Ford Motor Co.’s (F.N) plummeting share price has sent its dividend yield to the highest in 17 years, an indication of just how rich a disbursement the company is paying during troubled times.

The automaker’s stock fell to US$9.20 on Tuesday, the lowest close since August 2012. That means Ford’s 15 cents U.S. a share quarterly dividend currently has an annualized yield of 7.93 per cent, a level last seen in September 2001.

Wall Street has warned that Ford may have to pare back its rich dividend -- the most generous among its automotive peers -- as earnings evaporate overseas and the company initiates a restructuring that it’s said may cost US$11 billion and take as much as five years. The company has insisted it’ll maintain the payout.

Representatives for Ford didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.