Deutsche Bank's Ford Downgrade: Are There More Attractive Auto Stocks For Analysts?

Ford Motor Company F was downgraded from a Buy to a Hold rating by analysts at Deutsche Bank on Monday. The firm set a –cautious- price target of $16, because "the prospective regulatory cost burdens facing U.S. Automakers are unprecedented," and thus “U.S. vehicle affordability is reaching an inflection point."

On November 11, Citigroup reiterated its Buy rating for Ford Motor Company, setting a price target of $17. However, the upside potential implied is limited. So, if Ford is not looking that good to analysts, which automakers are?

Tesla Motors, Inc. TSLA

Tesla is one of Wall Street analysts’ favorite automakers stocks. Over the past couple of months, both MLV & Co and Ascendiant Capital initiated coverage on the electric cars company with Buy ratings, and price targets of $300 and $320, respectively.

Honda Motor Company, Ltd. HMC

Honda has also felt the bullishness of one major research firm; on early-October, Jefferies reiterated its Buy rating, fixing a price target of $39.18. This implies a substantial upside potential from current stock prices.

More recently nonetheless, on December 5, Credit Suisse downgraded the stock from Outperform to Neutral.

Toyota Motor Corp Ltd Ord TM

Japanese Toyota is also quite liked by analysts. On early-October, both Jefferies and Bank of America gave it Buy ratings. Furthermore, Jefferies set a price target of $144.82, which means that there is plenty of upside left from the current price point.