Ford

Ford

When a person thinks about a Quadricycle they probably have something modern in mind, but it actually dates back to the year 1896. While working at the Edison Illuminating Company in Detroit as chief engineer, Henry Ford built his first gas-powered vehicle. He called it the Quadricycle; and as the history of Ford proves, it was just the first of his many gasoline-powered vehicles the world would know. When Ford envisioned his idea, he probably had no idea the icon he and his vehicles would become.

When was the Ford Motor Company founded? Henry Ford may have built the first gasoline-powered vehicle in 1896, but it would not be until the morning of June 15, 1903, at 9:30 a.m. when Ford and eleven other stockholders signed and submitted official paperwork to Michigan’s Secretary of State Office. On June 16, 1903, the Ford Motor Company was officially incorporated. Before this date, twice Ford unsuccessfully attempted to form an automobiles manufacturing company.

How long has Ford been in business? One month after establishing the Ford Motor Company on June 16, 1903, assembly of the first Ford car was built at a manufacturing plant in Detroit on Mack Avenue. Small groups of workers built Ford cars by hand, producing only a few cars per day with parts special ordered by other companies. In 1908, Ford succeeded in his mission to build a reliable, efficient and affordable automobile for everyone and over the next decade, Model Ts were nearly half the cars owned in America.

In 1913, Ford developed the world’s first moving assembly line; his methods of mass-production – a direct result the sensational demand the “Tin Lizzie” caused, including use of interchangeable, standardized parts and large production plants – set the stage for the manufacturing industry. He also introduced a $5 wage for an eight-hour shift for workers, setting it as standard for industry wages.

Why is Ford important to history? Before Ford’s mass-production breakthrough, cars were for the rich and famous. His revolutionary assembly line inventions not only made cars affordable to every American, but created jobs with higher pay. During War times, his automobile factories were retooled to be Military Factories producing Army vehicles including airplanes.

“The only history that is worth a tinker's damn is the history we make today.” —Henry Ford

Where was Ford first founded? Ford Motor Company, incorporated on June 16, 1903, in Detroit, Michigan, rolled its first Ford car out of assembly in a manufacturing plant located on Mack Avenue. Mass-production assembly followed in 1913.

Ford – the Historic Icon

1903

• June 16 – Henry Ford, along with eleven investors sign and submit official paperwork to incorporate the Ford Motor Company in Michigan.

1908

• October 1 – Model T is introduced becoming one of the world’s most owned cars.

1911

• First Ford factory opens outside North America in Manchester, England.

1913

• October 7 – The world’s first automobile assembly line beings operations at the Highland Park Plant in Michigan.

1914

• January 5 - $5 per day wage for eight-hour shifts begin at Highland Park’s Model T Plant with 15,000 job seekers clamoring for 3,000 jobs.

• 1919

  • Henry Ford is succeeded by Edsel Ford as Company President.

  1920

  • Ford has a temporary shut down due to low sales.

  1922

  • Lincoln Motor Company purchased for $8,000,000.

  1941

  • March 1 – Military general purpose jeeps production begins and by February 1942 Ford had shifted completely to military production.
  • Ford introduces the Lincoln Continental.

  1943

  • At age 49, Edsel Ford dies of stomach cancer.
    Henry Ford resumes as Company President.

  • 1945

    • Lincoln and Mercury divisions combine.

    1947

    • Henry Ford dies at 83 years old of a cerebral hemorrhage.
    • Henry Ford II becomes company’s new Chairman.

    1954

    • Thunderbird (V8 engine) is introduced.
    • Crash testing begins at Arizona Proving Grounds.

    1956

    • Ford Motor Company common stock hits the marketplace selling 10,200,000 shares the first day.
    • Lifeguard safety option package – dash padding and seat belts – available as an upgrade.
    • Ford earns Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year” award for its Lifeguard option package.

    • 1964

      • The Mustang – pony car class – goes on sale.

      1966

      • Three GT40 Mk II’s break Ferrari’s 6-year winning streak sweeping the 24 Hour of Le Mans.

      1976

      • Ford (Europe) introduces Fiesta.

      1985

      • Taurus sedan is introduced.

      1987

      • September 7 – Ford owns 75 percent of Aston Martin Lagonda, Ltd.

      1988

      • December 31 – The highest worldwide earnings (to date) of any automobile company reach $5,300,000,000.

      • 1989

        • December 1 – Ford buys Jaguar Cars for $2,500,000,000.

        1990

        • March 15 – Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle is introduced.

        1992

        • July 1 – Ford purchases 50 % of Mazda Motor Manufacturing – name changes to AutoAlliance International.

        1993

        • June 20 – First Ford dealerships open in China.

        1993

        • April 18 – The Taurus (FVV) multi-fuel powered (ethanol, gasoline or mixtures of both) Flexible-Fuel Vehicle production begins.

        1997

        • August 21 – New York City purchases first natural gas powered taxicabs from Ford.

        1998

        • Lincoln Navigator luxury SUV is introduced.

        2000

        • August – Due to 271 rollover deaths in Ford Explorers, Bridgestone/Firestone recalls 6,500,000 tires.

        2001

        • May – Bridgestone/Firestone claims Ford uses them as a scapegoat and dumps the company as their customer for recalling 13,000,000 more tires.

        • 2003

          • 100th anniversary

          2004

          • Ford introduces its premium sports car the GT.

          2005

          • July 11 – Ford’s Mercury Mariner (gas-electric SUV) hits the marketplace.
          • November 1 – Agreement from Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC to reimburse Ford $240,000,000 to help recover $2,000,000,000 cost for tires recall.
          • December 23 – Transfer of $2,000,000,000 to Jaguar Cars is announced.

          2007

          • SYNC introduced for 2008 vehicles.

          2014

          • Mustang hits its 50-year anniversary.
          Henry Ford’s vision of building easy to operate cars every American could afford may have started as a simple plan, but he is as much of an icon as his cars and trucks are today. Throughout the history of Ford, his ideals have remained standard practice for the company. Today, millions of Ford vehicles owned across the world are still known for their reliability, cost effectiveness, American muscle, luxury, family friendliness and quality cars that are built to withstand time. For such featured car order online ford cover to protect it against hazards, scrathes dust and many more.
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