How does Ford's cost control compare year-over-year?

Ford's cost control measures have shown varying results year-over-year. Here's a detailed analysis:

1. **Gross Margin Decline**: Ford's Gross Margin decreased by 1.35% year-over-year, from 14.36% to 14.01%. This indicates a challenge in controlling cost of goods sold, potentially due to factors like commodity prices, supply chain disruptions, or production inefficiencies.
2. **Operating Margin Decrease**: The Operating Margin fell by 5.95% year-over-year, from 2.22% to 3.19%. This suggests difficulties in managing operating expenses, which could be related to factors such as labor costs, utilities, or facility expenses.
3. **Net Margin Increase**: Contrarily, Ford's Net Margin improved significantly year-over-year, growing by 29.67%, from 3.19% to 4.14%. This indicates effective control over net profit margin, possibly due to strategic decisions regarding pricing, marketing, or other income-related factors.
4. **Strategic Context**: Considering Ford's strategic goals, the company aims to become the world's lowest-cost automaker with the fastest new-product turnaround. This suggests that while current year-over-year comparisons show challenges in cost control, Ford is actively working on long-term strategies to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.

In conclusion, while Ford has seen improvements in net margin, the company faces challenges in controlling gross and operating margins year-over-year. However, the company's strategic initiatives offer hope for future improvements in cost control.