Would Ford (F) Sell Volvo?

Ford (F) has Jaguar and Rover on the block, but a late story from Reuters says that the big US car company may consider selling Volvo as well.

Ford may not get much money for any of the brands. A report in early July said that Ford hoped to get $6 billion for Jag and Rover. But, analysts who had seen the numbers pegged the figure at closer to $2 billion. Industry experts have said the DaimlerChrysler (DCX) will actually be out of pocket over time as it sells its Chrysler unit to hedge fund Cerberus. Car company do not seem to fetch much these days.

A better way to look at selling some of Ford’s overseas operations is not what they will do for the balance sheet, but the benefit it might have to focusing Ford management. With its domestic car business under siege, it could use all able hands.

Douglas A. McIntyre