Ford didn't take a bailout for two reasons. First, they had borrowed a bunch of money before the GFC and so had capital that GM and Chrysler didn't. Second (a

Ford didn't take a bailout for two reasons. First, they had borrowed a bunch of money before the GFC and so had capital that GM and Chrysler didn't. Second (and more important), taking a bailout would have meant no dividends. Many Ford family members rely on dividends as primary income.