
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 20, 1995                   TAG: 9504210055
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: DEARBORN, MICH.                                LENGTH: Short

FORD REPORTS 71% GROWTH IN PROFITS

Ford Motor Co. reported Wednesday that its first-quarter profits grew 71 percent, and a top finance official predicted the U.S. auto industry's prosperity would last at least until 1998.

``Inflation's low at 3 percent. Consumer income is very good right now. Consumer confidence is good,'' Ford vice president for finance David McCammon said. ``We still believe that there are three or four more good years left in this U.S. economic recovery.''

Ford retail sales were higher than last year's and its profit totaled $1.55 billion, or $1.44 per share, with $904 million, or 83 cents a share, a year ago.

Chrysler reported last week that it earned $592 million in the quarter, down 37 percent from a year earlier.

General Motors reports its earnings today.

- Associated Press

by CNB