** Shares of Ford Motors F.N hit their highest in more than two months, last up 8.6%

** Stock on track for its best day since October, if gains hold

** Morgan Stanley says automaker's energy business and its partnership with Chinese battery giant CATL 300750.SZ is an "underappreciated" competitive advantage

** Ford is well placed to supply battery storage systems in the U.S. and can win deals with utilities, companies and data centers, brokerage says

** Estimates energy unit can generate $500 million to $600 million of earnings before interest and taxes, and turn profitable by 2028

** Shares down about 1% YTD