After an ambition interal program of lowering costs and enlarging margins on its vehicles, the Ford Motor Co. reported improved fourth-quarter loss figures as compared to a year ago.

The company, which plans to offer buyouts to significant numbers of its union workers, lost about $1.30 a share for a net loss of $2.75 billion. These figures compare favorably with those from the same period in 2006 when the company was down $2.98 a share for a total loss of $5.63 billion.

At the same time, Ford is prepared to achieve an additional 13,000 job cuts, a move that will effect approximately 11,000 hourly employees and 2,000 with salaried positions. These cuts will add to the 44,000 jobs the company has already trimmed away since 2006.

Alan Mulally, Ford CEO, indicated earlier in the week that the company needs an additional $17 billion for its restructuring program in addition to the $23 billion the company has already secured through financing.

When the company reported improved figures in November 2007 for the third quarter Mulally said, "We remain committed to executing the four priorities of our plan -- restructuring the business to operate profitably, accelerating the development of new products that our customer want and value, funding our plan and improving our balance sheet, and working even more effectively together as one Ford team leveraging our global assets."

These moves, plus a contract negotiated with the United Auto Workers in November 2007 that allowed the company to divest itself of some of its commitments for retiree and employee health benefits are all factors in Ford's slow but steady climb out of its near disastrous position of recent years.