Ford Motor Credit Company reported a pre-tax profit of $1.9 billion in 2014, its highest since 2011, up from $1.8 billion a year earlier. The improvement is more than explained by higher volume, partially offset by unfavorable lease residual performance in North America and lower financing margin. Ford Credit’s net income was $1.7 billion in 2014, compared with $1.5 billion in the previous year. The increase in net income reflects favorable tax items recorded during the year.