Toyota Motors (TM) has a problem. Accelerators on eight models of its cars can stick, causing the car to race forward. It's a dangerous problem, and many owners are afraid to drive their Camrys. This is the world's largest car company with one of the largest car recalls in history. Dealers are closed down for several weeks. New cars aren't being sold. And it's not only the drivers and dealers that are nervous. So are investors.

As a complete contrast, look at Ford (F). It announced a 25% increase in sales in January, selling 116,534 cars and trucks in one month, up from 93,506 same period last year. And most importantly, it was the new cars that lead the way, not SUV's or trucks. Cars were up 43% with SUVs ahead by 8%. Crossovers (the new station wagons, mini SUVs) increased by 20%, and trucks went ahead by 14%.

Now that Toyota Motor Company (TM) is embroiled in a sea of bad publicity and severe trust problems around the world, Ford Motor Company (F) has now announced that a "software upgrade" to owners of recent Ford Fusion Hybrid vehicle owners is needed to fix "strange feelings" in the brakes of those cars.

So, what is it with all these higher-tech vehicles having so many odd braking problems? Good question -- and now that the similar issues from Toyota and Ford are now public, how many other cars will need a reboot to fix problems? Although Toyota's CEO has now publicly apologized for that automaker's numerous issues, will Ford do the same? Is this the new order of the day: transparency and apology from automakers in lieu of recalls?

Ford (F) and Japanese partner Mazda are about to part ways for good. The two automakers -- who have shared manufacturing and design platforms for over two decades, now find it better to research, design and manufacture independently. This is bad for Mazda mostly -- and now there is word the two companies may pull out of their Chinese joint venture with partner Changuan Automobile.

Ford Motor Co. (F) has turned over a new leaf in 2010, starting this year with a heck of a lot more promise than the last. Last weekend, Ford nabbed the North American Car of the Year honors at the Detroit auto show for its Fusion hybrid -- and quickly followed that up with the Truck of the Year award for its European-styled Transit Connect van. All this on the heels of impressive December sales numbers.

Ford reported an increase of 32% in its sales for December compared to last year, while GM and Chrysler saw significant drops. What's more, auto sales in general are growing. The final figure of about 1 million vehicles sold in December marks the second-best month of 2009 after August, showing that the industry is looking up for 2010.

Now that GM and Chrysler are mired in turnarounds and still hemorrhaging sales, a select group of auto stocks will step into the void to gain market share and see huge growth in 2010.

December sales figures show the best month for automakers since the August boom caused by "Cash for Clunkers." This is extremely significant since it shows that pent-up demand is catching up with consumers and that the worst may be over for auto stocks that weathered the downturn successfully.

Ford (F) stared into the abyss that was 2009 and came away from the edge unscathed. Of the three major U.S. auto manufacturers, it stayed out of bankruptcy, never borrowed money from the government, and now it's gaining market share while others continue to lose it. So is the stock a buy?

Maybe. The famous and famously wealthy investor George Soros took a large position in the stock on November 17, about 7.3 million shares. Let's say he paid the high of the day that day of $9 a share. Now the stock sells a little over $11 as this is written. Mr. Soros made 22.22% on his investment so far. Not bad for less than two months. So he's made money. The stock has not traded above $11 since 2005 and is up 327% in the past year. So is there any room left on the upside?

Former AT&T (T) head Ed Whitacre may be shaping up the new General Motors to be like the old monopolist SBC (that is, Southwestern Bell Communications for those keeping track). SBC became AT&T of course, as the old Ma Bell companies started combining back together years ago after two decades apart.

Whitacre, a tough CEO with thousands of people in his pocket, has now tapped two former AT&T colleagues as lobbyists in Washington to chew the fat with politicians over the future of the former automaking behemoth.

Ford Motor (F) has been on all the right tracks lately. The only U.S.-based automaker to not take a government handout and who had been making cars and trucks customers actually want, Ford now rules the roost for domestic cars and trucks. Even its eco-friendly stance has been in high gear with sales of its hybrid vehicles and commitment to greener automotive technology.

That is, when it isn't in some macho face-off with the still-floundering General Motors. Americans love their large V8 engines, and with GM's Camaro selling very well (an unusual high point for the company), Ford will be responding by introducing larger and more powerful V8 engine into its Mustang line to meet Camaro's challenge. In other words, the same one-upsmanship challenge that exists for decades.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"Ford Motor Co. (F) is in the driver's seat when it comes to innovation, cutting costs, and building global demand," says Mark Skousen.

In his Forecasts & Strategies, which this month is celebrating its 30th anniversary, he cautions, "I've decided to recommend Ford as the best turnaround speculation for 2010. Bear in mind that this is highly speculative, and not recommended for conservative investors."