Ford reported a big jump in third-quarter profits Wednesday, pointing to strong sales in North America where large vehicles commanded generous prices amid tight inventories. Shares of the automaker jumped in after-hours trading following report that profits surged to $2.4 billion, more than five times the earnings in the year-ago period. Revenues rose one percent to $37.5 billion. Ford scored higher US sales in the quarter for its popular F-Series pickup truck and the smaller pickup model the Ranger, as well as for the revamped Explorer sport-utility vehicle. Stronger-than-expected vehicle demand and good pricing, with inventories limited following coronavirus shutdowns that pinched production help boost results, the company said. Pre-tax profit margins for North America were by far Ford's strongest globally at 12.5 percent, an improvement over the year-ago period. Newly-installed Chief Executive Jim Farley, who took the top job on October 1, said the company was on a good track after a difficult run that included manufacturing stumbles and questions over strategy. "We haven't suddenly fixed the issues in our automotive business, but we have a clear turnaround plan to get that done," he said. Ford shares rose 2.8 percent to $7.70 in after-hours trading. jmb/hs