ 11.8  
Adjustments for hedge accounting on equity
    (0.3 )     (0.5 )
Total adjusted equity
  $ 13.1     $ 11.3  
                 
Managed leverage (to 1) = adjusted debt / adjusted equity
    9.8       11.4  
Memo:  Financial statement leverage (to 1) = total debt / total shareholder's equity
    10.4       11.9  
 
Net Finance Receivables and Operating Leases
 
Managed Receivables
 
   
On-Balance
   
Off-Balance
       
   
Sheet
   
Sheet
   
Total
 
December 31, 2007
 
(in billions)
 
Retail installment
  $ 73.3     $ 6.0     $ 79.3  
Wholesale
    34.7             34.7  
Other finance receivables
    3.4             3.4  
Net investment in operating leases
    29.7             29.7  
Total net finance receivables and operating leases
  $ 141.1     $ 6.0     $ 147.1  
                         
December 31, 2006
                       
Retail installment
  $ 70.4     $ 12.2     $ 82.6  
Wholesale
    35.2             35.2  
Other finance receivables
    3.8             3.8  
Net investment in operating leases
    25.9             25.9  
Total net finance receivables and operating leases
  $ 135.3     $ 12.2     $ 147.5  
 
___________
*  Excludes marketable securities related to insurance activities.