GM and Chrysler could spoil Ford's party

Shareholders in Ford (F) have had nagging doubts for some time about whether bankruptcies at GM (GM) and Chrysler could drag under enough auto parts suppliers to hurt the Ford production schedules. That issue is getting to be a significant one for Ford.

For a few months, Ford might not mind being without some key suppliers. It plans to close some plant so that dealers can sell-off bloated inventories, but when new model season comes around at the end of summer, having 2010 models in showrooms may be the key to Ford' recovery and the chance it has to dodge asking for federal aid.