New York - US automotive concern Ford Motor Company reported Thursday that it lost 8.7 billion dollars in the second quarter of 2008 amid writedowns in the value of its assets.

The Dearborn, Michigan-based group said the figure compared with a net profit of 750 million dollars in the second quarter of 2007.

The loss reflected some 8 billion dollars' worth of writeoffs from the decline in the value of its assets in North America and of the lease portfolio of the Ford Motor Credit Company, a statement said.

The second-biggest US car concern said it now aims to carry out further massive cost-cutting measures and to concentrate more on smaller, more fuel-efficient cars.

The latest red-ink figures come shortly after company chairman Alan Mulally said Ford was giving up its hope of returning to the black again next year. (dpa)