Ford Motor Co. sold $880 million of bonds backed by dealer payments, according to a person familiar with the offering. The transaction, executed through Ford(TM)s finance unit, was increased from $586 million, said the person, who declined to be identified because results of the sale aren(TM)t public. Ford Motor Co. sold $880 million of bonds backed by dealer payments, according to a person familiar with the offering.

The transaction, executed through Ford(TM)s finance unit, was increased from $586 million, said the person, who declined to be identified because results of the sale aren(TM)t public. [Read the full article]

By Nick Kapur | More Articles February 15, 2011 | Comments (2) Keep track of the stocks that matter to you. Help yourself with the Fool's FREE and easy new watchlist service today. Eighteen months ago, iconic American motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) announced plans to enter the 1 billion-strong Indian consumer market. Three months ago, the company announced that it would build just its second-ever international assembly plant in the country. Today, the company has effectively placed a huge bet on India, a country that is truly in love with the motorcycle. Unfortunately, as I spend more and more time here in India, I realize that I cannot see this company thriving in its markets. Worse, I fear that Fools could feel the painful brunt of Harley's overly ambitious expectations. The Hog ethosWhen I think Harley-Davidson, I think open road, fresh air, and a cool breeze tearing through the nostrils of an over-the-hill, balding baby boomer. [Read the full article]

By Hope Nelson-Pope | More Articles February 15, 2011 | Comments (12) Once a project or cause makes its way into the pages of a president's annual address to the nation, it usually becomes kind of a big deal. So with President Obama teeing up a renewed emphasis on electric and hybrid cars in last month's State of the Union speech, it was no surprise that each of the major automakers came strongly out of the gate with fuel-efficient models at this year's Washington Auto Show, held in Washington, D.C., from Jan. 28 to Feb. 6. Within minutes after the show's opening on Public Policy Day, head honchos from General Motors (NYSE: GM), Ford (NYSE: F), Toyota (NYSE: TM), and even BMW (OTC: BAMXF.PK) had begun touting their latest and greatest ideas. When you're walking around the showroom floor, eyeing all of the shiny, perfectly coiffed new cars, trucks, and SUVs " not to mention the Advanced Technology SuperHighway " it's easy to buy in. [Read the full article]

Electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc. said Tuesday its fourth-quarter net loss doubled to $51.4 million from a year earlier as research and development costs for its new sedan ate into much higher revenue.Tesla said it lost $24.2 million a year earlier. Its loss per share of 54 cents compares with a loss of $3.43 per share a year ago, when it had less than one-tenth as many shares outstanding.Tesla currently makes just one car, the $101,500 Roadster sports car. The Palo Alto-based company delivered its 1,500th Roadster during the fourth quarter.Tesla's research and development costs jumped to $37.6 million for the quarter, from $8 million a year earlier, as it completed the first drivable Model S test vehicle. The Model S, a lower-priced alternative to the Roadster, is scheduled to go on sale in the middle of next year. [Read the full article]