Best Buy: General Motors, Ford, or Toyota?

Not so long ago, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) was an investor darling. Under now-retired CEO Alan Mulally, Ford avoided a government bailout during the economic crisis and emerged with a much-improved product line. Strong sales and profits followed, and shareholders were duly rewarded.

But in the past couple of years, Ford has fallen out of favor, on perceptions that it has fallen behind new and old rivals in developing the new technologies that threaten to disrupt the traditional auto business. But as we'll see, those perceptions might not be entirely valid.

General Motors (NYSE: GM) is following a different path. Completely revamped following its 2009 bankruptcy, GM under CEO Mary Barra isn't seen as behind at all: In fact, it has recently become clear that GM is among the leaders in developing electric vehicles and self-driving systems.

Source: Fool.com