Online Public Relations Thoughts

Ford Motor is in a semi-transparent mode.  It is breaking out the P&L and balance sheet of its vehicle manufacturing by electric, gas-powered and commercial lines, but at the same time it is taking away regional numbers that analysts use to compare auto manufacturers globally.  Investors are "grumpy."  They will have to do extra work to produce estimates of vehicle sales geographically.  One wonders why a company would do that.  Ford offers no apologies.  It simply states the move was necessary.  From a communications perspective, Ford's decision will allow analysts to see clearly how well the company is doing with sales of EVs.  That might salve investors' discontent -- for awhile, anyway.  But, eventually, it would serve the company better if it would give both breakouts.