Ford reaping solid

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - Four years ago, Ford mortgaged everything down to the blue oval logo to save itself. Now, even as Americans remain skittish about the economy, it's reaping big rewards and stealing business from stumbling rivals.

Ford said Friday that it made $2.6 billion from April through June, its fifth straight quarterly profit. The company, which reported record losses in 2008, now predicts it will end 2011 with more cash than debt.

Ford now sells the most popular pickup truck in the U.S., the F-Series, and the most popular crossover SUV, the Escape.

"Our performance this year gives us great confidence going forward," he said.

In the past year, Ford has gained a bigger share of the American market, the equivalent of about 154,000 cars and trucks. Rivals Toyota, General Motors and Chrysler have all lost ground.

Toyota stumbled this year because of safety-related recalls. GM and Chrysler's precarious financial positions had some people shying away from their cars.

Mulally, a tough manager masked by a boyish face and gee-whiz demeanor, joined Ford in October 2006, a year into a turnaround plan that called for closing plants, cutting jobs and dropping some of its models.