NEW YORK -- A Buckingham Research Group analyst upgraded shares of Ford Motor Co. Thursday, stating that the company's increased sales levels in North America during the third quarter would help the automaker achieve positive free-cash flow, according to The Associated Press.

Shares of Ford fell 2 cents to $7.59 in morning trading.

Buckingham equity analyst Joseph Amaturo upgraded Ford to "Strong Buy" from "Accumulate," citing Ford's third-quarter production increase and reduced incentive spending.

Ford has raised production 18 percent in the current quarter from a year earlier. With two of its vehicles - the Focus and Escape - among the most popular buys under the government's Cash for Clunkers program, Amaturo said fewer company incentives would be needed to lift Ford's third-quarter earnings results in North America.