Sales weakness could haunt Ford Ford Motor Co. is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings before the bell on Friday. These are rocky times for the auto maker F, -0.91% which has slashed 2014 profit estimates and faces sales weakness in key markets and uncertainties around new-vehicle launches. Here’s what investors can expect: Earnings: Ford is expected to report per-share earnings of 19 cents, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet. The company reported earnings of 45 cents a share in the same period a year ago. Revenue: Sales are pegged at $33.7 billion, from $33.9 billion a year ago, according to FactSet. Share price: Ford shares have fallen 8.4% so far this year through Wednesday, versus a gain of 4.3% for the S&P 500 index SPX, -0.73% through Tuesday’s close. Analysts surveyed by FactSet have an average rating of overweight on the stock, with an average price target of $17.86 — representing a 26% upside from current levels. Other issues: Investors will be keen to hear more from Ford about the launch of the redesigned 2015 F-150 light-duty pickup truck, for which markets and consumers have high expectations. The new truck will have an all-aluminum body, which has made the truck lighter and smoother to handle. That, however, opens the auto maker to mishaps in the vehicle’s rollout. The new F-150s are expected to hit dealerships at the end of the year. At an analyst event in late September, Ford officials, while sounding excited about the new truck, hinted at “reasonable uncertainty” to consider around the launch, analysts at Morgan Stanley wrote in a note. Ford has struck a more cautious note recently. At that late September event, the company dialed down market expectations, slashing its full-year profit outlook. Ford said its 2014 pretax profit will be around $6 billion, versus a previous goal of $7 billion to $8 billion, on weakening sales in Russia, losses in South America and Europe, and larger-than-expected expenses with warranties and recalls in North America. Analysts at Goldman Sachs have said the company’s 2015 guidance, however, was “conservative,” particularly for North America, and likely to improve. Ford guided 2015 pretax profits to between $8.5 billion and $9.5 billion, compared with Wall Street expectations of around $10 billion to $11 billion, and said it expects higher margins next year. By CLAUDIA ASSIS ENERGY REPORTER