Ford Motor Company

The Ford Motor Company (FMC; often known as Ford) is an American multinational automaker, founded on June 16, 1903 by Henry Ford. Ford, which owns the luxury vehicle manufacturer Lincoln, was the second-largest automaker, after General Motors, 1931 to 2004. Formerly, Ford also owned the following brands:

Ford Motor Company
Public
Traded as
IndustryAutomotive
FoundedJune 16, 1903 (1903-06-16) (121 years ago)[1]
FounderHenry Ford
Headquarters,
U.S.
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Products
Production output
Decrease 6.0 million vehicles (2018)[2]
Services
RevenueIncrease US$160.33 billion (2018)[2]
Decrease US$3.27 billion (2018)[2]
Decrease US$3.67 billion (2018)[2]
Total assetsDecrease US$256.54 billion (2018)[2]
Total equityDecrease US$35.93 billion (2018)[2]
Owners
Number of employees
199,000 (December 2018)[2]
Divisions
Subsidiaries
Websiteford.com

History

In 1896, Henry Ford had an idea to make a Quadricycle, the first "horseless carriage" he built. This four-wheeled vehicle was very different from cars we drive now. It was very different even from vehicles Ford produced just a few years later. Even so, this was the start of Ford's career as a businessman. Until the Quadricycle, Ford's work had been experimental and theoretical. For example, in the 1890s, Ford built a gas engine on his kitchen table — just an engine with nothing to power. Enough people liked the Quadricycle, and much could be done with the it, so it led to the beginning of Ford's business.

Ford Motor Company started on June 16, 1903, when Henry Ford and 11 business helpers signed papers to form the company. Their first Ford production car, the Model A, was sold in Detroit, Michigan a few months later. (This Model A should not be confused with their more famous Model A, which came out in 1927). With $280,000 (around 165 000 pounds), the early businessmen made what was to become one of the world's largest companies. Few companies changed the history and development of industry and society in the 20th century as much as Ford Motor Company.

Mass production on the line

Ford Motor Company's most important contribution to automotive manufacturing was the (moving) assembly line. First implemented at the Highland Park plant (in Michigan, US) in 1913, this new method let each workers to stay in one place, to do the same job repeatedly as the vehicles went by on the assembly line. The line proved to be very efficient; it helped the company make more cars, and make them cheaper than other car companies could do at the time. Before using the assembly line, Ford made 12,000 Model T's in a year. With the assembly line, Ford could make 12,000 Model T's in just two days. Ford had discovered how to make more cars that more people could afford to buy. He even paid his workers higher salaries than other car companies and still made money.

Early growth

Henry Ford insisted that the company's future lay in the production of affordable cars for a mass market. In 1903, the company began using the first 19 letters of the alphabet to name new cars. In 1908, the Model T was born, and it was sold for 19 years. By selling 15 million Model T's, Ford Motor Company became a giant company which spanned the globe. They built plants in the Soviet Union, Japan and other places. Ford started making farm tractors, trucks and school buses. In 1925, Ford Motor Company bought the Lincoln Motor Company. It uses that name to build luxury cars. In the 1930s, the name "Mercury" was given to its mid-priced cars. Ford Motor Company was growing.

Former production vehicles

1900–1929

Name Orig. Produced Image
Cars
Model A   USA 1903-1904  
Model B   USA 1904–1906  
Model C   USA 1904–1905  
Model F   USA 1905–1906  
Model K   USA 1906–1908  
Model N / R / S   USA 1906–1909 100px
Model T   USA 1908–1927  
Model A (1927)   USA 1927–1931  
Trucks
Model TT   USA 1925–1927  
Model AA   USA 1927–1931  

1930–1939

Name Orig. Produced Image
Cars
Model B / BB /
18 / 40
  USA 1932–1934  
Model Y   UK 1932–1937  
Köln   GER 1932–1935  
Rheinland   GER 1933–1936 100px
Model 48   USA 1935–1936  
Model C Ten   UK 1935–1937  
Eifel   GER 1935–1939  
Ford CX   UK 1935–1937, UK  
1937   USA 1937–1940  
7W   UK 1937–1938, UK  
7Y   UK 1938–1939, UK  
Prefect   UK 1938–1961  
Anglia   UK 1939–1967  
Taunus   GER 1939–1994  
Trucks
Fordson E83W   UK 1938–1957  

1940–1949

Name Orig. Produced Image
Cars
1941   USA 1941–1942
1946–1948
 
Vedette   FRA 1948–1954  
Pilot   UK 1947–1951  
1949   USA 1949–1951  
Custom[n3 1]   USA 1949–1981  
Notes
  1. Used periodically between 1949 and 1981.

1950–1959

Name Orig. Produced Image
Cars
1952   USA 1952–1954  
1955   USA 1955–1956  
1957   USA 1957–1959  
Consul   UK 1951–1962
1972–1975
 
Country Sedan   USA 1952–1974  
Country Squire   USA 1950–1991  
Courier   USA 1952–2013  
Crestline[n4 1]   USA 1950–1951  
Del Rio   USA 1957–1958  
Escort (100E)   UK 1955–1961  
Fairlane   USA 1955–1970  
Galaxie   USA 1959–1974[n4 2]  
Mainline   USA 1952–1956  
Parklane   USA 1956  
Popular   UK 1953–1962  
Ranchero   USA 1957–1979  
Squire   UK 1955–1959  
Thunderbird   USA 1955–1997
2002–2005
 
Versailles   FRA 1954–1957  
Zephyr   UK 1950–1971  
Trucks
C Series[n4 3]   USA 1957–1990  
FK   GER 1951–1961  
Notes
  1. (1952–1954 as independent model; 1950–1951 as Custom submodel).
  2. Production years in North America; 1964-1968, Australia; 1967-1983, Brazil.
  3. Medium-duty COE truck.

1960–1969

Name Orig. Produced Image
Cars
1960   USA 1960–1964  
Falcon   USA 1960–1970  
Falcon   AUS 1960–2016  
E-Series /
Econoline
  USA 1961–2014  
Cortina   UK 1962–1982  
Fairlane
Thunderbolt
[n5 1]
  USA 1964  
GT40   USA 1964–1969  
Corsair [n5 2]   UK 1964–1970  
LTD   USA 1965–1986  
Fairmont   AUS 1965-2008  
P7   GER 1967-1972  
Fairlane   AUS 1967–2007  
Torino   USA 1968–1976  
Capri (coupe)[n5 3]   EU 1968–1986  
Corcel Template:Country data BR 1968–1986  
Escort [n5 4]   EU 1968–2000  
Trucks
N-Series   USA 1962–1969  
D-Series   UK 1965-1981  
W-Series   USA 1966–1977  
Notes
  1. Limited production car.
  2. Produced 1989–1992 in Australia.
  3. There was another "Ford Capri" in Australia, launched in 1989.
  4. This was the version produced and marketed in Latin America.

1970–1979

Name Orig. Produced Image
Cars
Maverick   USA 1970–1979  
Pinto   USA 1971–1980  
P100[n6 1]   ZAF 1971–1993  
Granada   GER 1972–1994  
Landau   BRA 1971–1983  
Landau   AUS 1973–1976  
Elite[n6 2]   USA 1974–1976  
Granada   USA 1975–1982  
Fiesta   EU 1976–2023  
Fairmont   USA 1978–1983  
Durango   USA 1979–1982  
Vans
Econovan /
Spectron
[n6 3]
  JPN 1977–1999  
Trucks
L-Series   USA 1970–1998  
Transcontinental   EU 1975-1984  
CL-Series   USA 1978-1991  
Notes
  1. Ford Cortina pickup. Produced first in South Africa, then in Portugal.
  2. Initially, Elite a luxury version of the Gran Torino model, then an own model.
  3. A rebadged Mazda Bongo.

1980–1989

Name Orig. Produced Image
Cars
Capri   AUS 1989–1994  
Del Rey   BRA 1981–1991  
Escort   USA 1981–2003 100px
EXP   USA 1982–1988 File:1982 Ford EXP front.jpg
Festiva[n7 1]   JPN 1988–1992  
Laser[n7 2]   JPN 1980–2003  
LTD Crown Victoria   USA 1980–1991  
Orion   EU 1983–1993  
Probe   USA 1989–1997  
RS200   EU 1984–1986  
Scorpio   GER 1985–1999  
Sierra[n7 3]   GER 1982–1992  
Telstar   JPN 1983–1999  
Taurus   USA 1985–2019  
Tempo   USA 1984–1994  
Verona[n7 4]   BRA 1989–2000  
SUVs
Maverick[n7 5]   JPN 1988–1994  
Bronco II   USA 1984–1990  
Vans
Aerostar   USA 1986–1997  
Trucks
Cargo   USA 1982–2019  
N-Series[n7 6]   JPN 1982–1997  
Bantam   ZAF 1983–2011  
Pronto [n7 7]   TWN 1985–2007  
Notes
  1. A rebadged Mazda 121.
  2. Sold in Asia and Oceania, also named "Meteor".
  3. Also sold as the Azura in some markets.
  4. Also "Volkswagen Apollo", produced by AutoLatina.
  5. A rebadged Nissan Patrol in Australia.
  6. Rebadged Hino Ranger for the Australian market.
  7. A rebadged Suzuki Carry only for Taiwan.

1990–1999

Name Orig. Produced Image
Cars
Aspire   USA 1993–1997  
Contour[n8 1]   USA 1995–2000 100px
Cougar [n8 2]   EU 1999–2002  
Crown Victoria   USA 1992–2011  
Ka   EU 1996–2021  
Puma (coupe)   EU 1997–2002 File:1999 Ford Puma 16 1.7.jpg
Ikon[n8 3]   IND 1999–2015 100px
Focus   USA 1998–2020 100px
SUVs
Raider[n8 4]   JPN 1991-1997  
Maverick[n8 5]   JPN 1993–1999  
Explorer   USA 1994–2003  
Vans / minivans
Freda [n8 6]   JPN 1995  
Galaxy   EU 1995–2023  
Windstar   USA 1995–2003 File:1st Ford Windstar.jpg
Notes
  1. The Mondeo first generation in USA.
  2. Rebadged Mercury Cougar in USA.
  3. Marketed as "Fiesta" sedan version in South America.
  4. A rebadged Mazda B series in Australia.
  5. A rebadged Nissan Terrano II.
  6. A rebadged Mazda Bongo.

2000–2009

Name Orig. Produced Image
Cars
Activa[n9 1]   JPN 2003  
GT   US 2004–2022  
Five Hundred   USA 2005–2007  
Fusion   USA 2006–2020  
SUVs
Excursion   USA 2000–2005  
Escape[n9 2]   USA 2001–2008  
EcoSport   IND
  BRA
2003–2022  
Territory   AUS 2004–2016  
Freestyle   USA 2005–2007  
Taurus X   USA 2008–2009  
Flex   USA 2009–2019  
Minivans
Fusion   EU 2002–2012  
i-Max[n9 3]   JPN 2007–2011  
C-Max[n9 4]   EU 2003–2019  
Freestar   USA 2003–2007  
S-Max   EU 2006–2023  
Trucks / pickups
Explorer Sport Trac   USA 2001–2010  
LCF [n9 5]   USA 2006–2009  
Notes
  1. A rebadged Mazda Familia.
  2. Marketed as "Maverick" in Europe and China.
  3. A rebadged Mazda Premacy, marketed in some Asian countries.
  4. Also called "Focus C-Max".
  5. for "Low Cab Forward".

2010–2019

Name Orig. Produced Image
Cars
Escort   China 2015–2023 File:Ford Escort 2021MY facelift IMG001 (cropped).jpg
Focus Electric   USA 2012–2019 File:2012 Ford Focus Electric 2011 LA Auto Show.jpg
Figo[n10 1]   IND 2010–2021 100px
Taurus   China 2015–2022  
Minivans
B-Max   EU 2012–2017 100px
Grand C-Max   EU 2010–2019 File:Ford Grand C-Max Champions Edition (II) – Frontansicht, 31. Dezember 2012, Ratingen.jpg
C-Max   USA 2013–2019  
Notes
  1. It had a crossover variant called "Freestyle".

Current production vehicles

Body style Model Current generation Vehicle description
Image Name(s) Introduction
(cal. year)
Introduction
(cal. year)
Facelift Main markets
Hatchback   Focus 1998 2018 2021 Europe C-segment / small family compact hatchback predominantly sold in Europe. Expected to be discontinued in 2025.
Sedan   Mondeo/
Taurus
1992 2022 China and Middle East D-segment/Large family/mid-size sedan and liftback currently marketed in China. Marketed as the Taurus in the Middle East.
Station wagon   Focus 1998 2018 2021 Europe Station wagon version of the Focus.
Sports car   Mustang 1964 2022 Global Long-running pony/muscle car. Available in coupé and convertible body styles.
SUV/
crossover
  Bronco 1965 2020 Americas, Europe and Middle East Off-road oriented mid-size body-on-frame SUV. Available in three-door and five-door configurations.
  Bronco Sport 2020 2020 Americas and Middle East Retro-styled compact crossover SUV using the Bronco nameplate.
  Capri EV 2024 2024 Europe Battery electric C-segment/compact crossover for the European market, based on the Volkswagen Group MEB platform.
  Edge 2006 2023 China D-segment/Mid-size crossover marketed in China and manufactured by Changan Ford.
  Equator 2021 2021 2024 China Three-row mid-size crossover marketed in China and manufactured by JMC-Ford.
  Escape 2000 2019 2022 Americas, Europe, Australasia C-segment/compact crossover SUV marketed globally. Escape (global nameplate) and Kuga (Europe) was a separate model up to 2012 when the model was merged. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains are optional.
  Kuga 2008
  Everest 2003 2022 Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East Mid-size body-on-frame SUV based on the Ranger.
  Expedition 1996 2025 Americas and Middle East Full-size body-on-frame SUV. Also available with a longer body variant called the Expedition Max.
  Explorer 1990 2019 2022 Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia Three-row mid-size crossover SUV. Also available as a police fleet vehicle called the Police Interceptor Utility. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains are optional.
  Explorer EV 2024 2024 Europe Battery electric compact crossover for the European market, based on the Volkswagen Group MEB platform.
  Mondeo Sport 2021 2021 China Low-slung mid-size crossover marketed in China and manufactured by Changan Ford. Marketed as the Ford Evos before 2024.
  Mustang
Mach-E
2020 2020 Global Battery electric compact crossover using the Mustang nameplate.
  Puma 2019 2019 2024 Europe and Australasia B-segment/subcompact crossover SUV based on the Fiesta marketed in Europe and Australasia.
  Territory / Equator Sport 2018 2022 2024 Asia, Africa, Middle East and South America Compact crossover SUV manufactured by JMC-Ford joint venture in China, and exported to emerging countries.
Pickup
truck
 
 
F-Series 1948 2020 2023 Americas and Middle East Full-size pickup truck mainly marketed in North America. Historically the best-selling vehicle in the United States (since 1977) and Canada. Line-up includes the F-150 pickup, F-250 through F-450 Super Duty heavy duty pickups. F-450/550 Super Duty class 4-5 trucks and F-650/750 Super Duty class 6-8 trucks are commercial chassis and cab vehicles.
  F-150 Lightning 2022 2022 North America and others Battery electric version of the fourteenth-generation Ford F-150.
  Ranger 1981 2022 Global Mid-size pickup truck sold globally. Available in single cab (except North America), space cab, and double cab configurations.
  Maverick 2021 2021 Americas Compact pickup truck sold in North America and South America. Based on a front-wheel-drive unibody platform shared with the Escape and Bronco Sport.
  Transit 1965 2013 2020 Europe and Australasia Pickup version of the Transit van.
MPV/
minivan
  Tourneo Courier 2014 2022 Europe Passenger version of the Transit Courier.
180px Tourneo Connect 2002 2021 Europe Three-Row Compact MPV. Rebadged Volkswagen Caddy.
180x180px Tourneo Custom 2012 2022 Europe Passenger version of the Transit Custom marketed in Europe.
Van 180x180px Transit Courier 2014 2023 Europe and others Small van based on Fiesta platform mainly marketed in Europe. Available as a four-door or five-door van. The passenger-focused leisure activity vehicle version is called the Tourneo Courier.
File:2018 Ford Transit Connect facelift Front.jpg Transit Connect 2002 2022 Europe and others Compact van based on Focus platform mainly marketed in Europe and North America. Available as a four-door or five-door van. The passenger-focused leisure activity vehicle version is called the Tourneo Connect.
File:Ford Transit Custom (2023) 1X7A1605.jpg Transit Custom 2012 2022 Europe and others Mid-size van mainly marketed in Europe, Australasia and China. Available as a four-door or five-door van. The passenger-focused leisure activity vehicle version is called the Tourneo Custom. A campervan version is called the Transit Custom Nugget.
File:2018 Ford Transit 350 2.0 Front.jpg Transit 1965 2013 2020 Global Full-size, rear-wheel-drive van. Available as a cargo van, passenger van, chassis cab, and cutaway van.
Heavy commercial vehicles   F-MAX 2018 2018 Europe Heavy-duty truck developed and manufactured by Ford Otosan in Turkey. Sold in China as the JMC Weilong HV5.
180px Transit Cutaway 1965 2013 2020 Europe, North America and others Cutaway version of the Transit van.
  E-Series Cutaway 1975 1992 2021 North America A cutaway version of the E-Series.
  F-Series 1948 2015 2020 North America Commercial medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks derived from the smaller F-Series pickup trucks.
  Super Duty 1999 2023 North America Chassis-cab versions of the Super Duty pickups.

Ford Motor Company Media

References

  1. Hyde, Charles K. (June 2005). "National Historic Landmark Nomination – Ford Piquette Avenue Plant" (PDF). National Park Service. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Ford Motor Company 2018 Annual Report (Form 10-K)" (PDF). sec.gov. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. January 2019.
  3. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 4traders.
  4. Rogers, Christina (May 12, 2016). "Shareholders Again Back Ford Family". Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/shareholders-again-back-ford-family-1463087314. Retrieved September 16, 2016.