Buying a new car is getting harder just as Ford Motor's stock is having one of its best days of the year.
Ford (F) shares jumped 12.4% Thursday after the automaker delivered better-than-expected adjusted earnings and raised the bottom end of its annual profit outlook.
For shareholders, that was welcome news.
For someone walking into a dealership, Ford's results revealed a less comfortable trend.
From a previous forecast of around $2 billion, Ford now anticipates increased commodity expenses of nearly $2.5 billion this year. The cost of steel, copper, computer chips, gasoline, and transportation is all rising.
These pressures come at a time when Americans are already paying near-record prices for brand-new cars.
The average new vehicle sold for $50,562 in September, just $52 below the record set in December 2025. The typical monthly payment climbed to $776, according to Cox Automotive.
This friction is driving Ford's most recent rally.
Despite growing expenses, Ford is managing to safeguard its earnings. However, there could be another reason buyers are holding out for far less expensive automobiles.
Ford absorbs billions in costs while protecting profit
Ford reported third-quarter ...