(April 24, 2013) Ford's profits rose to $1.6 billion during the first quarter, led by the highest profit in North America since at least 2000. Profits rose for the 15th consecutive quarter, up 15.4 percent to 41 cents per share, compared to last year's first quarter, when the company posted a $1.4 billion profit, or 39 cents per share.

This year's first-quarter earnings per share also topped first-call analyst expectations of 37 cents per share. Revenue jumped approximately 10 percent to $35.8 billion.

"Our strong first-quarter results provide further proof that our One Ford plan continues to deliver," Ford CEO Alan Mulally said Wednesday in a statement, referring to the company's global consolidation and new products plan.

Ford made all but $6 million in North America, which posted its best quarterly pre-tax profit since at least 2000, when the company began reporting North America as its own business unit. The region's profits topped $2.4 billion, led by strong sales of profitable pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, and increasing market share, which through March was up 0.7 percentage points to 16.2 percent.

''It's a very good start to the year for us,'' CFO Bob Shanks told journalists today. Ford is seeking its fifth straight year of profit after losing $30.1 billion from 2006 through 2008.

Ford earnings would have been even higher if not for the ongoing slowdown in recession-wracked Europe. Ford's pretax operating loss in Europe widened sharply to $462 million from $149 million in the first quarter of 2012.

Sources: Ford Motor Company, The Detroit News, Automotive News