TM Toyota Motor Corporation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has avowed the top vehicle safety rating on Ford Motor Co.’s (F) 2013 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid. In the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) testing by NHTSA, which assess vehicle performance in frontal and side-impact crash tests and resistance to rollover, both the gasoline-powered and hybrid versions of Fusion obtained a five-star Overall Vehicle Score.

Recently, 2013 Fusion was also rated as the Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This is the highest rating offered by IIHS for vehicle safety.

Both versions of Fusion are equipped with personal safety system, new safety belt technologies and airbag systems. The airbags are specifically designed to provide added protection to the passengers.

Recently, Toyota Motor Corp.’s (TM) best-selling 2013 Camry passenger car received a poor crash-test rating from IIHS. However, its predecessor, 2012 Camry was chosen as a Top Safety Pick by IIHS and received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA.

Meanwhile, Honda Motor Co.’s (HMC) redesigned Accord sedan received high marks from IIHS. Accord was among a group of 2013 model year midsize cars tested by the insurance industry group.

Michigan-based Ford is one of the largest automobile producers in the world. The company operates in two segments: Automotive and Financial services. Although the company’s primary selling ground is the U.S.; Europe, South America and the Asia-Pacific constitute its other major markets.

Ford posted a 17.6% rise in earnings per share to 40 cents in the third quarter of the year from 34 cents a year ago, driven by impressive results in its North American operation and, to some extent, its Asian operation. With this, the company has also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10 cents per share. Total profit rose 15.6% to $1.6 billion from $1.4 billion a year ago.

However, total revenue in the quarter slid 3.0% to $32.1 billion due to lower revenues in South America, Europe and Financial Services operations that offset the marginal improvement in revenues in North America and Asia. However, revenues were higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $31.0 billion for the quarter. Currently, the company retains a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Tesla Motors, Inc. (TSLA) is performing well. The company carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock.

 
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