Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) CEO Cautiously Optimistic on Growth

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) CEO Alan Mulally said on Monday that his company is “cautiously optimistic” that it will continue to grow as the U.S. economy slowly recovers.

“This is a slower recovery from the previous recessions,” Mulally said in an interview on The Today Show. He added, “We have sized ourselves to the current demand and we’re cautiously optimistic that we’re going to continue to grow here.”

When asked if he thought whether or not the U.S. economy would suffer a double-dip recession, he commented, “We do not. I think with the monetary and the fiscal policy, and everybody’s attention on growing the economy … I think that we’re going to have good, steady growth here.”

Mulally said that Ford, which recently launched its new Fiesta sub-compact and unveiled a new version of its Explorer SUV on Monday, said that he hopes that Ford can create many more jobs as the economy improves.

“It will clearly be determined by how fast the economy comes back and the industry,” he said. “With the position that we are in today, we are going to be able to offer some great jobs going forward.”

Mulally, age 64, said that he plans to stay as Ford’s CEO for “several more years.” After the host pressed him for a more specific response, Mulally said that he expects to stay in his job for at least another three years.

Shares of Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) traded up 2.20% on Monday hitting $13.00 during mid-day trading.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is a producer of cars and trucks. Ford and its subsidiaries also engage in other businesses, including financing vehicles. It operates under two segments: Automotive and Financial Services. The Automotive segment includes the operations of Ford North America, Ford South America, Ford Europe, Ford Asia Pacific Africa and Volvo. The Financial services include the operations of Ford Motor Credit Company and Other Financial Services.