DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Credit explained why its pre-tax
profit of $1.7 billion in 2012 dropped from $2.4 billion a year earlier.

The company said when releasing its fourth-quarter and
full-year financial report on Tuesday that the decrease in pre-tax earnings stemmed
from fewer lease terminations, which resulted in fewer vehicles sold at a gain,
and lower financing margin as higher yielding assets originated in prior years
run off.

As a result, Ford Credit's net income was $1.2 billion in
2012, compared with $1.8 billion in the previous year.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, Ford Credit's pre-tax profit
was $414 million, a decrease of $92 million from a year earlier. Executives
indicated lower credit loss reserve reductions and lower financing margin
triggered the drop.

The company reported fourth quarter net income of $268
million, a decrease of $343 million from a year earlier. This time, the drop
came because of the non-recurrence of a one-time, non-cash item related to Ford
Credit's net deferred tax liability, according to officials.

Despite the year-over-year decreases, Ford Credit chairman
and chief executive officer Bernard Silverstone said, "Our 2012 results were
solid, and we expect another strong performance in 2013.

"We will remain focused on providing unparalleled support
and service for Ford, our dealers and our customers," Silverstone continued.

As of Dec. 31, Ford Credit's net receivables totaled $90
billion, compared with $83 billion at the end of 2011. Managed receivables came
in at $91 billion on Dec. 31, up from $85 billion on the same date a year
earlier.

Elsewhere, the company indicated its managed leverage finished
the year at 8.3:1, unchanged from the close of 2011.

Also of note, Ford Credit's full-year charge-offs came in at
$136 million, down $65 million from 2011 as its fourth-quarter charge-offs settled
at $49 million, down $3 million from the prior year

Executives also mentioned the company's full-year
loss-to-receivables ratio was 0.16 percent as their year-end credit loss
reserve stood at $408 million or 0.44 percent of receivables.

Ford Credit's repossession rate also improved in 2012,
dropping to 1.35 percent. The company repossessed 32,000 units about a third of
its recent high of 94,000 units in 2009 when Ford Credit's repossession rate
stood at 3.01 percent.

Ford Credit distributed $600 million to its parent automaker
in 2012.

For 2013, Ford Credit projects:

—Full-year pre-tax profit about equal to 2012.
—Managed receivables at year end in the range of $95 billion to $105 billion.
—Managed leverage to continue in the range of 8:1 to 9:1.
—Planned distributions of about $200 million.

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