Ford, GM see sales rise in Europe

While the Ford and GM have seen market share and profits deteriorate in the North American market, they're doing better in the global market. Ford of Europe has seen its second year of profit in sales of Ford products (the Focus, etc.) at $70 million. (Ford's Premier Automotive Group, is a different matter, especially Jaguar.)

General Motors, on the other hand, while still in the red in Europe, is improving, with losses half of 2004 figures.

"It's pretty obvious we are on a positive track," says Carl-Peter Forster, who has just succeeded Frederick Henderson as Chairman of GM Europe. "When exactly we will cross the line, I can't tell you. But it's obvious that after many years of losses this is not in the too-distant future."