Ford

Automakers reported their sales Tuesday. Toyota and Chrysler saw big U.S. sales gains in April, but they came at the expense of General Motors and Ford.

For investors who open a brokerage account and buy stocks, there's more to be had than just the promise of better investment returns. Some of America's best-known firms also offer perks to their shareholders -- and not just big-money shareholders, either.

U.S. auto sales are off to a strong start this year, continuing the brisk pace from late 2011. Chrysler had its best January in four years while Ford got a boost from small cars and SUVs. Volkswagen, which wants to aggressively expand in the U.S., reported much higher sales. One sour note was GM, where sales fell.

Despite its troubles in recent years, Toyota retained its crown in Consumer Reports' annual survey of auto-brand perception, but the survey also showed that Ford is rapidly closing the gap, and other brands aren't far behind.

The market for used cars is white-hot, and lists of the best models tend to favor brands like Toyota, Lexus, and Honda. But there are better bets for those who don't want to pay a premium for a reliable ride -- if they're willing to buy American: Increased quality plus compromised reputation equals value.

Ford's dramatic turnaround has captured the attention of investors and car buyers alike. The only major American automaker to ride out the crisis without government assistance, Ford has returned to solid profitability with a slew of impressive new products. Investors take note.

Ford Motor Co. (F) says its second-quarter profit dropped slightly as its costs rose and it continued to pay off debt. The company earned $2.4 billion, or 59 cents per share, down 8 percent from $2.6 billion, or 61 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2010. It was Ford's ninth straight...

Keeping track of the latest product and food recalls can be a challenge for any consumer, so Consumer Ally has collected them all in one place for you to check each week. Here is this week's roundup: Homelite Consumer Products Inc. recalled 41,200 pressure washer attachments sold exclusively...

It's been an exciting week on Wall Street. Not only did investors get a taste of how earnings are stacking up for companies like Apple and Chipotle, Zillow's stock really took off during its first day of trading. We asked Chris Hill from The Motley Fool what the numbers really mean.

Ford Motor Co. recalled 26,715 Ranger pickup trucks built this year at the Twin Cities Assembly Plant because the tail lights might not turn on, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The problem involves a plastic slider on a multifunction switch that can warp, making it...