(Reuters) -Ford reported a lower third-quarter profit on Monday, hurt by ongoing challenges in the auto market, sending its shares down about 3% in trading after the bell.

The company reported third-quarter net income of $900 million, or 22 cents per share, compared with $1.2 billion, or 30 cents per share, a year earlier.

Top U.S. automakers reported weaker third-quarter sales earlier this month, hurt by fewer selling days and weaker consumer spending amid inflationary challenges and higher interest rates.

(Reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)