Ford

Ford

Ford Company Value (Market Cap) End of Year

All figures are $USDand xBillion

History & Development

Early Years (1903-1913) Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford with $28,000 in cash from twelve investors, including John and Horace Dodge who later founded their own company. The first Model T was introduced in 1908, revolutionizing assembly-line modes of production for affordable products. Over 15 million Model Ts were manufactured, with many sold through a network of company-owned dealerships for a base price of $850. By 1919, half of all cars in America were Model Ts. Growth Years (1914-1945) In 1914, Henry Ford introduced the $5 per day wage for skilled workers, more than double the going rate at the time. This allowed many Americans to buy their first car and increased employee retention. Ford introduced the first moving assembly line for automobiles in 1913, revolutionizing manufacturing processes. Ford's River Rouge Plant opened in 1928 with integrated manufacturing to increase efficiency. Through the 1920s, Ford continued leading the low-priced field with the Model T until it was replaced by the successful Model A in 1927. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Ford lost over $60 million before recovery began in 1935 with the introduction of the Lincoln-Zephyr.

Postwar Era (1946-1979) After World War II, Ford struggled initially with labor issues like the 1949 Ford strike which lasted 104 days. However, the company soon introduced popular cars like the Thunderbird in 1955 and the Mustang in 1964. Through the 1960s, Ford attempted to keep up with changing markets but struggled with quality issues and high costs. Rising fuel prices in the 1970s hurt sales of Ford's larger cars like the Ford LTD. In 1979, Ford replaced its full-size lineup with smaller and lighter models. Modern Era (1980-Present) In the 1980s, Ford introduced successful vehicles like the Ford Taurus and new aerodynamic body styles. Ford acquired luxury brands like Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover and Aston Martin between 1989 and 2008, expanding its portfolio. The company faced major financial troubles in the early 2000s, borrowing over $23 billion. However, a restructuring plan allowed Ford to return to profitability by 2009 without taking a government bailout. Recent years have seen the introduction of new models like the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicle in 2020. As of 2023, Ford is the second-largest U.S.-based automaker and the fifth-largest in the world based on vehicle sales. The company continues looking towards new technologies like autonomous driving and electric vehicles.

Ford Annual Revenue by Year

All figures are $USD and xBillion

Ford Annual Vehicle Sales by Year

All figures are xMillion