V-8 INTRODUCED
Ford is the first company in history to successfully cast
a V-8 block in one piece. Henry Ford personally oversees the design and manufacturing of the V-8 engine.
1932
1936 LINCOLN ZEPHYR
The Zephyr is the first mid-priced
car for this brand, costing half that
of previous Lincolns.
1936
MERCURY
DIVISION
FORMED
The Mercury line
is introduced
to fill the gap
between economical Fords
and luxury
Lincolns.
MERCURY EIGHT
The Mercury Eight is the first effort
of Ford’s new in-house design department, and the first car developed from full-size clay models.
1938
build it.
In 1913, Henry Ford changed automaking forever.
With a winch and a rope, he adapted a proven principle — the moving
assembly line — to automotive manufacturing. Ford knew then, as Ford
Motor Company knows now, that if you want to change the world, you
have to step up from business-as-usual. Working closely with various
unions, Ford plants are being rejuvenated around the world.
Look in a Ford plant today and you will find systems that incorporate the
most recent thinking in safety, ergonomics, environmental sustainability,
flexible and lean manufacturing, that produce quality products at low
cost in terms of both money and time.
We’re rolling out the biggest wave of new products in our history, and
using this changeover to bring all our manufacturing systems to new
levels of quality. We will incorporate the newest flexible manufacturing
processes and commonize platforms and components across vehicle
lines. This transformation will allow our plants to change the mix of
products as the market dictates, and convert to new products with
minimal downtime.
Fittingly enough, one of our most flexible facilities will be the new
Dearborn Truck Plant, at the historic Ford Rouge Center, capable of producing nine different models. The renovated Rouge, Ford’s oldest existing
manufacturing complex, will be a physical testament to Ford’s centennial
philosophy—honoring our heritage, but focusing on our future.
Norfolk (Va.) Assembly Plant leads the North American
launch of a new flexible manufacturing system with the
introduction of the 2004 Ford F-Series pickup. The system
divides the body shop into 16 different cells, such as this
Ford Freestyle FX Concept
underbody ladder turntable, operated by Annie Ruth
Chatman. Flexible manufacturing is expected to save
Ford up to $2 billion in North America by 2010.
12
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
The 1941 Continental becomes a
status symbol of the 1940s, praised by
celebrities from author John Steinbeck
to architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
1941
ARSENAL
OF DEMOCRACY
Ford builds its first
general-purpose vehicle
(jeep) for the military.
FIRST UAW-FORD
LABOR AGREEMENT
Ford Motor Company signs
its first labor agreement with
UAW-CIO, covering employees
in North America.
MILITARY PRODUCTION
The company halts production
of civilian vehicles to dedicate
itself to the war effort, turning
out B-24 bombers and engines,
as well as tanks and other
military vehicles.
1942
HENRY FORD II
NAMED PRESIDENT
Henry Ford’s eldest
grandson becomes
president. Henry II’s
brothers, Benson and
William Clay, also
contribute significantly
when they join
the company later.
HENRY FORD
RESUMES
PRESIDENCY
Edsel Ford dies
at age 49;
Henry Ford
resumes the
presidency of Ford Motor
Company through the end of
World War II.
1943
1945
THE WHIZ KIDS
Henry Ford II hires young former U.S. Air Force officers,
nicknamed the Whiz Kids (pictured in the front row),
to revitalize the company.
1946
build it.
We’re not just building better vehicles — we’re building a better planet.
Our project to transform the historic Ford Rouge Center into our most
modern facility is a dramatic embodiment of Ford’s commitment to build
vehicles and components in an environmentally conscientious manner,
and to be a good citizen wherever we conduct business.
Rather than creating a new “greenfield” plant, our “brownfield”
renovation of the Rouge minimizes industrial expansion. And we are
caring for the environment in ways that are kind to our bottom line. The
Rouge’s “living roof” of plant life, for instance, will not only help control
water runoff; it will help passively control the building’s temperature,
and dramatically extend roof life.
We’re building wisely in terms of vehicle materials as well. To help
reduce landfill volume, our vehicles use a remarkable amount of
recycled materials — from computer cases (recycled into vehicle
grilles), to blue jeans (used as a component of under-hood insulation),
to metals, to tires.
We don’t keep these facts to ourselves. Studies show that, all other
things being equal, customers prefer to deal with a company that is a
good corporate citizen, so we continually strive to be that company.
All-New Jaguar XJ
The flexible manufacturing system in place at
the Cologne (Germany) Assembly Plant allows
body shop operators, such as Hans Georg,
simply to reprogram computers, welding and
other robots, and change specific tooling to
accommodate model changeovers quickly.
14
F-1 TRUCK INTRODUCED
Ford F-1 is Ford’s first all-new
vehicle after the war. F-Series
is the most successful vehicle
line in automotive history.
1949 FORD
The ’49 Ford, designed by a new
team assembled by Henry Ford II,
marks the beginning of a new era
of product leadership for Ford.
1948
1949
THE WOODIE
The only station wagons available
in 1949 are this striking woodbodied two-door and a Mercury
version.
MERCURY
The 1950 Mercury is popular with
young car enthusiasts. A Mercury
convertible is the 1950 Indy 500
pace car, driven by Benson Ford.
1950