Historic Dates and Events 1863 - 1963
|
Year
|
Date
|
Event/Milestone
|
|
1863
|
July 30
|
Henry Ford born on a
Springwells Township farm, near Dearborn, Michigan.
|
|
1896
|
June 4
|
Henry Ford completes his
first car, the Quadricycle, in a shed behind his home at 58 Bagley Ave.,
Detroit, and takes it for a drive in the middle of the night.
|
|
1903
|
June 16
|
Henry Ford and 11
investors sign the Articles of incorporation for his car company. The
cars would be built in a converted wagon factory on Mack Avenue in
Detroit.
|
|
1903
|
June 17
|
Articles of incorporation
for the formation of the Ford Motor Company are filed with the State of
Michigan in Lansing.
|
|
1903
|
July 20
|
Ford Motor Company sells
its first car, a Model A, to a Detroit physician.
|
|
1904
|
Aug. 17
|
Ford Motor Company of
Canada, Ltd., receives its Provincial Charter to do business in
Walkerville, Ontario, near Windsor.
|
|
1906
|
Oct. 22
|
Henry Ford succeeds John
Gray as company president; acquires majority of stock.
|
|
1908
|
Oct. 1
|
Ford introduces the Model
T (destined to be one of the world's most popular cars).
|
|
1908
|
Oct. 1
|
First overseas sales
branch opens in Paris, France.
|
|
1909
|
Oct. 1
|
Sales company opens in
London, England.
|
|
1911
|
Oct. 1
|
Ford opens assembly plant
in Manchester, England, its first outside North America.
|
|
1913
|
Sept. 25
|
Contract signed to sell
Model T in China.
|
|
1913
|
Oct. 1
|
Contracts signed to sell
Model T in Indonesia, Siam and Dutch East Indies.
|
|
1913
|
Oct. 7
|
World's first moving
automobile assembly line begins operation at Ford's Highland Park
(Michigan) Plant.
|
|
1913
|
Dec. 31
|
Sales operations begin in
Sao Paulo, Brazil.
|
|
1914
|
Jan. 5
|
$5 pay for eight-hour day
announced at Model T Plant in Highland Park (replacing $2.34 for nine
hours); attracts thousands of job applicants.
|
|
1915
|
Dec. 10
|
One-millionth Ford car
built.
|
|
1916
|
June 1
|
Ford establishes
Automobiles Ford (France) and announces plans to build an assembly plant
in Bordeaux.
|
|
1917
|
July 27
|
Ford introduces its first
truck, the Model TT.
|
|
1917
|
Sept. 4
|
Henry Ford II born to
Eleanor and Edsel Ford.
|
|
1917
|
Oct. 8
|
Fordson, world's first
mass-produced tractor, begins production in Dearborn.
|
|
1918
|
Jan. 4
|
Construction of massive
Rouge automotive manufacturing complex begins.
|
|
1919
|
Jan. 1
|
Edsel Ford succeeds Henry
Ford as company president.
|
|
1919
|
July 9
|
Present-day Ford Motor
Company incorporated in Delaware.
|
|
1922
|
Jan. 30
|
Ford of Belgium founded in
Antwerp.
|
|
1922
|
Feb. 4
|
Ford buys Lincoln Motor
Company for $8 million.
|
|
1923
|
Jan. 27
|
Ford Italiana Spa
established, with an assembly plant in Trieste.
|
|
1924
|
June 4
|
Ten-millionth Ford car
built.
|
|
1924
|
Aug. 5
|
First public tours of
Rouge facilities.
|
|
1925
|
Feb. 17
|
Ford Japan formed;
vehicles to be built from imported components.
|
|
1925
|
Mar. 14
|
Birth of William Clay
Ford.
|
|
1925
|
Aug. 18
|
Ford Motor Co.
Aktiengesellschaft is founded in Berlin for the import of cars and
tractors.
|
|
1926
|
Sept. 28
|
Sales branch opens in
Alexandria, Egypt.
|
|
1926
|
|
Parts depot and assembly
operation set up in Berlin. Eight days later, the first Model T
assembled in Germany comes off the lines.
|
|
1927
|
Feb. 10
|
First radio-range guidance
of Tri-Motor plane.
|
|
1927
|
May 26
|
Henry and Edsel Ford drive
15-millionth Model T off assembly line at Highland Park, officially
ending Model T production. Production in England ends on Aug. 19; in
Ireland on Dec. 31. Total world production of Model T: 15,458,781.
|
|
1927
|
Oct. 27
|
Production of new Model A
begins at Rouge Assembly Plant.
|
|
1927
|
Dec. 2
|
New Model A introduced in
North America.
|
|
1928
|
Dec. 7
|
Ford of Britain (Ford
Motor Company Ltd.) formed to centralize Ford activities in Europe.
|
|
1929
|
Oct. 21
|
Henry Ford and Thomas
Edison dedicate the Edison Institute in Dearborn, Michigan, on the 50th
anniversary of the discovery of the electric light.
|
|
1930
|
Oct. 2
|
Henry Ford lays the
foundation stone for the Cologne plant on a 68-acre site in the Niehl
district.
|
|
1931
|
April 14
|
Ford builds its
20-millionth car.
|
|
1931
|
April 15
|
Ford closes Berlin plant.
|
|
1931
|
Oct. 1
|
Production begins at
Ford's Dagenham, England, plant, Europe's largest factory.
|
|
1932
|
Feb. 19
|
Ford launches its first
car designed specifically for Europe, the Model Y, starting in England.
|
|
1932
|
Mar. 9
|
Ford builds its first V-8
vehicle.
|
|
1933
|
June 7
|
Last of 199 Ford Tri-Motor
planes built.
|
|
1933
|
June 12
|
Edison Institute (now
called Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village) opens to the public
in Dearborn.
|
|
1936
|
Jan. 17
|
Henry and Edsel Ford
establish Ford Foundation, fund it with company stock.
|
|
1936
|
May 16
|
Ford Rotunda opens in
Dearborn. Built for 1933-34 Chicago World's Fair, took 18 mos. To
dismantle and rebuild as visitor center.
|
|
1937
|
Jan. 18
|
Ford builds its
25-millionth car.
|
|
1938
|
Oct. 6
|
Mercury line introduced by
Ford.
|
|
1938
|
|
A car is built at Cologne
every three minutes. The plant operates at full capacity.
|
|
1939
|
April 30
|
N.Y. World's Fair opens;
Ford Exposition building gives visitors a ride on the "Road of
Tomorrow."
|
|
1939
|
Oct. 3
|
Lincoln Continental
introduced.
|
|
1941
|
Mar. 1
|
Ford builds first general
purpose (G.P., or "jeep") vehicle for U.S. military at Rouge
Plant.
|
|
1941
|
June 20
|
UAW-CIO & Ford agree
to first closed-shop contract.
|
|
1942
|
Feb. 1
|
World War II halts
civilian car output; Ford shifts to total military production.
|
|
1943
|
May 26
|
Edsel Ford dies at age 49.
|
|
1943
|
June 1
|
Henry Ford re-elected
company president.
|
|
1944
|
Jan. 22
|
Henry Ford II elected vice
president.
|
|
1944
|
April 10
|
Henry Ford II elected
executive vice president.
|
|
1945
|
June 28
|
Last B-24 Liberator bomber
built at Willow Run Plant. (Ford built 8,600 bombers, 278,000 jeeps and
57,000 aircraft engines.)
|
|
1945
|
July 3
|
Ford resumes production of
civilian vehicles.
|
|
1945
|
Sept. 21
|
Henry Ford II named
company president.
|
|
1945
|
Oct. 22
|
Lincoln-Mercury Division
is established. With the war over, Mercury is slowly resuming production
with 1942 models. By year's end, Mercury production total is 2,848
vehicles.
|
|
1946
|
July 1
|
Ernest Breech named vice
president of the company.
|
|
1947
|
April 7
|
Henry Ford dies at age 83
at Fair Lane, his estate in Dearborn.
|
|
1948
|
Jan. 30
|
Benson Ford elected a
company vice president and general manager of Lincoln-Mercury Division.
|
|
1948
|
April 26
|
Production begins on
1949-model Ford, first new postwar design.
|
|
1948
|
June 3
|
William Clay Ford elected
a director.
|
|
1949
|
|
A special version of the
Taunus and a so-called rapid truck are launched.
|
|
1950
|
|
The export of German Ford
vehicles is resumed.
|
|
1950
|
August
|
One-millionth Mercury, one
of 293,658 automobiles manufactured by the division this year, rolls off
the line.
|
|
1950
|
Sept. 7
|
Cost-of-living salary
adjustment (COLA) plan for hourly and salaried employees announced.
|
|
1951
|
|
Ford produces its first
cars with Ford-made automatic transmissions; the Merc-O-Matic is offered
in the Mercury Monterey. The division manufactures a total of 310,387
cars for the year, but material limitations due to the Korean War begin
to affect production.
|
|
1951
|
|
In Frankfurt, Ford takes
part in the first International Motor Show (IAA) since the war.
|
|
1952
|
Aug. 31
|
Henry Ford Trade School
closes after 35 years.
|
|
1952
|
Oct. 9
|
William Clay Ford named
general manager of Special Products Operations.
|
|
1953
|
May 7
|
Ford Archives dedicated at
Fair Lane (former Henry Ford Estate).
|
|
1953
|
May 20
|
Research & Engineering
Center in Dearborn dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower via
closed-circuit television from the White House.
|
|
1953
|
June 16
|
Ford Rotunda, closed to
the public during World War II, reopens for the company's 50th
anniversary.
|
|
1953
|
Sept. 29
|
Groundbreaking ceremony
for the 12-story World Headquarters building in Dearborn.
|
|
1954
|
Oct. 22
|
Ford introduces
Thunderbird.
|
|
1955
|
Jan. 25
|
Ernest Breech elected
board chairman.
|
|
1955
|
April 15
|
Separate Lincoln and
Mercury divisions established; Special Products Operations becomes a
division.
|
|
1955
|
June 8
|
Ford adopts Supplemental
Employment Benefits (SUB) program.
|
|
1955
|
Oct. 4
|
Continental Mark II
introduced.
|
|
1956
|
Jan. 17
|
Sale of Ford common stock
begins.
|
|
1956
|
|
Ford buys a planned plant
site in Wulfrath, Germany.
|
|
1956
|
Feb. 1
|
Savings & Stock
Investment Program (SSIP) initiated for all eligible salaried employees.
|
|
1956
|
Sept. 26
|
New Central Office
Building dedicated at Michigan Avenue and Southfield Roads, in Dearborn;
later renamed Ford World Headquarters; in 1996, HQ and Ford Credit
complex renamed Henry Ford II World Center.
|
|
1957
|
Aug. 31
|
Lincoln and Mercury
divisions recombined.
|
|
1957
|
Sept. 4
|
Public introduction of
Edsel, new medium-priced car.
|
|
1958
|
January
|
Mercury, Lincoln and Edsel
divisions are joined to form M-E-L (Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln) Division.
|
|
1959
|
April 29
|
Fifty-millionth vehicle
built.
|
|
1959
|
Aug. 24
|
Ford Motor Credit Company
formed.
|
|
1959
|
Nov. 19
|
Ford announces it will
discontinue Edsel car line. Lincoln-Mercury Division is re-formed.
|
|
1960
|
Mar. 17
|
Ford introduces Mercury
Comet, first upscale compact car.
|
|
1960
|
July 13
|
Ernest Breech resigns as
board chairman, is succeeded by Henry Ford II, who also remains
president.
|
|
1960
|
Sept. 29
|
Ford Econoline series,
including van, pickup and station wagon bus, introduced.
|
|
1960
|
Nov. 9
|
Robert McNamara elected
company president.
|
|
1960
|
Dec. 12
|
President John F. Kennedy
names Robert McNamara as secretary of defense; McNamara resigns as Ford
president.
|
|
1961
|
Jan. 1
|
Henry Ford II resumes
duties as company president.
|
|
1961
|
April 12
|
John Dykstra elected
company president.
|
|
1961
|
April 18
|
Ford Parts Division formed
(MOTORCRAFT).
|
|
1961
|
Oct. 3
|
UAW calls first
company-wide strike against Ford (ends Oct. 20 with a three-year
contract).
|
|
1961
|
Oct. 12
|
Ford Fairlane introduced.
|
|
1961
|
Dec. 11
|
Ford acquires Philco
Corporation.
|
|
1962
|
July 2
|
Thirty-millionth V-8
engine produced.
|
|
1962
|
Nov. 9
|
Fire destroys Ford
Rotunda. (Total visitor attendance since opening in Dearborn in 1936:
18,019,340.)
|
|
1963
|
Jan. 7
|
Sixty-millionth vehicle
produced.
|
|
1963
|
May 1
|
Arjay Miller elected
company president.
|
Historic Dates and Events 1964 - 1984
|
Year |
Date |
Event/Milestone |
|
1964
|
|
A new body plant for the
Taunus 20M becomes operational in Cologne.
|
|
1964
|
April 17
|
Ford Mustang introduced.
|
|
1964
|
April 22
|
Ford exhibit, featuring
Walt Disney's Magic Skyway Ride, opens at New York World's Fair.
|
|
1965
|
May 25
|
Mission Control Center in
Houston, designed and largely equipped by Ford's Philco subsidiary, is
announced.
|
|
1965
|
May 30
|
Lotus-Ford racer wins
Indianapolis 500.
|
|
1966
|
Mar. 2
|
One-millionth Mustang
built in less than two years from start of production.
|
|
1966
|
Sept. 30
|
Mercury Cougar introduced
as "America's first luxury/sports car at a popular price."
Motor Trend names Cougar the 1967 Car of the Year.
|
|
1967
|
Mar. 8
|
Ford dedicates new
Automotive Safety Research Center and Service Research Center.
|
|
1967
|
June 14
|
Ford of Europe established
to coordinate development manufacture and sale of cars and trucks in
Europe and Africa.
|
|
1967
|
May 3
|
Seventy-millionth
U.S.-built vehicle produced.
|
|
1967
|
Sept. 6
|
UAW launches company-wide
strike (ends Oct. 22).
|
|
1968
|
Feb. 6
|
Semon Knudsen elected
company president; Arjay Miller becomes vice chairman of the board.
|
|
1968
|
Mar. 25
|
One-millionth Lincoln
Continental built.
|
|
1968
|
April 5
|
Continental Mark III
introduced.
|
|
1969
|
April 17
|
Ford Maverick introduced.
Lincoln-Mercury introduces the European-built Capri at New York Auto
Show.
|
|
1969
|
Sept. 11
|
Senior management
reorganized -- Henry Ford II, chairman; Lee Iacocca, president - Ford
North American Automotive Operations; Robert Stevenson, president - Ford
International Automotive Operations; Robert Hampson, president - Ford
Non-Automotive Operations.
|
|
1969
|
Dec. 10
|
Company announces plans to
develop 2,300 acres in Dearborn for commercial-residential use.
|
|
1970
|
|
The five millionth
transmission is produced at the cologne plant.
|
|
1970
|
|
Henry Ford II opens the
Saarlouis plant where Escort production begins.
|
|
1970
|
April 12
|
Henry Ford II goes to
Russia for a series of automotive industry discussions.
|
|
1970
|
Aug. 4
|
Ford Motor Land
Development Co. incorporated in Delaware as a wholly owned subsidiary.
|
|
1970
|
Aug. 17
|
Asia-Pacific Auto
Operations established.
|
|
1970
|
Sept. 11
|
Ford Pinto introduced.
|
|
1970
|
Dec. 10
|
Lee Iacocca elected
company president.
|
|
1971
|
April 12
|
Customer Service Division
formed.
|
|
1972
|
May 22
|
Henry Ford II and
architect John Portman announce major office and hotel development on
Detroit's riverfront (later named Renaissance Center).
|
|
1972
|
May 24
|
Ford Fiera introduced
(produced in Philippines for Asia-Pacific Markets).
|
|
1972
|
Dec. 19
|
Ford Lio Ho Motor Company
established to assemble automobiles and manufacture engines in Taiwan.
|
|
1973
|
|
The six millionth engine
is produced in Cologne.
|
|
1973
|
|
The one millionth Capri
built in Saarlouis.
|
|
1973
|
Sept. 21
|
Ford Mustang II
introduced.
|
|
1974
|
|
Ford becomes the first
German manufacturer to double the warranty period for all cars to twelve
months or 20,000 kilometers.
|
|
1974
|
Jan. 7
|
Edsel Ford II joins the
company as product analyst.
|
|
1974
|
July 29
|
Hyatt Regency Dearborn
Hotel, part of new Fairlane Town Center
development, has "topping out" ceremony.
|
|
1974
|
Aug. 5
|
Ford Guest Center opens on
the 50th anniversary of Rouge plant tours.
|
|
1975
|
June 20
|
"Topping out"
ceremonies held for first of four 39-story- office towers in Detroit's
new Renaissance Center.
|
|
1976
|
Mar. 11
|
Marian Heiskell becomes
first woman elected to the board; (retires May 1, 1989).
|
|
1976
|
|
A new industry standard,
the retractable safety belt restraint system is placed in the Mercury
Bobcat. A snarling cougar head is introduced as the new Cougar emblem.
|
|
1976
|
Sept. 3
|
New Ford Fiesta introduced
in Europe; starting in Germany.
|
|
1976
|
|
Ford produces its one
millionth Transit in Germany.
|
|
1976
|
Oct. 19
|
Eleanor Clay Ford, widow
of Edsel Ford, dies at age 80.
|
|
1976
|
Oct. 25
|
Henry Ford II dedicates
new manufacturing complex at Valencia, Spain; King Juan Carlos in
attendance.
|
|
1977
|
April 14
|
Three-member Office of the
Chief Executive established: Henry Ford II continues as chairman and
chief executive officer; Lee Iacocca continues as president and is
designated chief operating officer; Philip Caldwell is named vice
chairman, a new position.
|
|
1977
|
April 15
|
Henry Ford II presides at
dedication of Renaissance Center.
|
|
1977
|
Oct. 8
|
Ford Fairmont and Mercury
Zephyr introduced.
|
|
1977
|
Oct. 15
|
CL-9000 line-haul diesel
truck goes on sale.
|
|
1978
|
June 8
|
Philip Caldwell becomes
deputy chief executive officer; William Clay Ford becomes chairman of
Executive Committee and member of the Office of the Chief Executive.
|
|
1978
|
June 16
|
Ford Motor Company marks
its 75th anniversary with observances at World Headquarters and around
the globe.
|
|
1978
|
July 27
|
Benson Ford, director and
vice president, dies.
|
|
1978
|
Sept. 14
|
Philip Caldwell elected
company president.
|
|
1978
|
Sept. 28
|
Henry Ford II and David
Rockefeller announce Phase Two of Renaissance Center.
|
|
1978
|
Oct. 15
|
Lee Iacocca leaves
company.
|
|
1978
|
Dec. 14
|
One-hundred-fifty-millionth
vehicle built.
|
|
1979
|
Oct. 1
|
Henry Ford II resigns as
chief executive officer; Philip Caldwell succeeds him.
|
|
1979
|
Oct. 15
|
William Clay Ford Jr.
joins the company as product planning analyst.
|
|
1980
|
Feb. 7
|
Ford Engineering Computer
Center dedicated in Dearborn.
|
|
1980
|
Mar. 13
|
Philip Caldwell succeeds
Henry Ford II as board chairman; Donald Petersen elected company
president and chief operating officer.
|
|
1980
|
July 24
|
Company dedicates Batavia
(Ohio) Transmission Plant.
|
|
1980
|
Aug. 11
|
Ford's "World
Cars" -- 1981 Ford Escort and Mercury Lynx -- launched.
|
|
1980
|
Sept. 3
|
New European Escort
introduced.
|
|
1980
|
Sept. 30
|
Ford announces plans for
performance-oriented Special Vehicle Operations.
|
|
1981
|
|
The two millionth Fiesta
comes off the Cologne assembly lines.
|
|
1981
|
April 9
|
Diversified Products
Technical Center dedicated in Dearborn.
|
|
1981
|
June 15
|
Essex Engine Plant in
Windsor (Ontario, Canada) dedicated.
|
|
1981
|
Dec. 10
|
Rouge Steel Company
subsidiary formed.
|
|
1981
|
Dec. 18
|
Ford and Mazda establish
Autorama, joint venture distribution channel for Ford products in Japan.
|
|
1982
|
Feb. 13
|
Ford and UAW reach
historic agreement encompassing innovative labor-management concepts.
|
|
1982
|
Mar. 12
|
Ford Ranger introduced.
|
|
1982
|
Sept. 28
|
Ford Chairman Philip
Caldwell and UAW President Douglas Fraser break ground for new UAW-Ford
National Development and Training Center in Dearborn.
|
|
1982
|
Oct. 1
|
Henry Ford II retires as
company officer and employee.
|
|
1982
|
|
Ford introduces the Escort
convertible in Germany.
|
|
1983
|
Mar. 10
|
Bronco II introduced.
|
|
1983
|
May 26
|
Ford Tempo and Mercury
Topaz introduced.
|
|
1983
|
July 22
|
Ford Orion introduced in
Europe.
|
|
1983
|
Oct. 14
|
Ford acquires 30 percent
equity interest in its dealer- assembler in Otosan, Turkey.
|
|
1983
|
Dec. 9
|
Ford/Cosworth Engineering
Ltd. partnership formed to produce new Grand Prix racing engine.
|
|
1983
|
Dec. 17
|
Continental Mark VII
introduced.
|
|
1984
|
Jan. 16
|
Ford agrees to buy
historic Dearborn Inn from Edison Institute.
|
|
1984
|
Feb. 1
|
Three-millionth Fiesta
built at Ford Spain's Valencia Plant.
|
|
1984
|
Feb. 24
|
Employees organize first
annual Ford Employees' Celebration of Black History Month at World
Headquarters.
|
|
1984
|
April 26
|
New version of Ford
Transit Van, with industry's first direct- injection, high-speed diesel
engine, introduced in Europe
|
|
1984
|
May 17
|
Rouge Steel Company breaks
ground for $145-million Continuous-Slab-Casting Plant at Rouge complex
in Dearborn.
|
|
1984
|
July 31
|
Ford dedicates $12-million
advanced electronics plant in Markham, Ontario.
|
|
1984
|
Aug. 13
|
Ford acquires remaining 49
percent interest in Pilkington Glass Industries Ltd. of Canada, to make
it a wholly owned subsidiary. (Ford had acquired 51 percent in July
1981.)
|
|
1984
|
Nov. 8
|
Company reduces equity in
Ford Malaysia from 51 percent to 30 percent.
|
|
1984
|
Nov. 14
|
Ford Lio Ho Motor Company
(Taiwan) announces $35-million expansion to increase production.
|
Historic Dates and Events 1985 - 1998
|
Year |
Date |
Event/Milestone |
|
1985
|
|
Production of the Scorpio
starts in Cologne.
|
|
1985
|
Feb. 1
|
Donald Petersen succeeds
Philip Caldwell as board chairman; Harold Poling elected president.
|
|
1985
|
Feb. 7
|
Ford delivers two air
bag-equipped Tempos to U.S. Department of Transportation as part of
5,000-car experimental fleet.
|
|
1985
|
Mar. 17
|
Ford Microelectronics,
Inc., dedicates $33-million facility in Colorado Springs, Colo., to
develop, manufacture and test advanced integrated circuits based on
gallium arsenide.
|
|
1985
|
Mar. 20
|
Scorpio launched in
Europe.
|
|
1985
|
May 22
|
Merger of Ford and Amcar
operation in South Africa completed; new company, South African Motor
Corp. (SAMCOR) begins operations.
|
|
1985
|
July 15
|
Fairlane Club and Fairlane
Manor purchased; later converted into training and development center.
|
|
1985
|
July 17
|
First Aerostar built at
St. Louis (Missouri) Assembly Plant.
|
|
1985
|
July 18
|
Arab Boycott Office
announces Ford's removal from list of banned companies.
|
|
1985
|
Oct. 10
|
Ford buys Sperry New
Holland, world's largest maker of specialty farm equipment, for $330
million.
|
|
1985
|
Dec. 16
|
Ford acquires First
Nationwide Financial Corporation, operator of the ninth-largest U.S.
savings and loan, for $493 million.
|
|
1985
|
Dec. 26
|
Ford Taurus and Mercury
Sable introduced in dealer showrooms across North America.
|
|
1986
|
Jan. 9
|
New Transit medium
van/truck range launched in Europe.
|
|
1986
|
July 10
|
Ford acquires 10 percent
interest in Kia Motor Company of South Korea.
|
|
1987
|
Mar. 13
|
Ford launches
computer-based Worldwide Engineering Release System (WERS) to link its
global manufacturing engineering groups.
|
|
1987
|
July 1
|
Autolatina joint venture
between Ford (49 percent) and Volkswagen (51 percent) established in
Brazil and Argentina; includes automotive and credit operations.
|
|
1987
|
Sept. 7
|
Ford becomes majority
shareholder (75 percent) of Aston Martin
Lagonda, Ltd.
|
|
1987
|
Sept. 29
|
Henry Ford II dies at age
70.
|
|
1987
|
Nov. 18
|
Ford acquires United
States Leasing International, Inc., later renamed USL Capital.
|
|
1987
|
Dec. 26
|
Front-wheel-drive Lincoln
Continental introduced.
|
|
1987
|
Dec. 30
|
Hertz Corporation acquired
for $1.3 billion by Park Ridge Corporation, formed by Ford and members
of Hertz management.
|
|
1988
|
Jan. 14
|
Edsel Ford II and William
Clay Ford Jr. elected to board of directors.
|
|
1988
|
April 25
|
Ford completes
disinvestment from South Africa.
|
|
1988
|
May 3
|
Newly expanded UAW-Ford
National Education Development and Training Center dedicated.
|
|
1988
|
May 12
|
Ford Probe introduced.
|
|
1988
|
May 23
|
Three-millionth North
American Ford Escort built at Wayne(Michigan) Assembly Plant.
|
|
1988
|
Sept. 12
|
Ford and Nissan announce
joint program to design, engineer and produce minivans for North
America.
|
|
1988
|
Oct. 31
|
Ford agrees to provide
approximately $300 million in financing for acquisition of Budget Rent a
Car by Breech Holdings Corp.
|
|
1988
|
Dec. 31
|
First Nationwide, part of
Ford's Financial Services Group, acquires four savings and loans.
|
|
1988
|
Dec. 31
|
Worldwide earnings reach
all-time high of $5.3 billion -- highest to date for any automotive
company.
|
|
1989
|
|
The twenty millionth
German-produced Ford comes off the lines.
|
|
1989
|
Mar. 13
|
Ford's fleet of Great
Lakes ore ships sold to a Cleveland- based steamship firm.
|
|
1989
|
April 1
|
William Clay Ford retires.
|
|
1989
|
Oct. 31
|
Ford completes acquisition
of The Associates, financial services company, for $3.35 billion.
|
|
1989
|
Dec. 15
|
Ford sells Rouge Steel
Company (but retains 20 percent interest that it sells to Rouge Steel in
1992).
|
|
1989
|
December
|
Ford acquires Jaguar Cars
for $2.5 billion.
|
|
1990
|
Mar. 1
|
Harold Poling succeeds
Donald Petersen as chairman of the board; Philip Benton Jr. elected
company president.
|
|
1990
|
Mar. 15
|
Introduction of Ford
Explorer sport/utility vehicle, designated a '91 model.
|
|
1990
|
May 7
|
Ford and Fiat agree to
combine worldwide tractor, farm and industrial equipment operations via
a new holding company -- N.H. Geotech n.v; Fiat owns 80 percent, Ford 20
percent.
|
|
1990
|
Oct. 24
|
Ford Aerospace Corporation
sold to Loral Corporation for $715 million.
|
|
1991
|
|
Cologne opens a pilot
plant for vehicle recycling.
|
|
1991
|
July 15
|
Ford and Volkswagen form
AutoEuropa, joint venture to produce new multipurpose vehicles at
Setubal, Portugal.
|
|
1992
|
Feb. 4
|
Ford F-Series named
best-selling U.S. vehicle for 10th consecutive year.
|
|
1992
|
Mar. 5
|
1992 Ford Taurus is first
car produced in the U.S. with CFC- free air conditioning.
|
|
1992
|
April 14
|
First Mercury Villager
minivan built at Ohio Assembly Plant.
|
|
1992
|
May 28
|
New plant in Alba,
Hungary, dedicated; plant will produce ignition coils, fuel pumps and
starter motors.
|
|
1992
|
July 1
|
Ford acquires 50 percent
of Mazda Motor Manufacturing and renames the company AutoAlliance
International.
|
|
1992
|
Nov. 10
|
Ford wins NASCAR
Manufacturer's Championship.
|
|
1992
|
Dec. 26
|
New Lincoln Mark VIII
introduced.
|
|
1993
|
Jan. 1
|
Ford President Philip
Benton Jr. retires.
|
|
1993
|
Jan. 6
|
Ford Taurus named
best-selling U.S. car for 1992.
|
|
1993
|
Feb. 4
|
Ford announces plans to
develop a natural-gas passenger car.
|
|
1993
|
Feb. 4
|
F-series best-selling
vehicle and truck; Taurus best-selling car; Ford products are five of
top eight on list of best-selling U.S. vehicles.
|
|
1993
|
Feb. 11
|
Ford and Citibank
introduce new Visa and MasterCard that let card users earn rebates on
new Ford vehicles.
|
|
1993
|
Mar. 5
|
Ford introduces the
"world car" Mondeo in Europe, 18 months before the Ford
Contour in U.S.
|
|
1993
|
April 8
|
Ford starts building
Flexible-Fuel Vehicle (FFV) Taurus at Chicago Assembly Plant.
|
|
1993
|
April 30
|
Production of new CD4E
automatic transaxle starts at Batavia (Ohio) Transmission Plant.
|
|
1993
|
June 1
|
Ford is first automaker to
have dual air bags as standard equipment in most cars.
|
|
1993
|
June 20
|
Ford establishes first
dealerships in China.
|
|
1993
|
July 29
|
Ford's one-millionth
vehicle fitted with dual air bags rolls off the Atlanta (Georgia)
Assembly Plant line.
|
|
1993
|
Aug. 27
|
Seventy-fifth anniversary
of Dearborn Assembly Plant (originally the Rouge Plant).
|
|
1993
|
Aug. 27
|
One-millionth Ford
Explorer produced at Louisville (Kentucky) Assembly Plant.
|
|
1993
|
Nov. 1
|
Alex Trotman succeeds
Harold Poling as chairman.
|
|
1994
|
Jan. 10
|
Ford Falcon is top selling
vehicle in Australia.
|
|
1994
|
Jan. 27
|
First Windstar production
begins at Oakville (Ontario) Assembly Plant.
|
|
1994
|
Feb. 8
|
Sale of Mercury Capri,
made by Ford of Australia, discontinued in North America.
|
|
1994
|
Feb. 28
|
Ford China Operations is
formed.
|
|
1994
|
Mar. 24
|
Ford Windstar is
introduced.
|
|
1994
|
April 5
|
Production of Duratec
2.5-liter V-6 engine begins at Cleveland Engine Plant No. 2.
|
|
1994
|
April 14
|
Ford announces the signing
of an agreement to sell First Nationwide Bank to First Madison Bank.
|
|
1994
|
April 28
|
Ford China Research &
Development Fund awards grants worth$1.6 million to 19 Chinese
universities and institutes.
|
|
1994
|
April 29
|
Ford acquires 100 percent
of Hertz Corporation, world's largest car rental company.
|
|
1994
|
May 9
|
U.S.-built Ford Taurus
goes on sale in Brazil.
|
|
1994
|
May 12
|
First U.S.-built
Thunderbirds and Cougars earmarked for sale in Mexico come off the line.
|
|
1994
|
May 20
|
Last Ford Tempo and
Mercury Topaz models are built at Kansas City (Missouri) Assembly Plant.
|
|
1994
|
June 9
|
Ford Japan introduces
European-built Ford Mondeo.
|
|
1994
|
June 10
|
Ford Japan introduces
U.S.-built Ford Probe GT and Japanese-built Ford Laser.
|
|
1994
|
Aug. 15
|
Ford Contour and Mercury
Mystique production starts at Cuautitlan (Mexico) Assembly Plant.
|
|
1994
|
Aug. 22
|
Ford announces its
intention to build a Technology Development Lab in Yokohama City
(Japan).
|
|
1994
|
Aug. 24
|
Ford and Mazda agree to
truck manufacturing joint venture in Thailand.
|
|
1994
|
Sept. 29
|
Contour and Mystique,
North American versions of Ford's new global cars, arrive in dealer
showrooms.
|
|
1994
|
Oct. 14
|
Ford and Mahindra &
Mahindra Limited (India) establish joint venture to assemble vehicles in
India.
|
|
1994
|
Nov. 28
|
UAW/Ford Health &
Fitness Center in Dearborn opens.
|
|
1995
|
Jan. 1
|
William Clay Ford Jr.
succeeds William Clay Ford as Chairman of the Finance Committee.
|
|
1995
|
Jan. 1
|
Ford 2000 initiated;
restructuring plan includes merging North American and European
automotive operations into single Ford Automotive Operations (FAO).
|
|
1995
|
Feb. 23
|
Ford and Song Cong Diesel
agree to build a vehicle assembly plant east of Hanoi in Vietnam.
|
|
1995
|
Feb. 23
|
Ford establishes joint
flexible-fuel vehicle development program with China.
|
|
1995
|
Mar. 29
|
Production of modular
engines starts at new Windsor (Ontario) Engine Plant.
|
|
1995
|
April 19
|
Dagenham (England) Engine
Plant builds its 28-millionth unit.
|
|
1995
|
April 26
|
AutoEuropa
(Ford-Volkswagen joint venture) starts building Ford Galaxie and VW
Sharan at new Palmela (Portugal) plant.
|
|
1995
|
May 5
|
New plant in Valencia
(Spain) starts producing Zetec-SE4-cylinder engines.
|
|
1995
|
Sept. 29
|
Ford plant in Plonsk
(Poland) opens; to build Escort cars and Transit trucks.
|
|
1995
|
Oct. 4
|
Ford and Song Cong Diesel
have groundbreaking ceremony for new joint venture assembly plant.
|
|
1995
|
Nov. 28
|
Ford conducts 10,000th
crash test, 41 years after the first.
|
|
1995
|
Nov. 30
|
Ford and Mazda establish
AutoAlliance (Thailand) to build pickup trucks for Asia.
|
|
1995
|
Dec. 18
|
Aeromax, Ford's first
all-new, heavy-duty truck in 25 years, built at Kentucky Truck Plant.
|
|
1995
|
Dec. 19
|
Ford launches new,
advanced computer technology system for global vehicle development.
|
|
1995
|
Dec. 26
|
Ford announces return to
the Egyptian market, after leaving in the mid-1960s.
|
|
1996
|
Mar. 26
|
Ford announces joint
venture with Sistemaire, automotive components maker in Argentina.
|
|
1996
|
Mar. 27
|
Ford opens sales and
marketing office in Moscow to serve dealers in Russia.
|
|
1996
|
April 18
|
New Ford plant near Sao
Paulo starts making components for Fiestas to be built in Brazil.
|
|
1996
|
April 30
|
Vehicle lighting design
and development center opens at Ford's Autopal Plant in Czech Republic.
|
|
1996
|
May 23
|
Belarus government, Ford
and Ford's dealer in Belarus agree to form joint venture manufacturing
company near Minsk to assemble Escorts and Transits.
|
|
1996
|
Aug. 26
|
First Ford Escort produced
in Nashik (India) rolls off the line in Ford/Mahindra & Mahindra
joint venture.
|
|
1996
|
Sept. 29
|
Ford of Korea, joint
venture with Kia Motor Company -- Ford owns 90 percent, Kia 10 percent
-- established to distribute cars, minivans and sport utility vehicles
to dealers in South Korea.
|
|
1996
|
Oct. 8
|
Two-hundred-fifty-millionth
Ford vehicle built.
|
|
1997
|
Jan. 14
|
Ford announces agreement
to transfer ownership of Budget Rent a Car to Team Rental Group.
|
|
1997
|
Feb. 19
|
Ford signs letter of
intent to sell heavy truck business to Freightliner Corp.
|
|
1997
|
Feb. 19
|
Ford launches 1997 Escort
and Mercury Tracer in Middle East.
|
|
1997
|
Mar. 4
|
Ford automotive plants
first to achieve world environmental standard ISO 14001.
|
|
1997
|
Mar. 6
|
First Ford Taurus goes on
sale in Russia.
|
|
1997
|
April 19
|
Ford introduces Ka in Hong
Kong.
|
|
1997
|
July 1
|
Lincoln Navigator is
introduced in U.S.
|
|
1997
|
Aug. 1
|
Ford Puma is introduced in
U.K.
|
|
1997
|
Aug. 21
|
Ford sells first natural
gas taxis to New York City.
|
|
1997
|
Sept. 9
|
Ford creates Visteon
Automotive Systems for the design, development, and delivery of fully
integrated systems, replacing Ford Automotive Products Operations.
|
|
1998
|
Jan. 20
|
The Associates 1997
earnings surpass a record $1 billion.
|
|
1998
|
Jan. 22
|
Lincoln-Mercury announces
its headquarters will move to Irvine, Calif., in 1998 to foster
continued development of unique brands.
|
|
1998
|
Jan. 26
|
Lincoln Mercury announces
plans to discontinue production of the Lincoln Mark VIII luxury coupe in
June 1998.
|
|
1998
|
Jan. 27
|
Ford reports record $6.9
billion earnings for 1997.
|
|
1998
|
Mar. 1
|
Ford Taurus takes first
Winston Cup victory.
|
|
1998
|
Mar. 3
|
Ford sets timing (April 7,
1998) for spin-off of $22.7 billion stake in The Associates and a cash
distribution of $3.1 billion to shareholders of record on March 12,
1998.
|
|
1998
|
Mar. 4
|
Ford employees earn record
profit sharing averaging $4,400.
|
|
1998
|
Mar. 5
|
Ford and Mobil Corporation
form strategic alliance to speed the development of breakthrough fuel
and vehicle technologies.
|
|
1998
|
Apr. 7
|
Ford, Daimler-Benz and
Ballard complete agreement to develop fuel-cell technology for future
vehicles.
|
|
1998
|
Apr. 8
|
Ford announces intent to
introduce side-impact air bags throughout North American car lineup.
|
|
1998
|
Apr. 9
|
Edsel B. Ford II resigns
post as president of Ford Credit and head of financial services to
continue family involvement in community service.
|
|
1998
|
Apr. 27
|
Ford dismantles Ford of
Canada's former Windsor Engine Plant #1in recycling effort.
|
|
1998
|
May 6
|
Lincoln-Mercury announces
July 7 as date to open Southern California headquarters.
|
|
1998
|
May 12
|
Kentucky Truck to open
metal stamping plant for 1999 production.
|
|
1998
|
May 14
|
Ford Ka introduced in
Moscow.
|
|
1998
|
May 29
|
Spirit of Ford Automotive
Science & Technology Center officially opens to the public.
|
|
1998
|
June 3
|
Ford shows quality
leadership in 1998 J. D. Power initial quality survey.
|
|
1998
|
Sept. 15
|
Ford Taurus and Mercury
Sable earn Government's top safety rating: Five Stars
|
|
1998
|
Sept. 18
|
The U. S. Postal Service
awards a $206.4 million contract to Ford Motor Co., of Dearborn, Mich.,
for 10,000 alternative fuel delivery vehicles to replace aging postal
vehicles used for daily delivery to city and business customers.
|
|
1998
|
Sept. 21
|
Ford and NASA bring
artificial intelligence to vehicles courtesy of a new neural network
computer chip that mimics the human mind. The new intelligent chip
promises to reduce vehicle emissions and improve fuel
economy
by monitoring fuel combustion.
|
|
1998
|
Oct. 13
|
Ford Motor Company and ZF
Friedrichshafen AG announce their intention to form a joint venture to
produce automatic transmissions at Ford’s Batavia (Ohio) Transmission
Plant.
|
|
1998
|
Oct. 20
|
Jaguar's new S-TYPE sports
saloon makes its world debut today at the Birmingham International Motor
Show.
|
|
1998
|
Nov. 17
|
The new Ford Focus wins
the prestigious ‘European Car of the Year’ award, which is widely
recognised as the most significant accolade in the European motor
industry
|
|
1998
|
Nov. 30
|
The 1999 Ford Windstar
minivan earns the highest scores possible in government frontal crash
test ratings.
|
|
1998
|
Dec. 8
|
Ford Motor Company becomes
the first and only automotive company to certify its plants around the
world under ISO 14001 – 140 plants in 26 countries.
|
Historic Dates and Events 1999 - present
|
Year |
Date |
Event/Milestone |
|
1999
|
January
|
Ford announces its
intention to acquire 51% interest in Norway's PIVCO Industries, maker of
the TH!NK two-seat electric city car.
|
|
1999
|
Jan. 1
|
Sir Alex Trotman, Chairman
and CEO of Ford Motor Co. , retires. William Clay Ford Jr., assumes
chairmanship of the company; Jacques Nasser becomes President and Chief
Executive Officer. New management team assumes leadership.
|
|
1999
|
Feb. 1
|
An explosion occurs at the
Rouge Complex in Dearborn completely halting production at the
powerhouse; initially killing one employee and injuring 30 [additionally
five of the injured subsequently die in the days that follow].
|
|
1999
|
Feb. 22
|
Visteon Automotive Systems
opens $150 million manufacturing site at Chennai, India.
|
|
1999
|
Mar. 1
|
Ford enters into a
definitive agreement with AB Volvo for the purchase of Volvo's worldwide
passenger car business for a price of $6.45 billion.
|
|
1999
|
Mar. 1
|
Visteon achieves world
first with new Jaguar S-type—the Listening Car.
|
|
1999
|
Mar. 2
|
Ford opens the first
franchised Ford sales and service facility in Kazakhstan, Turkey
operated by RAM Auto Almaty Ltd. - 1 100 percent owned subsidiary of the
Koc Group.
|
|
1999
|
Mar. 3
|
Ford pays record profit
sharing averaging $6,100.
|
|
1999
|
Mar. 8
|
Volvo shareholders approve
purchase transaction of passenger car business to Ford.
|
|
1999
|
Mar. 9
|
A further chapter in the
story of a true "American classic" unfolds at the 1999 Geneva
International Motor Show, with the European debut of the new Ford
Thunderbird Concept car.
|
|
1999
|
Mar. 9
|
Ford demonstrates its
global commitment to environmental leadership and responsibility with
the launch of the new Ford Focus, Ford Mondeo AFV, and TH!NK
[zero-emission electric city car scheduled to go on sale in Scandinavia
later this year] models at the Geneva Auto Show.
|
|
1999
|
Mar. 17
|
Ford of Canada announces
intent to franchise all existing dealerships under one brand, Ford, in
the 2000 model year.
|
|
1999
|
Mar. 17
|
Thirteen Salt Lake City
Ford dealers launch the Utah Auto Collection – a new concept in
automotive retailing.
|
|
1999
|
Mar. 19
|
Ford establishes the
Premier Auto Group consisting of Aston Martin, Jaguar and Lincoln [Volvo
will later be included in this group].
|
|
1999
|
Mar. 31
|
Ford completes the
purchase of Volvo Car and incorporates Volvo it as part of the Premier
Auto Group.
|
|
1999
|
Mar. 31
|
Ford Credit becomes the
first direct issuer to sell commercial paper on the Worldwide Web.
|
|
1999
|
Apr. 26
|
Ford completes its first
purchase of a vehicle disassembly company (Copher Brothers Auto Parts in
Tampa, Florida) as part of a bigger plan to create a global network of
state-of-the art vehicle recycling companies.
|
|
1999
|
May 5
|
Ford's Windsor Casting
Plant (Canada) earns a national award for the use of innovative
technology in pollution prevention.
|
|
1999
|
May 17
|
Ford announces that all
pickup trucks will be Low Emission Vehicles, starting with F-Series
trucks in model year 2000 and adding Ranger for 2001 model year, with
the large majority preceding any U.S. emissions requirements by years.
|
|
1999
|
June 11
|
Ford Motor Company reaches
agreement to buy Automobile Protection Corporation [APCO] for
approximately $180 million.
|
|
1999
|
June 15
|
Ford opens a $35 million
European advanced research centre in Aachen, Germany. Ford announces its
position as the largest producer of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) in
the world with the 1999 launch of three bi-fuel production vehicles in
Europe: The liquified petroluem gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG)
versions of the Ford Transit; an LPG Mondeo, and LPG and CNG versions of
the European Focus [selected European markets] later this year.
|
|
1999
|
June 15
|
Ford Motor Company and CD
Radio announce an alliance to bring digital satellite radio to Ford
customers.
|
|
1999
|
Aug. 29
|
Team Ford Racing, a Ford
racing fan club is officially launched in Silverstone, G.B.
|
|
1999
|
Aug. 26
|
Ford announces it will be
closing its cold weather testing facility in Bemidji, Minnesota due to
inconsistent climatic conditions.
|
|
1999
|
Sept. 16
|
Ford opens £700,000
innovative training center at Ford Transit Plant in Southampton.
|
|
1999
|
Sept. 16
|
Ford Motor Company of
Canada, Limited receives 1999 Ontario Chamber of Commerce Outstanding
Business Achievement Award, for outstanding leadership in environmental
initiatives.
|
|
1999
|
Sept. 17
|
Ford introduces the new
Ford Lynx in Manila.
|
|
1999
|
Sept. 17
|
Ford announces it will
deliver the first "no compromise" family-oriented hybrid
electric vehicle (HEV) to the Department of Energy early next month.
|
|
1999
|
Sept. 17
|
Ford Motor Company
Philippines celebrates the inauguration of its four-billion peso Manila,
Philippines, plant, situated in a 21-hectare property inside the
Greenfield Automotive Park in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
|
|
1999
|
Sept. 24
|
Ford Motor Company is
recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce for exemplary performance
in promoting minority business growth in the nation.
|
|
1999
|
Sept. 30
|
Ford Focus sales reach
500,000, less than 12 months after introduction.
|
|
1999
|
Oct. 4
|
Ford announces that they
are requiring ISO 14001 certification from all of its suppliers with
manufacturing facilities.
|
|
1999
|
Oct. 20
|
Ford announces it will
work with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop lightweight,
fuel-efficient technologies for potential use in tactical trucks for
tomorrow's army. Representatives from the Department of Defense and Ford
signed the two-year $11.2 million non-procurement contract today at the
U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) National
Automotive Center.
|
|
1999
|
Oct. 20
|
The 1999 Ford Focus is
introduced in Japan at the 33rd Tokyo Motor Show.
|
|
1999
|
Oct. 25
|
Jaguar Cars announces that
it has surpassed its long-standing, single-year sales record in the
United States.
|
|
1999
|
Oct. 27
|
At a groundbreaking
ceremony in Santo Domingo, Viamar, C. Por A. – the Ford, Lincoln and
Mercury dealer for the Dominican Republic – announce a QualityCare
service operation designed for maximum customer convenience. The
state-of-the-art facility will be the first of its kind anywhere in the
world.
|
|
1999
|
November
|
Norway's first
mass-produced vehicle, the TH!NK city starts rolling off the assembly
line in Oslo.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 1
|
Ford Motor Company airs
first-ever global commercial, "Gobal Anthem" shown in
virtually every country around the world.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 1
|
Ford and the UAW sign a
new four-year national labor contract.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 2
|
In the first-ever sale of
electric vehicles by a major auto maker in Canada, Ford of Canada
completes delivery of 16 battery-powered, zero-emission 1999 Ford Ranger
EV pickup trucks to Quebec-based [Canada] customers.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 2
|
Ford Motor Company and
Oracle Corporation announce the formation of the AutoXchange, an
automotive e-business integrated supply chain to be created and run by a
newly formed joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Oracle
Corporation.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 3
|
500,000 Ford Focus cars
sold in Europe in less than 12 months.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 4
|
Jaguar Select Edition is
named Best Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Program in a first-of-its-kind
survey conducted by IntelliChoiceâ Inc., a company specializing in
consumer-automotive information. Jaguar tied for first place, as the
best of certified pre-owned vehicle programs, based on 21 programs
offered in the United States.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 9
|
Ford today announces plans
to cease production at its assembly plant at Plonsk, Poland, as part of
an ongoing restructuring of Ford's European manufacturing operations.
The closure is to be completed by the middle of the year 2000.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 10
|
Ford is acknowledged as
the first automaker in the world to certify a production vehicle to
California's strict LEV II emissions requirements.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 12
|
Norway's first
mass-produced vehicle, TH!NK City, begins rolling off the assembly line
in Aurskog, Norway.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 16
|
Ford and TeleTech
Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEC) announce they intend to form a joint
venture to consolidate Ford’s customer contact services around the
globe.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 16
|
Ford sales of new cars and
trucks surpassed the three million mark in the U.S. It was the earliest
date ever that Ford, America's top selling brand of cars and trucks, had
reached that milestone.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 18
|
Ford teams up with the
University of Louisville in a joint research project for development of
tactical military truck technologies for the U.S. Department of Defense
under a $6 million Government appropriations bill.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 22
|
As the first multinational
company to design a car specifically for India, Ford Motor Company is
launching the brand new Ford IKON. The first vehicle rolled off the
assembly line at Ford’s new state-of-the-art plant in Maraimalai Nagar,
India.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 24
|
Ford Motorsports in
Frankfurt, Germany, announces that it will purchase the Pi Group, a
leading supplier of high-technology electronics to the automotive
industry.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 24
|
Ford Motor Company [U.K.]
announces that it will purchase the Pi Group, a leading supplier of
high-technology electronics to the automotive industry.
|
|
1999
|
Nov. 24
|
Lincoln LS is named Motor
Trend Car of the Year.
|
|
1999
|
Dec. 19
|
The Model T is named Car
of the Century at an internationally attended gala in Las Vegas.
|
|
1999
|
Dec. 26
|
U.S. Postal Service awards
Ford Motor Company largest ever electric vehicle order.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 6
|
Jaguar sets an all-time
sales record with 75,312 cars sold in 1999.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 6
|
Ford donates more than $12
million to four Detroit organizations: Detroit Symphony Orchestra,
Detroit Zoo, Detroit Science Center and Henry Ford Academy.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 7
|
The 'Ford Racing Puma'
officially goes on sale in the UK, priced from £22,750 on-the-road.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 9
|
24-7 designed to help
consumers navigate the day.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 9
|
Ford and YAHOO announce
that they will team up to develop personalized service to Ford
customer's online.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 9
|
Ford announces it will
equip 2001-model-year vehicles with voice-activated telematics systems
offering advanced security features and information access.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 10
|
Ford Focus is the first
vehicle ever to receive both the North American
Car
of the Year and the European Car of the Year awards.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 10
|
At the North American
International Auto Show, Ford announces that it will begin producing and
selling a family-size hybrid electric vehicle by 2003.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 10
|
Ford unveils the Prodigy
at the North American International Auto Show.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 10
|
TH!NK, an enterprise of
Ford Motor Company, today unveiled a family size sedan powered by the
latest generation methanol reformer fuel cell electric powertrain.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 10
|
TH!NK announces the
introduction of the TH!NK bicycle early this summer.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 10
|
Ford Motor Company
announced today that it will open a new design studio in London, England
in 2001.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 11
|
Ford acquires 100% of
TH!NK Nordic, Inc. [formerly PIVCO].
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 11
|
Jaguar announces all-time
sales record for 1999 [with 75,312 units sold].
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 11
|
Ford announces it will
open a new design studio in London, England in 2001.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 22
|
Ford connects dealers,
customers and suppliers with new web-based technology.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 26
|
Ford reports record
earnings of $7.2 billion in 1999, more than any other automotive
company in history [also establishing a new company record for annual
revenue].
|
|
2000
|
Feb. 2
|
Ford Motor Company and UPS
Logistics Group, a subsidiary of United Parcel Service, have formed a
strategic alliance to reduce vehicle delivery time from Ford plants to
dealers and customers.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 25
|
Ford enters into an
agreement with Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Limited that
will enable Ford Motor Company to increase its investment in South
Africa.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 26
|
Ford Motor Company Reports
industry-record operating income of $7.2 billion in 1999 and record
Fourth Quarter Earnings of $1.8 billion
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 28
|
Ford of Canada officially
opens the YMCA Child Care Centre at the Ford operation in Oakville,
offering Ford employees and community residents a state-of-the-art
learning environment for preschoolers.
|
|
2000
|
Jan. 27
|
Ford announces a record
Profit Sharing average of $8,000 for 1999.
|
|
2000
|
Feb. 3
|
Ford announces that
eligible employees worldwide will be provided a computer, printer and
Internet usage at home for a nominal fee.
|
|
2000
|
Feb. 4
|
The Ford Taurus and
Mercury Sable continue to earn the federal government's highest possible
rating for frontal crash performance.
|
|
2000
|
Feb. 4
|
The 2000 Ford Focus sets a
record for garnering the most major awards issued by
Journalists,
capped by the prestigious North American Car of the Year award, making
it the first car to be named Car of the Year in both North America and
Europe.
|
|
2000
|
Feb. 9
|
The South African Motor
Corporation (SAMCOR) -- soon to be Ford Motor Company -- and Volvo Car
Corporation (VCC) have commenced plans whereby Volvo Car
personnel
will locate themselves at SAMCOR's offices in Pretoria, South Africa.
|
|
2000
|
Feb. 24
|
Ford Motor Company today
announced the establishment of a North American Headquarters for its
PremierAutomotive Group in Irvine, California. Jaguar also annonces that
it will relocate in California.as part of the wider move by Ford Motor
Co.
|
|
2000
|
Feb. 25
|
Volvo Car Corporation, a
member of the newly formed Premier Automotive Group
within
Ford Motor Company, formally announces the creation of Volvo Car
South
Africa (Pty) Ltd., (VCSA), to manage and develop its share of the
South African prestige car market.
|
|
2000
|
Feb. 25
|
Ford, GM, and
DaimlerChrysler jointly announce today that they are planning to combine
their efforts to form a business-to-business integrated supplier
exchange through a single global portal.
|
|
2000
|
Mar. 3
|
Ford Motor Company
employees receive record profit sharing checks
|
|
2000
|
Mar. 17
|
Ford Motor Company
announces that it has reached a memorandum of understanding to buy Land
Rover from the BMW Group
|
|
2000
|
Apr. 3
|
Ford sets all-time monthly
U.S. sales record
|
|
2000
|
Apr. 10
|
Mazda to participate in
the joint project for the test run of fuel cell vehicles in cooperation
with Daimler Chrysler Japan holding and Nippon Mitsubishi oil.
|
|
2000
|
Apr. 12
|
Ford Division, Lincoln
Mercury and Wells Fargo to offer unique small business MasterCard credit
card.
|
|
2000
|
Apr. 13
|
Ford teams with U.S.
Dealers and J.D. Power to launch Blue Oval certifiedTM - most
comprehensive customer satisfaction initiative in automotive retailing.
|
|
2000
|
Apr. 14
|
Ford Motor Co. Board of
Directors approves major shareholder value actions:
-
A Value Enhancement
plan that offers Ford shareholders new Ford shares
-
Independence plan for
Visteon Corporation
-
A plan to include
Canada’s Windsor and Essex aluminum plants in an expanded version
of its current joint venture with ALFA to increase focus and drive
new growth.
|
|
2000
|
May 8
|
Ford introduces the
propane-powered, bi-fuel Super Duty F-Series chassis cab for the 2000
model year.
|
|
2000
|
May 23
|
BMW Group and Ford Motor
Company announce that they have signed a definitive agreement for Ford
to buy the Land Rover business from BMW.
|
|
2000
|
June 14
|
The one millionth European
Ford Focus rolls off the Saarlouis production line in Germany, the first
Ford in Europe to have reached this milestone in under two years.
|
|
2000
|
June 29
|
Visteon officially becomes
a totally independent company and begins public trading on the New York
Stock Exchange.
|
|