Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company stands as one of the most iconic names in automotive history and remains a global leader in vehicle manufacturing and mobility solutions. Founded by Henry Ford on June 16, 1903, in Dearborn, Michigan, Ford transformed the automobile industry by making cars affordable and accessible to the masses through revolutionary manufacturing techniques. The company's introduction of the moving assembly line in 1913 reduced production time from over 12 hours to just 93 minutes, fundamentally changing industrial production worldwide.

Today, Ford operates as a multinational corporation with 171,000 employees and generates annual revenue of $185 billion. The company has strategically reorganized into three focused business units: Ford Blue (traditional internal combustion engine vehicles), Ford Model e (electric vehicles), and Ford Pro (commercial vehicles and services). Ford Pro has emerged as a particularly strong profit driver, generating $7.4 billion in operating profit in the first nine months of 2024 with a 14.6% operating margin, demonstrating the company's strength in commercial fleet solutions and connected vehicle technology.

Ford's product lineup spans iconic nameplates including the best-selling F-Series pickup trucks, the legendary Mustang sports car, and innovative electric vehicles like the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E. The F-Series has been America's best-selling truck for decades, with 765,649 units sold in 2024. The company maintains approximately 13% market share in the highly competitive U.S. automotive market, competing primarily against General Motors, Toyota, and Stellantis.

Under the leadership of CEO Jim Farley and Executive Chairman William Clay Ford Jr., the company is investing heavily in electric vehicle technology and sustainable manufacturing. The $5.6 billion Blue Oval City facility in Tennessee represents Ford's commitment to becoming a leader in electric vehicle production, designed to be carbon neutral with zero waste to landfill. Despite challenges in the EV market transition, Ford continues to leverage its strong brand heritage, manufacturing expertise, and commercial vehicle leadership to navigate the industry's transformation.

The Ford family maintains significant influence over the company through a dual-class stock structure that gives them 40% of voting power despite holding only about 2% equity stake. This structure has allowed the family to maintain the company's long-term strategic vision while operating as a publicly-traded company since 1956. Ford's enduring mission is "to help build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams," reflecting the democratic vision Henry Ford established over 120 years ago.