Ford Gets Its Iconic Logo Out Of Hock

theindychannel.com/CNNmoney ^ | May 23, 2012 | Peter Valdes-Dapena

[Abathar]

Ford Motor Co. got its logo out of hock Tuesday after Moody's upgraded the automaker's credit rating to investment grade.

The decision by Moody's to raise the credit rating means that Ford can now take back control of assets -- including the Blue Oval logo and trademarks like Mustang and F-150 -- that Ford put up as collateral in 2006 when it used virtually all its North American assets to open a $23.5 billion line of credit.

"The Ford Blue Oval is back where it belongs with the Ford family of 166,000 employees around the world," said Ford Motor Co. Chairman Bill Ford. "This is a great day for us and is the result of several years of hard work and progress by everyone associated with Ford," he said.

[Abathar]

I was kind of wondering why I was engraving tools made for Ford with FoMoCo instead of their logo, now I know.

[FroggyTheGremlim]

I love my Escape.

[WellyP]

Ford’s done it “right”! FUBO!

[Army Air Corps]

The decision by Moody's to raise the credit rating means that Ford can now take back control of assets -- including the Blue Oval logo and trademarks like Mustang and F-150 -- that Ford put up as collateral in 2006 when it used virtually all its North American assets to open a $23.5 billion line of credit.

And not a dime of bailout cash. Ford, to quote Dear Reader, actually had "skin in the game."

[IbJensen]

“There’s a Ford in your future!”

[ArrogantBustard]

If I understand this correctly, Ford Motor Company has a better "credit rating" than United States of America.

FUBO!

[reefdiver]

I wonder just who would of paid money to have the blue oval and what did they get with the privilege of controlling it?

[GizzyGirl]

We have had Ford vehicles for years, and have loved them all — but my new one, well... buying this one felt better than any other time! Glad to see they have their logo back, and heard today they have been opening 3rd shifts back up as well. Very cool!

[Abathar]

Only thing I can think of is getting royalty checks in from whoever wanted to use it for advertising or displays.

Aftermarket parts could have paid the price just to stick that logo on their Ford parts, like they were somehow connected with the genuine Motorcraft parts I guess.

[newzjunkey]

And not a dime of bailout cash. Ford... actually had "skin in the game."

Unlike (GM) Gov't Motors and Chrysler (now a Fiat co.). Ford did it the RIGHT way and will be better off for it long term.

Those of us who care about such things will be more inclined to look at Ford for future auto needs and disinclined to shop the bailouts.

[tayper]

I’m 66 and was a GM man all my life. Now there is two FORDS in my driveway! And I love!

[Charles Martel]

The local Ford dealer has a big box of these in the cashier's office:

They sell several each day at $10 each.

[FreedomPoster]

I don’t even drive a Ford and am tempted to buy one.

[Army Air Corps]

I WANT one!

[Charles Martel]

Check online, I’ll bet you can get one from some site like cafepress.

[hattend]

Good for Ford (from a Toyota man)