INTRODUCTION
A. Corporate Background
Ford Motor Company, American automotive corporation founded in 1903 by Henry Ford and 11 associate investors. Henry Ford built his first experimental car (Quadricycle) in a workshop behind his home in Detroit in 1896. After formation of the Ford Motor Company, the first Ford car (model A) was assembled in July 1903. By October 1 of the same year, Ford Motor Company turned profit of $37,000. Five years later, in 1908, the highly successful Model T was introduced. Demand for this car was so great that Ford developed new mass-production methods in order to manufacture it in sufficient quantities. In 1913, he introduced the world’s first moving assembly line for cars; and in 1914, to further improve labor productivity, he introduced the $5 daily wage for an eight-hour day (replacing $2.34 for a nine-hour day). In 1919, the company was reincorporated, with Ford, his wife, Clara, and his son, Edsel, acquiring full ownership. They, their heirs, and the Ford Foundation (formed 1936) were sole stockholders until January 1956, when public sale of the common stock was first offered.
The company’s first international sales branch opened in Paris in 1908. By mid-1914 there were more than 500,000 Model Ts on the roads of the world; by 1923 the company was producing more than half of America’s automobiles; and, by the end of the 1920s, Ford had more than 20 overseas assembly plants in Europe, Latin America, Canada, Asia, South Africa, and Australia.
The automobile industry put American citizens into action. Mass production was a big component in the success of automobiles. Although successful, it became very repetitive. Skilled workers who were once worshipped, were no longer needed. Henry Ford was described as racist, bitter, but he brought success to citizens in the 1920s. Ford started the Ford Motor Company in 1903 with the help of a limited amount of workers in a shed. It was not until 1914 where custom-made cars turned into many cars, such as the Model T, moving down an assembly line. The Model T was a very popular car that benefitted cheap labor and easy mobility for its owners. Ford became a billionaire from the help of the federal government’s actions. At this point, the government decided that funds should be spent more on roads. Automobiles introduced
In 1903 the Ford Motor Company was incorporated after two unsuccessful attempts. Henry Ford was the vice-president and the chief engineer. The company started out only making a few cars a day at the Ford factory, with two or three men working on a car at a time and having to use parts made to order from other companies.2
The automobile industry made owning an automobile more available to the public. Factories began producing cars in higher numbers than one craftsman would ever be able to. “The first automotive production on a commercial scale began in France in 1980, but the United States in the 1900’s became equal to the European automobile factories. The Europeans used engineering and handcraft methods, while the U.S. had plants that used the assembly line” (The History). Frank Duryea of Springfield, Massachusetts developed the first gasoline powered automobile in the United States, and over the next twenty years 8 million cars were manufactured and sold (Clayton 501). On the other hand, Henry Ford’s first working gasoline engine was completed at the end of 1843, and “by 1896, he had completed his first horseless carriage, the Quadricycle, so called because the chassis of the four- horsepower vehicle was a buggy frame mounted on four bicycle wheels” (Curley 165). Ford revolutionized factory production with his assembly line methods (Curly 163). The assembly line remained hard on laborers, required them to perform routinely repetitive tasks for hours on end. To retain workers, Henry Ford paid workers five dollars a day, and employees only work eight hour days. Mass production techniques rapidly increased worker productivity and output, allowing more cars to be made and to sell for less money. By the 1920’s, the number of registered vehicles rose over fifteen million, because of Henry Ford’s assembly line, which made manufacturing automobiles more time efficient and less costly, making automobiles less expensive. In 1929, Ford, who was one of Thomas Edison’s greatest admirers, asked him to design a battery for a self-starter, to be introduced on the Model T, which was Ford’s car for the common man (Curley 139). At the time of his death in 1947, Henry Ford’s
Ford Motor Company, American automotive corporation founded in 1903 by Henry Ford and 11 associate investors. (htt28) It is the multinational corporation and the world's third largest automaker based on worldwide vehicle sales. The Company operates in two segments: Automotive and Financial Services. Automotive includes Ford North America, Ford South America, Ford Europe, and Ford Asia Pacific Africa region. Financial services include Ford Motor Credit Company and Other Financial Service. The Company manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. Its automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. Other Financial Services includes a range of businesses, including holding companies and real
Henry's dream of the automobile started with the production of his first auto, on June fourth 1896, the primitive auto was named the quadracycle. Not exactly a modern auto the Quadracycle was reminiscent to a babbycarrige on bicycle wheels but was a start to Ford's empire and the development of the automobile for the people. Many saw Henry's potential and helped him to find a successor to the Quadracycle; one such person was the Mayor of Detroit, William Mayburg who provided financial support to Ford to continue his research. Generous investors such as this and the help of four investors donating 10,000 dollars each led to the official founding of the Ford Motor Co. in 1901.
In 1903 Henry Ford felt he was ready to market an automobile for the public and the Ford Motor Company was incorporated, this time with only $28,000 in cash put up by a new group of investors. That original investment was spent down to $300 before the company’s first car was sold, but from that time on the company was a success.
Ford is one of the most honorable automobile manufacturers in the world today. Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 - April 7, 1847), founded this prestigious company in 1903. In the year of 1908, he made the Ford model T car, and developed an assembly line as a means of production. This development revolutionized the industry, and allowed Ford to be able to sell millions of automobiles and become known all across the world. This company has impacted so many families' lives by giving them a great means of transportation and a product that will be trusted. However, investors need to understand companies as much as possible because strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats arise within every industry. In some areas, ratings may be higher than others.
In 1896, Ford constructed his first model for a horseless carriage, the Ford Quadricycle. After attending a meeting with executives and proposing automobile ideas, Thomas Edison encouraged to build another model. Seven years later, after continuing to strive for improvement, Ford established the Ford Motor Company and his first car was assembled. Back then, only two or three cars were produced in one day, and it took the effort of groups of men. Ford wanted a more efficient production assembly, and that was when the Model T was born. Ford created the system of paying workers a steady wage to guarantee their loyalty, and moving assembly lines for mass production, which included interchangeable parts. This idea of efficiency revolutionized the American
Henry Ford passion and interest in the field of engineering and mechanics lead to creation of Ford motor. First step by Henry Ford in this regard was the development of automotive mechanic in 1899. In 1899 he founded the Detroit automobile company. After this first step by him he established Ford motor in 1903. At the time of creation of Ford motor there already exists 87 different companies with different brands in US. Henry Ford established Ford motors with a new and different vision. That differentiate vision was the cultural impact of automobiles on the society. He came with this idea and position the brand in this way to differentiate Ford from existing brands. He positioned the brand by convincing consumers that car is an affordable item than a luxury one. He entered into market with a strategy of mass production, improved and use of latest technology, effective supply chain and changing life style. He introduced the motto “Help the other fellow” which creates a friendly working environment among the employees and motivates employees to implement the concept of team work (Ford.com, 2014)
Henry Ford was an engineer from Detroit, Michigan who had an idea. By 1902, Ford had attempted several times to produce a gas powered vehicle, but with little capital, he realized that his attempts were futile. Ford approached a man by the name of Alexander T. Malcomson about the possibility of manufacturing an automobile. Malcomson, a friend of the family and wealthy coal merchant was reluctant at first but finally agreed with Ford, and decided to assit Ford financially with his endeavor. With Malcomsons investment and Ford's engineering skills a partnership was formed and in mid June of 1903, papers of incorporation for the Ford Motor Company were filed in Dearborn, Michigan.
Ford Motor Company is an American automobile manufacturer founded and headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan but incorporated in the state of Delaware. The company was started by Henry Ford in 1903 and is historically famous for the creation and implementation of the assembly line in manufacturing processes. Ford’s mission is to produce and sell automobiles – cars, trucks, SUVs, etc – from the ones initially designed and engineered by Henry Ford all the way through the newer versions created in the last few years. (Profitable Growth for All, 2012)
Henry Ford’s legacy began early whenever he created a self propelled wagon, but his work began to get notoriety in October of 1908 with the introduction of the Model T. This car was the first of its kind, and was fully manufactured by Ford in the United States. Henry’s goal was to produce a car that was affordable to every household income. “The Model T made its debut in 1908 with a purchase price of $825.00. Over ten thousand were sold in its first year, establishing a new record. Four years later the price dropped to $575.00 and sales soared. By 1914, Ford could claim a 48% share of the automobile market.” (Sorenson, "Henry Ford Changes the World, 1908.") The original price was in the average household’s budget, but when the price dropped four years later there was a ten times increase in the amount of Model T’s sold. Another great idol in the worlds eyes began his trek to success one century later, and has innovated his industry such as Ford did. Steve Jobs, “The Father of Apple Inc.”,
Founded in 1903, Henry Ford managed to get investor support to open the first manufacturing automobile company in Detroit, Michigan. Ford Motor Company has been known for its mass production of vehicles using a perfected assembly line method and its innovations in the automobile industry. Ford’s famous Model-T was developed as an innovative automobile that could be produced quickly, while keeping the cost to a minimum. This allowed people with a lower income the opportunity to afford an automobile. One of the biggest changes in the automobile industry occurred in 1913 with the introduction of a perfected assembly line method. This assembly line method was the one of the main reasons Ford Motor Company was able to keep the cost of vehicles and the production time to a minimum. Ford also took the first step to increase wages of their employees above the industry standard. Although it was still a very low value, Ford offered $5 per day which was a huge improvement from the $2.34 per day that most companies offered.
The Ford Motor Company is one of the most largest and profitable U.S. automakers in the world. Today the company headquarters operates in the Motor City, located in Dearborn, Michigan. The Ford Corporation was found by Henry Ford back in 1903, after a disagreement with his financial investors. He then decided to pursue his passion for owning his own business. The Ford Company designs and manufactures durable automobiles, automotive components, and systems. This corporation is still the longest family ran company in the world, after 11 decades. Ford automaker distribute vehicles over 6 different continents which include: North America, Europe, South America, The Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Ford is ranked # 8 on the Forbes 100 list, and makes net income of over 144 billion dollars a year in revenue sales.
Ford Motor Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1919. They acquired the business of a Michigan company, also known as Ford Motor Company, which had been incorporated in 1903 to produce and sell automobiles designed and engineered by Henry Ford. They are one of the world’s largest producers of cars and trucks. They and their subsidiaries also engage in other businesses, including financing vehicles.