Ford profit

The Ford Motor Company, the only one of the Big Three automakers to forgo a U.S. government bailout, said it made about $1 billion in the third quarter of the year.

Ford posted results Monday, stating it earned $997 million from July through September, the first time since 2005 it made money in North America. The company credited its ability to address consumer demands regarding its products and cost cutting for the financial turnaround.

The good bottom-line news turns out to be a two-edged sword for Ford executives. They are talking with United Auto Workers about concessions to pull wages more in line with other carmakers. But the UAW points to the healthy quarterly report as a sign that such a give-back isn't necessary.