Ford Motor Company or simply Ford Motors, is an American car manufacturer based in Dearborn, Michigan. This company is currently the second largest car manufacturer in the US and ranks as the fifth largest in the world. Aside from its domestic operations, Ford also operates in the markets of South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.
Given its worldwide operations, Ford Motors could be considered as one of the most successful car makers. However, the company's success did not happen overnight. In fact, it took more than 100 years before Ford was able to earn its current status. To provide a clearer picture of the company's development, some of the highlights of Ford's history are provided below.
Ford's Earliest Foundation
Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford. The company was actually established with the help of Henry Ford's acquaintance, Alexander Y. Malcomson, a coal dealer, and Malcomson's uncle, John S. Gray, president of the German-American Bank. To further strengthen the newly established company, Malcomson recruited some of his business partners and urged them to invest. Due to Malcomson's success in recruiting investors, the Ford Motor Company was finally established on June 16, 1903, with 12 investors and 1000 shares. Both Ford and Malcomson owned 255 of these shares, while Gray owned 105. The remaining shares were owned by the other 9 investors.
The first stockholders meeting of the Ford Motor Company happened two days after it was formed. During this meeting, the election of officers happened. Gray became the company's first president, while Ford was elected as vice-president. Under Gray's leadership, the company had started to earn profits. Ford's total profit in October 1, 1903 was calculated to be around $37,000. This profit further increased to $300,000 in 1905.
But, after a few years of smooth operation, the harmonious relationship among investors was broken. Subsequent clashes between them eventually led to separation and Henry Ford's assumption of the presidential position. Under Ford's leadership, the company gradually became the largest car maker in the US.
During the first few years, Ford as a car manufacturer, was involved in developing and producing its first car model, which was called the "Model A." The Model A was powered by a two cylinder internal combustion engine, capable of producing 8 horsepower. Ford had sold a total of 1,750 units from 1903 to 1904. The impressive sales record obtained by the Model A marked the first successes of Henry Ford's business. However, this model was eventually replaced by the Model C in 1904.
The Ford Model C was actually a refined version of the Model A, with a sportier look and more powerful engine. Ford discontinued the production of the Model C in 1905 with a total of 800 units produced. This model was replaced by the Model F in 1905. In 1906, Ford developed its first six-cylinder powered vehicle and called it the Model K. This was a replacement for the earlier Model B. The Model K was powered by an in-line 6-cylinder engine that produced up to 40 horsepower. Despite its powerful engine, the Model K was considered a failure due to its expensive price and poor quality. Its production had reached its end in 1908. Ford then focused its attention on producing a succeeding model, which was the Model S. However, the demands for the Model S were not so impressive. As a result Ford then introduced the "Model T".
Ford's Model T or the T-Model Ford is the company's first affordable vehicle and at the same time one of the most in demand models. Its production started on August 12, 1908, with its first unit leaving the company's assembly line September 27, 1908. The Model T started to establish its iconic image in the automotive market. Since it was affordable and middle-class Americans were capable of buying this car, the demand for the model increased. The 15 millionth unit of the Model T left the company's factory on May 26, 1927. Production of the Model T continued until the end of the same year. After the overwhelming success of the Model T, Ford had produced a lot more models. Some of these were very successful, while several other models failed.
Given its worldwide operations, Ford Motors could be considered as one of the most successful car makers. However, the company's success did not happen overnight. In fact, it took more than 100 years before Ford was able to earn its current status. To provide a clearer picture of the company's development, some of the highlights of Ford's history are provided below.
Ford's Earliest Foundation
Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford. The company was actually established with the help of Henry Ford's acquaintance, Alexander Y. Malcomson, a coal dealer, and Malcomson's uncle, John S. Gray, president of the German-American Bank. To further strengthen the newly established company, Malcomson recruited some of his business partners and urged them to invest. Due to Malcomson's success in recruiting investors, the Ford Motor Company was finally established on June 16, 1903, with 12 investors and 1000 shares. Both Ford and Malcomson owned 255 of these shares, while Gray owned 105. The remaining shares were owned by the other 9 investors.
The first stockholders meeting of the Ford Motor Company happened two days after it was formed. During this meeting, the election of officers happened. Gray became the company's first president, while Ford was elected as vice-president. Under Gray's leadership, the company had started to earn profits. Ford's total profit in October 1, 1903 was calculated to be around $37,000. This profit further increased to $300,000 in 1905.
But, after a few years of smooth operation, the harmonious relationship among investors was broken. Subsequent clashes between them eventually led to separation and Henry Ford's assumption of the presidential position. Under Ford's leadership, the company gradually became the largest car maker in the US.
During the first few years, Ford as a car manufacturer, was involved in developing and producing its first car model, which was called the "Model A." The Model A was powered by a two cylinder internal combustion engine, capable of producing 8 horsepower. Ford had sold a total of 1,750 units from 1903 to 1904. The impressive sales record obtained by the Model A marked the first successes of Henry Ford's business. However, this model was eventually replaced by the Model C in 1904.
The Ford Model C was actually a refined version of the Model A, with a sportier look and more powerful engine. Ford discontinued the production of the Model C in 1905 with a total of 800 units produced. This model was replaced by the Model F in 1905. In 1906, Ford developed its first six-cylinder powered vehicle and called it the Model K. This was a replacement for the earlier Model B. The Model K was powered by an in-line 6-cylinder engine that produced up to 40 horsepower. Despite its powerful engine, the Model K was considered a failure due to its expensive price and poor quality. Its production had reached its end in 1908. Ford then focused its attention on producing a succeeding model, which was the Model S. However, the demands for the Model S were not so impressive. As a result Ford then introduced the "Model T".
Ford's Model T or the T-Model Ford is the company's first affordable vehicle and at the same time one of the most in demand models. Its production started on August 12, 1908, with its first unit leaving the company's assembly line September 27, 1908. The Model T started to establish its iconic image in the automotive market. Since it was affordable and middle-class Americans were capable of buying this car, the demand for the model increased. The 15 millionth unit of the Model T left the company's factory on May 26, 1927. Production of the Model T continued until the end of the same year. After the overwhelming success of the Model T, Ford had produced a lot more models. Some of these were very successful, while several other models failed.
