CHICAGO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. automaker Ford Friday reported an annual net income of 2.7 billion U.S. dollars for 2009.

According to an company official, its focus on its North American business and core brands helped the company generate its first full-year profit since 2005.

Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally has predicted the company would earn money again this year, achieving sustainable profitability well ahead of schedule.

Mulally described 2009 as a pivotal year for Ford, the only U. S. automaker to get through a horrendous industry downturn without going bankrupt.