These automakers still have long-term appeal

Article Excerpt

The global automotive industry is dealing with several long-term trends. Those include slowing sales as millennials opt for ride-sharing services instead of buying new cars, and rising tariffs that make cars more expensive. We feel established and profitable car companies, such as the three we analyze below, are in a strong position to respond to those challenges. All three are also investing in new technologies, such as self-driving cars and electric vehicles, that should spur their long-term growth. FORD MOTOR CO. $9.00 (New York symbol F; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 3.9 billion; Market cap: $35.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.2; Dividend yield: 6.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; www.ford.com) holds 14.3% of the U.S. auto market, which means it’s only second to General Motors (with roughly 15.8% of U.S. sales). The company aims to spur its long-term growth with key initiatives, including refreshing roughly 75% of its car models over the next two years. It will also spend more on new trucks…