The company's financing unit is also growing, with profits of $182 million last year.

Ford is expected to return to profitability this year, but on the back of its financing unit.

The Chrysler Corporation's financing unit makes no differentiation in loan fees offered to customers.

Another problem for the financing units is the rising number of bankruptcies and defaults.

The company is the financing unit of General Electric Co.

G.E. has a large and very profitable financing unit.

Ford's financing unit was badly overextended because of aggressive lending to customers with shaky credit.

The company cited higher truck sales, higher profit margins and strong earnings at its financing unit.

The financing units of car companies also make loans for real estate, construction and consumer purchases.

Adding in profits from sales abroad and its financing unit, Ford made $2 billion last year.