"Broad-based chemical, agriculture, and 'science technology' company DuPont (NYSE: DD) is about as 'blue chip' as companies get," says Bill Martin.

In his BullMarket.com, the trading and investing expert explains, "One of the oldest firms in the country DuPont has shown it can continue to remake itself and grow." Here's his review.

"DuPont offers the potential of significant gains once the major weak links in the U.S. economy -- namely housing and the automotive sector -- rebound from their funks and eventually begin to grow.

"DuPont turned in a solid performance in the second quarter, posting a profit of $1.08 billion, or $1.18 per share, up from $972 million, or $1.04 per share, a year ago.

"The bottom line was enhanced by seven cents a share as the result of a lawsuit settlement and a lower tax rate that resulted from a one-time tax settlement. The company cited strength in is agricultural products business as well strong sales in emerging markets for the growth.

"Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) recently surprised Wall Street by posting its first profit in ages," notes Mark Skousen in The Turnaround Trader. Here's the advisor's bullish outlook on the auto maker.

"Ford announced a $100 million profit in the quarter, even though sales lagged General Motors and Toyota. I see Ford as a deeply undervalued company that finally is producing good quality cars, both here and abroad, and I don't think higher gasoline prices will have much effect on the turnaround.

"Ford must be seen as a global producer. And foreign sales are booming for Ford and GM. Moreover, now that Ford has decided to include Microsoft's Nuance-powered Sync voice control system in some of its 2008 models, it could help improve sales dramatically here in U.S. showrooms.

"If the profitable quarter continues, Ford now is selling for only 14 times next year's earnings. With revenues of close to $40 billion in the quarter, a smart business person certainly could cut the fat from that and turn a profit, and that is exactly what turnaround specialist CEO Alan Mulally is doing.

"Under his guidance, Ford saved $1.7 billion from cost reductions in the quarter and agreed to sell Jaguar and Land Rover. Wall Street likes what Mulally is doing, and so does billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian, who is buying its stock. Let's join him by buying Ford."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

There's also the bearish case: Ford (F): No short seller faith in turnaround

General Motors (NYSE: GM) said Thursday it will sell its mid-size truck unit, which built about 40,800 vehicles in 2006, to Navistar International. Financial terms were not disclosed.

GM's shares fell 20 cents to $26.46 in Thursday midday trading.

GM said the agreement constitutes another step in the company's plan to focus on designing, manufacturing and selling cars and light trucks around the world. GM added that the deal would leverage Navistar's strengths in commercial trucks and engines, enhance its economies of scale and lower costs.

Good decision

Analyst C. Leonard Bauer, formerly of Prudential, said he likes the sound of the Navistar deal.

"This will enable GM to allocate more resources on its core: cars and light trucks," Bauer said. "I like the sale to Navistar in that it gets GM out of a space that did not represent a big gainer. GM has seen the future, and for them it's not in manufacturing mid-size trucks."

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"Our favorite speculative play for 2008 is auto supplier Tenneco (NYSE: TEN)," says Bill Martin, editor of BullMarket.com. "The stock has been hammered along with the rest of the auto parts sector of late due to weak US auto sales and a slew of analyst downgrades.

"However, the company is taking market share, and is a solid play on tightening global emissions standards. On a macro level, there is considerable momentum in favor of emissions regulations right now, and this is allowing Tenneco to expand into additional markets, rapidly expand its technology road map, and win customers with the most innovative products available. In fact, we view Tenneco more as a technology company in a high-growth market than simply an auto parts supplier.

"The company faces a number of headwinds, including production cuts by the Big Three US automakers and rising steel prices. So far, though, the company has been able to 'outgrow' its weaker markets and mitigate input costs through aftermarket price increases to OE customers.

"Tenneco should also benefit from reducing the leverage on its balance sheet. We anticipate that growing cash flows and the increased size and diversity of its business will lead to a lower cost of capital and allow shareholders to benefit from reduced interest expense. Taken all together, we think Tenneco will be a solid performer in 2008 amidst low expectations."

"Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has disclosed that is has taken a 6.4% stake in CarMax (NYSE: KMX)," says value investor Nathan Slaughter.

CarMax, the used-car retailer, is a holding in Half-Priced Stocks, and the advisor sees Buffett's interest as an additional reason to stay bullish. Here is his review.

"Berkshire Hathaway is the insurance and investing conglomerate controlled by billionaire investor Warren Buffett, whose moves are widely followed by Wall Street.

"It's impossible to know for sure if Berkshire's stake is the result of Buffett's own buying or that of one of Berkshire's subsidiary companies, but either way it's a vote of confidence for CarMax. KMX has been sliding in recent months due to fears that a consumer slump would impact sales of used cars. But we continue to believe those concerns are overblown.

September 15, 2006, a day that will live in infamy. Well, that may be overstating the case. It was, however, the day both Ford Motor (NYSE: F) and DaimlerChrysler (NYSE: DCX) announced major cutbacks in production and various other cost-cutting moves. Since then, there have been many negative stories about the auto industry.

Before buying into the widespread despair, investors will want to read Sandra Ward's interview (subscription required) with widely respected auto industry analyst Chris Ceraso in the September 25, 2006 issue of Barron's. Yes, Ford announced a Q4 production cut of 21%. Chrysler forecasts a 16% production cut. This will still leave both companies with production in excess of demand through FY 2007. Ceraso, and other auto industry insiders, are particularly disappointed with the vagueness of Ford's third restructuring plan in five years. Ford's plan is much less detailed than GM's plan with few specific rubrics for measuring cost-cutting effectiveness. Ceraso forecasts a $5.5 billion loss through 2007, larger than Ford's estimate. He forecasts cost savings of $5 billion through 2007, smaller than Ford's estimate. Ceraso does not see any indication of Ford profitability until 2009.

There are several macroeconomic factors operating in Ford's favor right now, but negative changes in any one of them could further hamper Ford's turnaround efforts. Oil prices could climb again to uncomfortable levels for any number of reasons. The Fed could hold interest rates at present levels, which is better than any increase. In many real estate markets, housing prices are beginning to moderate, giving people more money to spend on non-mortgage related items.

While Ceraso remains cautiously positive, the fallout from Ford and Chrysler's announcements continues downstream. Virtually every automobile parts supplier's stock has taken a hit. Modine Manufacturing, Lear, and American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings are down. Visteon Corp. has revised its previous forecast downwards and says it will not meet its financial targets for the second half of 2006. Visteon has already began layoffs. Delphi Corporation, a huge auto parts supplier, has 1,400 more workers ready to accept buyout offers. BorgWarner (subscription required) has announced plans to cut staff by 13% or 850 jobs, and lower its per-share profit for 2006 from $4.35- $4.60 per share to $4.10 at the most.

The ripple effect has already spread to the raw materials suppliers. U.S. Steel Corporation, AK Steel Holding Corporation, Algoma Steel and Mid-West Materials may all end up with excess supply. Given China's continued export of steel, there may be a worldwide glut in 2007, forcing prices to unprofitable lows.