Ford to address shareholders after Kerkorian investment

Kerkorian also may be interested in advocating for an alignment with Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA, which he urged to General Motors leaders, or in working with Ford family members, who control a large block of the company's voting power.

"I would expect them to be more interested in seeing if there's an equity position available from one of the Ford family members who might be disgruntled with how things have gone the past few years," said auto industry analyst Pete Hastings with Morgan Keegan & Co.

During the annual meeting, shareholders are expected to elect 13 members of the board of directors and vote on several proposals opposed by the company, including a measure to give one vote to each share of outstanding stock in an attempt to dilute the Ford family's control. The proposal is being offered by John Chevedden, a Redondo Beach, Calif., shareholder activist, who has said investors should have a proportionate vote to family shareholders.

Descendants of Henry Ford, who make up 40 percent of the combined voting power of all outstanding family stock, are allowed 16 votes each while other shares get one vote apiece. Ford family members collectively own 70.9 million shares of so-called "Class B" Ford stock. Last year, 27.4 percent of shareholders supported a similar measure to undo the family's voting power.

Other proposals under consideration would:

-Prevent new stock options from being awarded to senior executives or renew current stock options, or require a mandatory review of executive compensation packages.

-Eliminate any restrictions on shareholders' right to call a special meeting.

-Provide a report on the company's procedures for making political contributions and expenditures.

-Adopt principles for comprehensive health care reform.

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