Analysis of the Ford Motor Company

The Ford Motor Company has a heritage dating back more than a century.

The Ford Motor Company is based in Dearborn, Michigan and is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world selling cars under its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands. Founded in 1903 by Henry Ford, the company's first model line was called the Model A.

History

While working for the Edison Illuminating Company in the 1890s, Henry Ford invented the Quadricycle, a motorized vehicle. In 1898, Ford founded the Detroit Automobile Company, an enterprise that lasted only one year. Four years later the Ford Motor Company as launched.

Significance

Though wrongly credited by some with inventing the automobile, Henry Ford invented the moving assembly line. That step helped Ford to assemble cars faster and cut costs, making the automobile affordable to many more Americans.

Products

Since World War II, Ford has had its share of successes and failures. Top models include the Ford Mustang and Ford F-Series, while the Ford Pinto and Edsel were corporate flops.

Sales

According to Consumer Reports, the Ford F-Series and Ford Fusion were among the top selling vehicles for Ford in 2009 in the US market.

Future

Ford is banking on smaller and lighter cars to power its future. The Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Fiesta and a host of hybrid and electric cars are among the notable vehicles in the mix, part of the company's "One Ford" product initiative.

References

• Bryant University: History of Ford
• The Franklin Institute: Quadricycle
• Massachussetts Institute of Technology: The Assembly Line
• Consumer Reports: Top-selling cars in 2009 yields some surprises
• Ford: One Ford Mission