The loss for the final quarter alone was $5.8 billion. Ford's 2006 loss still falls short of the $23.5 billion lost by GM in 1992. Morgan Stanley analysts noted that the US figure represents a loss of $4,700 on every vehicle sold. Ford is predicted to fall to third, or even to the fourth position od suppliers to the US car market during 2007 behind GM, Toyota and Chrysler.

Ford is embarking on an overhaul which they call the "Way Forward" but observers are not reporting much in the way of progress. Thousands of jobs are set to go and car plants will be closing.

Despite these figures, the car company has seen its share price rise, a reflection of falling gas prices which have hit them badly in recent times. Still, the 2006 figures mean a loss equivalent to $6.79 a share.

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