History of Ford
Ford Motor Company, also known simply as Ford, is a multinational American automaker with headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. Henry Ford founded it, and on June 16, 1903, it became a legal entity. A small number of cars were made each day in Detroit, Michigan, at the company's first factories on Mack Avenue and later Piquette Avenue. Ford also owns the Brazilian SUV producer Troller, an 8% stake in the British automaker Aston Martin, and a 32% stake in Jiangling Motors in China.
When he started the Ford Motor Company, which would grow to be one of the biggest and most successful businesses in the world, Henry Ford was 39 years old. It is one of the biggest family-controlled businesses in the world and has been under continuous family control for more than 100 years.
Ford Motor Company ceased making cars for the general public in 1942 in order to focus on producing vehicles, aircraft, and tanks for the American military.
By the 1990s, Ford Motor Company had returned its attention to its automotive concerns and financial services after experimenting with limited diversification in the 1950s and 1960s, such as its 1961 acquisition of the electronics company Philco. Ford purchased Jaguar, a British luxury car manufacturer, in 1989 or 1990. In 1993, Aston Martin became a fully owned subsidiary. Later purchases included the car rental company Hertz Corporation in 1994, the Volvo car division in 1999 and the Land Rover line of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) in 2000. Additionally, Ford invested heavily in Mazda Motor Corporation. Ford started selling these brands, though, as it struggled in the early years of the twenty-first century. Ford sold Hertz and Aston Martin in 2005 and 2007. It also sold Jaguar and Land Rover to Indian company Tata Motors Ltd. in 2008. Ford began selling its Mazda stock in 2008, and by 2015, it had completely sold all of its holdings.
In addition to the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and South Africa, Ford has production facilities all around the globe. Ford and Russian carmaker GAZ have a working relationship.
Vehicle range
Under the Ford brand, the corporation produces cars, trucks, buses, tractors, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, commercial vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and luxury vehicles under the Lincoln premium brand.
Interesting facts about Ford
Ford released the mass-produced Model T in 1908, and millions of them were sold over the course of close to 20 years.
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber was mass-produced at Ford's Willow Run assembly factory by the US Department of Defense during World War II. Ford Germany, a Ford company in Germany, produced military vehicles and other gear for the war effort of Nazi Germany. Forced labor was used in several of Ford's activities at the time in Germany.
In March 2008, Ford sold its former UK businesses Jaguar and Land Rover, which it had bought in 1989 and 2000, respectively, to the Indian carmaker Tata Motors. Volvo of Sweden was under Ford's ownership from 1999 until 2010. Ford stopped selling entry-level luxury vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East under the Mercury brand in 2011. This practice dates back to 1938.
On April 17, 1964, during the New York World's Fair, the Ford Mustang was unveiled (where Ford had a pavilion made by The Walt Disney Company.)
Ford was the fifth-largest carmaker in Europe at the end of 2010. Based on its $156.7 billion in worldwide sales in 2017, Ford Motors was the eleventh-ranked American firm overall in the 2018 Fortune 500 ranking.
Ford Motor Company bought a controlling stake in the self-driving vehicle firm Argo AI in February 2017.
Shortest and longest models
The EcoSport is the smallest Ford SUV, measuring 161.3 inches in total length. This automobile had two sizes in the 1970s: giant and monstrous. It measured around 18.6 feet in length in sedan form and over 19 feet in station wagon form, making it the largest vehicle Ford had ever sold.
Motorsport history
Ford is one of only three American manufacturers to have won championships in the FIA World Championships, together with Shelby and Chevrolet. In 1966, 1967, and 1968, Ford won the World Sportscar Championship three times as a constructor. In 1979, 2006, and 2007, Ford won the World Rally Championship three times.
Biggest competitors
Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Honda, and Hyundai are the top 5 direct competitors of Ford. Dodge, General Motors, Chevrolet, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), and Nissan are a few of the main rivals.
Pros and cons of Ford models
Most popular models:
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1908 Ford Model T - It was a car designed for ordinary people and transformed the world over the next 19 years as Ford produced over 16 million models, marking the longest production of any vehicle until 1972 when the Volkswagen Beetle took the honor.
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1932 – 1934 Ford V8 - Initially released as the Model 18 and later known as the Ford V8, the Deuce made history as the first mass-produced car with a V8 engine under the hood. The 3.6-liter V8 gave drivers their first taste of real power and delivered 65 horsepower, which was unheard of at the time and sealed the V8’s popularity in future Ford models.
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1939 Ford Lincoln Continental - With over 200 orders placed upon its debut, the Lincoln Continental signified the ultimate in worldly luxury.
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1948 F-Series - The F-Series offered what quickly became known as the “Million Dollar Cab” that delivered living room style comfort to the driver and passenger. This launched a new trend in the truck industry that continues today on models like the F-150 King Ranch, which offers the utmost comfort and luxury.
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1955 - 1957 Ford Thunderbird - an icon of style and sophistication with a steel body, roll-up windows, a telescoping steering wheel, and a V8 engine. Offered only as a convertible with a removable fiberglass hardtop, the Thunderbird was an instant hit and easily outsold the Corvette to become the most popular and glamorous car on the road.
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1964 – 1969 Ford GT40 - Ford formed the High Performance and Special Models Operation Unit that set out to work on what would eventually be known as the GT40. The GT40 was incredibly fast but struggled to endure until Carroll Shelby was invited to take over. With Shelby at the helm, the GT40 blossomed and started winning major races, including four consecutive Le Mans contests against Ferrari from 1966 to 1969.
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1965 – 1973 Ford Mustang - With Ford building its 10 millionth Mustang in 2018, it’s safe to say the Mustang remains a massive performer in the Ford lineup and continues to symbolize the birth of the classic pony car.
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1966 Ford Shelby 427 Cobra - Ford enlisted the help of Carroll Shelby, who brokered a deal with England’s AC Ace to manufacture a lightweight chassis that would house Ford’s massive V8 engine. The partnership proved profitable as the Shelby 427 Cobra was born and delivered anywhere between 425 and 485 horsepower to drivers with a need for pure speed.
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1986 Ford Taurus - deserves a place among the most famous Ford vehicles because it not only paved the way for future sedans but also saved Ford at a time when the automotive industry was tanking. The model offered responsive steering, outstanding performance, and impressive comfort, all of which were rare in the industry at the time.
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2009 F-150 SVT Raptor - designed to tackle any terrain as Ford’s ultimate off-road warrior, complete with a rugged, long-travel suspension and Fox Shox Racing dampers. As Ford’s most profitable vehicle, it’s no wonder why Ford brought the Raptor back bigger than ever in 2021.
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2017 – 2022 Ford GT - Equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-L V6 EcoBoost engine, the 2022 GT spits out an insane 660 hp, good for a top speed of 216 mph and a 0-60 time of a mind-boggling 3 seconds
The worst models and their imperfections:
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1971 Ford Pinto - is considered the worst car ever made by any auto manufacturer. It had a horrible build quality and would burst into flames in pretty much every rear-end collision.
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1958 – 1960 Ford Edsel - Plagued by problems ranging from oil leaks to stuck buttons, the Edsel was an outright disaster. Ford spent around $250 million to roll out 18 different variations of this car and had to bear an estimated $350 million in losses.
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1974 – 1976 Ford Gran Torino Elite – was a mid-size two-door luxury coupe that Ford rolled out as a less expensive alternative to Thunderbird. It was uncomfortably loud and had plenty of faults that made it an inconvenient ride.
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1984 – 1990 Ford Bronco II - was notorious for its rollover accidents caused by a short wheelbase, narrow track, and tall center of gravity. The rollover accidents happened even at speeds as low as 20 mph, killing at least 800 people over the years.
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1980 – 1982 Ford Thunderbird - another example of Ford messing up with an iconic vehicle. Ford drastically cut its size and practically turned it into a Fairmont. This transition from a luxurious full-size icon to a mid-size skinny vehicle wasn’t appreciated by consumers and the sales plummeted.
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2012 – 2016 Ford Focus - The third generation of Ford Focus is notorious for its poor reliability. The 2012-2016 Focuses, in particular, were part of numerous recalls caused by Ford’s new automatic ‘PowerShift’ transmission and a malfunctioning exhaust system. Being considered one of the worst Fords ever made, with complaints of excessive vibration, grinding noises, jerky shifting, and even complete failure to get into gear at all.
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1978 – 1980 Ford Fiesta - The Fiesta was assembled in Europe and wasn’t meant for the US market. But Ford decided to bring it home to compete with Volkswagen Rabbit. The result was, well, a massive blow for Ford. Even though the Fiesta remained a best-seller in Europe, it’s considered one of the worst Fords ever.
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1974 – 1978 Ford Mustang II - The Mustang II was Ford’s failed attempt to sell more vehicles. Based on a Pinto platform, it was grossly underpowered and painfully slow, with a 0-60 time of 10.5 seconds. Ford’s ridiculous plan backfired and the Mustang II came out as a massive disappointment.
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1978 – 1983 Ford Fairmont - simply put, unattractive and dull. Its distasteful squareness traveled to the interior, with awkward dashboard gauges and an unusual front seat. The performance was also not inspiring by any means.
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1982 – 1988 Ford EXP - lacked purpose, was extremely underpowered at 70 hp and offered nothing special. Being Ford’s slowest-selling nameplate in the compact sports coupe segment that was already pretty flooded, the EXP was discontinued in 1988.
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2002 – 2012 Ford Th!nk City - was a cramped, impractical, and extremely over-priced car with a pathetic range of 50 miles. It was also plagued with numerous issues and was recalled multiple times.
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1991 – 2002 Ford Explorer - After widespread condemnation and a host of congressional inquiries into Ford’s dedication to the safety of its vehicles, Ford blamed the accidents on the Firestone tires used in the Explorers and ended its 90-year-long partnership with the tire manufacturer in a scandalized controversy.
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1996 – 2000 Ford Contour – it was launched to replace the Tempo in the North American market and to dominate the compact sedan segment. Actually, it wasn’t too bad a car. It had good handling and a pretty decent interior. However, it was priced relatively higher than other rivals and was marred by a faulty transmission, which eventually led to its discontinuation in 2000.
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1996 – 1999 Ford Taurus - A failed redesigning experiment in both exterior and interior dethroned this insanely popular midsize sedan and paved the way for the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord to dominate the segment.
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2018 – 2022 Ford Ecosport - lack of safety features, and a below-average fuel economy, the Ecosport is one of the worst cars to come out of the Ford line-up in recent years. Years of plummeting sales have finally made Ford pull the plug on this outdated vehicle and the 2022 version would be its last model.
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1988 – 1994 Ford Tempo - The second generation was one of the worst Fords ever. From a faulty ignition to unintended acceleration to steering problems, the 1988 Tempo had it all. A bland design topped it all. The decline was so steep that Ford had to end production in 1994.
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1986 – 1990 Ford Festive - Despite the involvement of three auto giants (Ford, Azda and Kia) from three countries, the car was shockingly inferior. With ugly looks, unimpressive features, and a grossly underpowered engine, the Festiva shouted cheap from everything used in it. The “special features” in the top-of-the-line variant were a tachometer and cloth seats.
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1989 – 1997 Ford Probe - Ford originally made this car as the fourth generation of Mustang in a bid to cut production costs, but a strong objection from muscle car enthusiasts regarding the Probe’s front-wheel-drive, absence of V8, and Japanese ancestry made Ford rebrand it to a different vehicle. The Probe failed to convince buyers on both sides of the Atlantic and was discontinued in 1997.
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1994 – 1998 Ford Windstar - Even though the American automaker had no luck in this segment, the Windstar sold a decent number when it was introduced in 1994. But then complaints of all kinds started pouring in. The most notable reliability issue was the blowing head gaskets caused by a faulty cooling system, a tighter engine bay, and higher loads.
Innovations made by Ford
With the use of intricately engineered production processes typified by moving assembly lines, Ford introduced techniques for large-scale automobile manufacturing and the management of an industrial workforce. By 1914, these techniques were referred to as Fordism throughout the world.
The German inventor Karl Benz built the first gasoline-powered car in 1885. (Benz Patent-Motorwagen). In order to make automobiles affordable for the middle class, more effective production techniques were required. Ford made a contribution to this cause by, for example, introducing the first moving assembly line in 1913 at the Ford factory in Highland Park.
The Model A, the first automobile with safety glass in the windshield, was Ford's replacement for the T in 1927. In 1932, Ford introduced the first affordable vehicle with a V8 engine.
From 1956, Ford offered the Lifeguard safety package, which featured cutting-edge features like a standard deep-dish steering wheel, optional front and rear seatbelts, and an optional padded dash. Ford offered the first retractable hardtop on a six-seater car in 1957, the same year it also made child-proof door locks available in its products.
A significant development was made by Ford Research Labs in 1964 with the creation of the SQUID, or superconducting quantum interference device.
Ford first made the seat belt reminder light available in 1965.
Safety and reliability
Ford vehicles are renowned for their solid feel, responsive ride, and precise handling. Among the 24 brands that participated in the yearly survey, Ford fell four spots to 18th place in 2022.
Any vehicle issues that occurred over the previous 12 months in any of the 17 trouble spots that members considered serious due to cost, failure, safety, or downtime were reported. These problem areas include brakes, paint and trim, electrical system, minor and major engine and transmission problems, and in-car electronics.
Fords have above average ownership expenses since, according to RepairPal, their average yearly repair cost is $775 as opposed to the $652 average for all automobile types.
Ford Maverick and Ford Edge were the only models to receive reliability ratings that were above average, while the Ford Explorer and Ford F-150 PowerBoost hybrid received ratings that were significantly below average.
Ford is still a well-known and dependable brand despite receiving only average reliability ratings.
Ford electric models
Ford Motor Company is forging forward with innovation by combining cutting-edge automotive technology with the durable framework of the company's historically successful products. There are now three Ford all-electric cars you may choose from: the Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV, the Ford F-150 Lightning, and the Ford E-Transit van.