Ford Motor Company facts for kids
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Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan
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| Public | |
| Traded as |
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| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Henry Ford Company |
| Founded | June 16, 1903 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Founder | Henry Ford |
| Headquarters | Ford World Headquarters,
Dearborn, Michigan
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U.S.
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Key people
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| Products |
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| Brands |
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Production output
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 4.4 million vehicles (2023) |
| Services |
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| Revenue | US$176.2 billion (2023) |
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Operating income
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US$5.46 billion (2023) |
| US$4.33 billion (2023) |
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| Total assets | US$273.3 billion (2023) |
| Total equity |  US$42.80 billion (2023) |
| Owner | Ford family (2% equity; 40% voting power) |
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Number of employees
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177,000 (2023) |
| Divisions |
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| Subsidiaries |
List
International
Finance
Other
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Ford Motor Company, often called Ford, is a huge American company that makes cars. Its main office is in Dearborn, Michigan, in the United States. Henry Ford started the company on June 16, 1903. Ford sells cars and trucks under the Ford brand. It also sells fancy cars under its Lincoln brand. Ford owns part of other car companies around the world. These include Jiangling Motors in China, and joint ventures in Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey. Ford is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The Ford family still has a lot of say in how the company is run.
Ford changed how cars were made. They introduced the moving assembly line. This method, called Fordism, made cars much faster and cheaper to build. By 1914, this way of making things was famous worldwide. Ford used to own car brands like Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo. But they sold these brands to other companies. In 2010, Ford also stopped making cars under its Mercury brand.
Ford is the second-largest car maker in the U.S. (after General Motors). It is the sixth-largest in the world based on how many vehicles it made in 2022. Even though Ford faced tough times during the financial crisis around 2008, it managed to recover without government help. Ford is now a very profitable company. In 2008, Ford made over 5.5 million vehicles. It had about 213,000 employees in many factories worldwide.
History of Ford Motor Company
Early Days: The 20th Century
Before Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford tried to start another car company in 1901. It later became the Cadillac Motor Company. Ford Motor Company officially started in 1903. It began in a small factory with money from twelve investors. The first president was a banker, not Henry Ford himself. In its early years, the company made only a few cars each day. Workers built cars by hand using parts from other companies.
Henry Ford was 39 when he started Ford Motor Company. It grew into one of the biggest and most successful companies in the world. The Ford family has controlled it for over 100 years. This makes it one of the largest family-controlled companies globally.
The first gasoline car was made in 1885 by Karl Benz in Germany. But cars were very expensive. Ford wanted to make cars that regular people could afford. In 1913, Ford introduced the first moving assembly line at its factory in Highland Park. This made car production much faster and cheaper.
Between 1903 and 1908, Ford made several car models. But in 1908, Ford launched the Model T. This car was mass-produced and millions were sold over nearly 20 years. In 1927, the Model T was replaced by the Model A. This was the first car to have safety glass in the windshield. In 1932, Ford also made the first affordable car with a V8 engine.
To compete with other car brands, Ford created the Mercury brand in 1939. These cars were a bit more expensive than regular Fords. Henry Ford also bought the Lincoln Motor Company in 1922. This allowed Ford to make luxury cars to compete with brands like Cadillac.
During World War II, the U.S. government chose Ford to mass-produce B-24 Liberator bombers. These were made at Ford's Willow Run factory. Ford's factories in Germany and France also made military vehicles for the war effort. Some of Ford's operations in Germany at that time used workers who were made to work.
In 1951, Ford opened a science lab. This led to Ford's work in superconductivity. In 1964, Ford Research Labs invented a special device called a SQUID.
Ford cared about safety too. In 1956, they offered the Lifeguard safety package. This included a special steering wheel and, for the first time, front and rear seatbelts. In 1957, Ford added child-proof door locks to its cars.
The famous Ford Mustang was first shown on April 17, 1964, at the 1964 New York World's Fair. Ford had a special display there made by The Walt Disney Company. In 1965, Ford added a seat belt reminder light to its cars.
In the 1980s, Ford released many successful cars around the world. They used the slogan "Have you driven a Ford, lately?" to show off their new, modern vehicles. Ford also bought Jaguar Cars in 1990 and Aston Martin in 1994. In the late 1990s, Ford sold many cars in America. This was a time when the economy was strong and gas prices were low.
Ford in the 21st Century
As the new century began, Ford faced challenges. Healthcare costs, higher gas prices, and less market share made it harder to make money. Most of Ford's profits came from financing car loans through Ford Motor Credit Company.
In 2005, Ford's financial situation was tough. Chairman Bill Ford asked Mark Fields to create a plan to make the company profitable again. This plan, called The Way Forward, was announced in 2006. It involved making the company smaller, stopping some less popular models, and closing factories.
Ford started making new types of vehicles, like "Crossover SUVs." These cars are built more like regular cars, not big trucks. Ford also worked on hybrid cars. They partnered with Southern California Edison to study how plug-in hybrids could work with the electric power grid.
William Clay Ford Jr., Henry Ford's great-grandson, became executive chairman in 1998. He also became CEO in 2001. He was the first Ford family member to lead the company since 1982. In 2006, Alan Mulally became president and CEO, with Bill Ford staying as executive chairman.
In 2006, Ford had a record loss of $12.7 billion. But they surprised everyone in 2007 by making a profit. In 2008, Ford sold its Jaguar and Land Rover businesses to Tata Motors.
During the 2008 financial crisis, Ford's CEO, Alan Mulally, said that Ford was strong enough to avoid needing government loans. Unlike other big US carmakers, Ford did not need a government bailout. Ford returned to making a profit in 2009.
In 2016, Ford announced a big plan to update its main offices and engineering centers in Dearborn. This ten-year project would double the number of employees working there to 24,000. The new buildings would be modern and energy-efficient.
In 2017, Ford announced it would invest more money in Michigan. They planned to create 700 new jobs there. Also in 2017, Ford started developing a new area in Detroit called Corktown. This area would focus on self-driving and electric vehicle technology. Ford bought the historic Michigan Central Station to be the center of this new campus.
In 2018, Ford said it would stop making most passenger cars in North America. They decided to focus more on trucks and SUVs, except for the Mustang. This was because people were buying fewer cars and more trucks and SUVs.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ford and other carmakers temporarily closed factories. Ford's sales dropped by 15% in the first part of 2020. In 2021, Ford started offering COVID-19 vaccines to its employees.
In March 2022, Ford announced a big change. They would split the company into three parts:
- Ford Model E: Focuses on electric vehicles.
- Ford Blue: Focuses on traditional gasoline cars.
- Ford Pro: Focuses on commercial vehicles and services.
In 2023, Ford announced job cuts in Europe. This was part of their plan to invest heavily in electric vehicle technology. Ford's Model E division is expected to become profitable by 2026.
In April 2023, the UK approved Ford's BlueCruise technology. This assisted driving system allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel on certain roads. It uses sensors and cameras to control speed and distance. It also watches the driver's eyes to make sure they are paying attention. This technology is available in the 2023 Mustang Mach-E SUV. It is a "level 2" system, meaning the driver is still responsible for the car.
Logo History
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1903
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1907
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1909
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1911
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1912
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1912 variant
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1927
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1957
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1976
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2003
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2017
How Ford Works
Leaders at Ford
The Ford board of directors includes William Clay Ford Jr. (executive chairman) and Jim Farley (president and CEO). Other members include family members like Alexandra Ford English and Henry Ford III. Jim Farley became CEO in August 2020.
Who Owns Ford?
Most of Ford is owned by large investment groups. The biggest shareholders in December 2023 included The Vanguard Group and BlackRock.
Ford's Giving Back Programs
The Ford Philanthropy, also known as Ford Fund, is the part of Ford Motor Company that gives to charity. It was started in 1949 by Henry Ford II. In 2017, it gave $63 million to different causes. They focus on education, driving safety, and helping communities.
One program is Ford Driving Skills for Life. This program teaches safe driving to teens. The Ford Volunteer Corps allows Ford employees and retired workers to volunteer for local projects in over 40 countries. Ford Philanthropy also supports many education programs and scholarships around the world.
Ford Around the World
Ford has factories and operations in many countries. These include the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, and South Africa.
North America
In North America, Ford sells many vehicles. In May 2010, Ford's sales went up by 23% for the month.
Europe
Ford has a strong presence in Europe. For a while, Ford in Germany and Ford in Britain made different car models. But after 1965, they started making the same models, like the Ford Transit van and the Ford Escort.
In February 2002, Ford stopped making cars in the UK. This was the first time in 90 years that Ford cars were not made in Britain. However, they still make Transit vans and engines there. Ford also has a joint factory in Turkey called Ford Otosan. This factory makes Transit vans.
The Ford Anglia was a popular small car in Europe in 1959. It had a unique look. The Escort replaced it in 1967. The Ford Focus was launched in 1998. It was known for its cool design and great handling. The Ford Sierra replaced the Cortina and Taunus models in 1982. It had a very modern, aerodynamic design.
In 1976, Ford entered the mini-car market with the Ford Fiesta hatchback. It was mostly made in Spain and sold very well. In 2012, Ford announced it would close its factory in Belgium by the end of 2014.
In March 2022, Ford stopped its joint business in Russia because of the war. In October 2022, Ford completely left the Russian market.
Asia and Southeast Asia
Ford started a car-making partnership in China in 2001. They have invested a lot to make more cars there. Ford also has a presence in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Taiwan. In Thailand, Ford has a joint factory with Mazda called Auto Alliance.
South Korea
Ford worked with Hyundai in South Korea in 1967. They built the European Ford Cortina there. Later, Ford worked with Kia. Kia built cars like the Ford Festiva for export to the United States. Ford sold its share in Kia to Hyundai in 1998. Today, Ford sells models like the Explorer, Mondeo, and Mustang in South Korea.
South and West Asia
Ford India started making cars in 1998. They made the Ford Escort, which was later replaced by the Ford Ikon. In 2010, Ford launched its first car made just for the Indian market, the Figo. In 2021, Ford India announced it would close its car factories there.
Ford's presence in the Middle East has been smaller. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates are the biggest markets for Ford there.
South America
In South America, Ford mainly operates in Brazil and Argentina. In 1987, Ford's operations in Brazil and Argentina joined with Volkswagen's to form a company called Autolatina. This company was dissolved in 1995. In early 2021, Ford's Brazil branch announced it would stop making cars in the country.
Africa
In Africa, Ford is strongest in South Africa. Ford in South Africa used to import car parts from Canada and assemble them. Later, they got models from the UK and Australia. In the mid-1980s, Ford merged with another company to form Samcor. Ford later bought back full ownership of its South African business.
What Ford Makes and Offers
Cars and Vehicles
Ford Motor Company sells many different cars under the Ford brand. It also sells luxury cars under the Lincoln brand in the United States. In the past, Ford sold cars under other brands like Mercury and Edsel.
Ford used to own other car companies. They bought British sports car maker Aston Martin in 1989 and sold it in 2007. Ford also bought Volvo Cars in 1999 and sold it in 2010. Ford also had a large share in Mazda of Japan, but they sold most of their shares by 2015. Ford sold Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors in 2008.
As of 2018, Ford planned to stop making most car models in North America. They wanted to focus on trucks and SUVs, with the Mustang being the only car model left.
Trucks
Ford has been making trucks since 1908. They started with the Ford Model TT. Ford has made trucks in many countries around the world.
From the 1940s to the late 1970s, Ford's Ford F-Series trucks were very popular in North America. Ford also made heavy trucks. In Europe, Ford makes the Ford Transit van, which is a large van. They also make the smaller Ford Transit Connect and the Ford Ranger pickup truck.
Buses
In its early days, Ford made complete buses. Today, Ford mostly makes the chassis (the frame and engine) for buses. Other companies then build the bus body on top of it. In North America, the E-Series is used for small school buses. The F-650 is used for commercial buses.
In 1936, Ford introduced the Ford Transit Bus. This was a series of small buses. After 1946, Ford stopped making transit buses in North America. In Europe, Ford makes the Ford Transit Minibus. This is a passenger vehicle with 12 to 17 seats.
Tractors
Henry Ford's company started making Fordson tractors in 1907. They were made in Michigan, Ireland, and England. Ford re-entered the tractor market in 1939 with the Ford N-series tractors. The Ford 8N, made in 1947, became the most popular tractor ever in North America.
In 1986, Ford bought Sperry-New Holland, a company that made farm equipment. They formed Ford-New Holland. This company was later bought by Fiat in 1993 and became New Holland.
Financial Services
Ford also offers car loans and financing through Ford Motor Credit Company.
Car Parts
Ford's FoMoCo division sells car parts under the Motorcraft brand. They also spun off their parts division into a separate company called Visteon.
FordWorks Program
In 2016, Ford started the FordWorks program. This program helps people with disabilities find jobs. It was the first car company program to focus on hiring people with autism in the US. They have since expanded it to include people with other disabilities.
Ford's Environmental Efforts
Cleaner Fuels
Some Ford vehicles, like certain Crown Victorias used in fleets and taxis, can run on compressed natural gas (CNG). Some CNG cars have two fuel tanks, one for gasoline and one for CNG.
Ford also makes flexible fuel vehicles. These cars can run on different mixtures of ethanol and gasoline, like E85. This helps reduce the use of pure gasoline.
Electric Cars
Hybrid Electric Vehicles
In 2004, Ford introduced the Escape Hybrid. This was Ford's first hybrid electric vehicle and the first hybrid SUV. It was also the first hybrid that could run on E85 fuel.
In 2007, Ford partnered with Southern California Edison to study plug-in hybrids. They converted some Escape Hybrids into plug-in hybrids to see how they would work with the electric power grid. In 2009, Ford launched hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid.
By 2014, Ford had sold over 344,000 hybrids in the United States. Ford is the world's second-largest maker of hybrids, after Toyota Motor Corporation.
Plug-in Electric Vehicles
Ford now makes several plug-in electric vehicles. These include the Ford Escape/Kuga PHEV, Ford Ranger PHEV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford F-150 Lightning, and various electric vans.
In the past, Ford made electric versions of the Ford Ranger pickup truck. They also offered the Ford TH!NK car.
In 2017, Ford announced it would invest $4.5 billion to develop more plug-in electric vehicles by 2020. They created a special team called Team Edison for this.
The Mustang Mach-E was introduced in 2019 and went on sale in 2020. It's an electric SUV. In 2022, Ford's CFO said the Mach-E was no longer making a profit because raw material costs went up.
In May 2021, Ford showed off a new electric pickup truck, the F-150 Lightning. The first ones were made in April 2022. Ford also started making electric cargo vans called E-Transit in Kansas City, Missouri.
Ford is working with Volkswagen to make electric vehicles for Europe. The first Ford car based on Volkswagen's electric platform is the Ford Explorer EV, introduced in 2023.
In March 2022, Ford created Ford Model E, a new division just for electric vehicles. Ford plans for this division to be profitable by 2026. In May 2023, Ford announced its electric vehicles would use Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) system. This means Ford electric cars will have access to many more charging stations.
Hydrogen Power
Ford is also looking into fuel cell-powered electric cars. They have shown hydrogen-fueled cars that use hydrogen instead of gasoline. These cars produce less pollution and are quieter. Ford has made hydrogen-powered shuttle buses for airports. In 2006, Ford showed a hydrogen fuel cell version of its Explorer SUV. This car could travel up to 350 miles on one tank of hydrogen.
Better Fuel Efficiency
In 2008, Ford announced plans to make more fuel-efficient cars. They planned to change some truck and SUV factories to make smaller cars. They also planned to bring six of their European small cars to North America.
Ford of Europe created the ECOnetic program. This program aims to make cars more fuel-efficient and produce less CO2. It uses special diesel engines and better design to save fuel.
As part of updating the Ford River Rouge Complex, Ford added a large "living roof" in 2010. This roof is covered with plants. It helps to collect and clean rainwater and keeps the building cooler, saving energy.
In 2016, Ford announced a ten-year plan to renovate its Dearborn campus. The new campus will have modern buildings that meet high environmental standards. It will also have green spaces and new energy plants.
Sponsorships
Ford sponsors many events and sports places in the U.S. These include the Ford Center in Indiana and Ford Field in Detroit. Ford has also sponsored the UEFA Champions League for over twenty years. They also sponsor the Sky media channel's coverage of Premier League football.
Sales Numbers
| Calendar Year | US sales | Market share
of US sales |
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| 1997 | 3,877,458 | 25.0% |
| 1998 | 3,922,604 | 24.5% |
| 1999 | 4,163,369 | 23.9% |
| 2000 | 4,202,820 | 23.6% |
| 2001 | 3,971,364 | 22.7% |
| 2002 | 3,623,709 | 21.2% |
| 2003 | 3,483,719 | 20.5% |
| 2004 | 3,331,676 | 19.3% |
| 2005 | 3,153,875 | 18.1% |
| 2006 | 2,901,090 | 17.0% |
| 2007 | 2,507,366 | 15.2% |
| 2008 | 1,988,376 | 14.7% |
| 2009 | 1,620,888 | 15.3% |
| 2010 | 1,935,462 | 16.4% |
| 2011 | 2,143,101 | 16.4% |
| 2012 | 2,250,165 | 15.2% |
| 2013 | 2,493,918 | 15.7% |
| 2014 | 2,480,942 | 14.7% |
| 2015 | 2,613,162 | 14.6% |
| 2016 | 2,614,697 | 14.6% |
| 2017 | 2,586,715 | 14.7% |
| 2018 | 2,497,318 | 14.1% |
| 2019 | 2,422,698 | 13.8% |
| 2020 | 2,044,744 | 13.7% |
| 2021 | 1,905,955 | 12.4% |
Ford in Racing (Motorsport)
FIA World Championships
Ford is one of only three American car makers to win titles in international racing championships. They have won the World Sportscar Championship three times. In rallying, Ford has won the World Drivers' Championship four times and the World Manufacturers' Championship four times. As an engine supplier, Ford engines have won the Formula One World Drivers' Championship 13 times and the World Constructors' Championship 10 times.
Ford is also one of only three car makers to achieve the "Triple Crown of Motorsport." This means winning the Indianapolis 500, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Monaco Grand Prix. Ford did this as an engine maker by winning the 1968 Monaco Grand Prix.
IndyCar Racing
IndyCars with Ford engines first raced in 1935. Ford engines, including the DFX engine, have won the Indianapolis 500 eighteen times. In 1996, Arie Luyendyk set speed records at the Indianapolis 500 with a Ford Cosworth XB engine. These records still stand today!
Formula Ford
Formula Ford is a type of racing for beginners in the UK. Many famous race car drivers started their careers in this category.
Formula One Racing
Ford was very involved in Formula One for many years. They supplied engines to many teams from 1967 to 2004. These engines were made by Cosworth, a racing company owned by Ford. Ford-badged engines won 176 races. Ford also had its own team, Jaguar Racing, from 2000 to 2004. Ford left Formula One after the 2004 season.
Ford has announced it will return to Formula One in 2026. They will partner with Red Bull Powertrains to supply engines.
Stock Car Racing (NASCAR)
Ford is one of three car makers in NASCAR's main racing series. Major teams like RFK Racing and Team Penske race Fords. Ford cars like the Mustang GT and the F-150 truck are used in these races. Ford has won many championships in NASCAR. In 2013, Ford earned its 1,000th victory in the Sprint Cup Series.
Rally Racing
Ford has a long history in rallying. They have been in the World Rally Championship since 1973. Ford won the manufacturers' title in 1979. They also won back-to-back manufacturers' titles in 2006 and 2007 with the Ford Focus WRC.
Rallycross
Ford also competes in rallycross with its Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus cars. Drivers like Tanner Foust have won championships with Ford cars.
Sports Car Racing
Ford sports cars have been racing since 1964. The Ford GT40 is very famous. It won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row (1966-1969). It is the only American car to win this important race overall. Ford also won four titles in the World Sportscar Championship with the GT40.
The Ford Mustang has been one of Ford's most successful sports cars in racing. It has won many championships in series like the Trans-Am Series and IMSA GT Championship.
Touring Car Racing
Ford has raced touring cars like the Mustang, Focus, and Falcon in many different series. For example, Ford Mondeo drivers finished 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the 2000 British Touring Car Championship.
Drag Racing
In drag racing, Ford Mustang Funny Cars have won several NHRA titles.
Drifting
Ford has also entered the sport of drifting. The Falken Tires Mustang, driven by Vaughn Gittin, Jr., is a well-known drifting car.
See also
In Spanish: Ford Motor Company para niños
- The Henry Ford
- Ford's Garage
- Chariot (company)
- Detroit Automobile Company
- Smith Electric Vehicles
- Soybean Car
- Dodge v. Ford Motor Company
- Firestone and Ford tire controversy
- List of automobile manufacturers of the United States
