Ford Focus on the streets of Russia, perhaps the most frequent guest. Indeed, this golf-class model is extremely popular in our Fatherland. good design, modern motors, different types body, brand prestige - what else do you need? Need good build! It is this question that excites the minds of those who almost decided to purchase products from the American auto industry.
Ford Focus Assembly Location
On this moment Focus is assembled in 5 states:
- China;
- Thailand;
- Russia;
- Germany.
The American concern does not lag behind other companies that have already launched their products in Russian Federation. So Ford equipped the assembly line, organizing the release of the model in Vsevolozhsk, which is listed in the Leningrad Region. Strictly speaking, the plant is not located in the city itself, but at a distance of 5 km from it - in the industrial zone. In total, about $ 230,000,000 was invested in this enterprise, and its staff consists of 2,000 people. Eg, Ford modification Focus III began production on July 18, 2011. This is where the SKD assembly takes place.
Assembly features
The plant has several workshops in which all work takes place:
- Welding shop;
- Painting shop;
- Final assembly shop;
- Quality control.
welding shop
The panels themselves are not stamped at the enterprise - everything starts from the welding shop. It is supplied with body parts that are brought from Spain, and all of them come to Vsevolozhsk already galvanized. Welding takes place manually, by means of tongs, and the parts are fixed with manual clamps. But not everything is so simple. Despite the fact that welding is not fully automated - the worker only brings the device to the metal, while the duration of the electric pulse and the current power are electronically regulated. Each stage is followed by a welding check for accuracy.
The workshop itself is equipped with a separate quality control point. Upon receipt of the panel for work, the employee also receives it technological map with already marked places of welding, and he is obliged to make notes in it about the actions performed.
From time to time, welded parts are taken to special chambers, where computer program checks the quality of the work and compliance with the parameters. In addition, the company has implemented a system according to which a group that accepts any part from the previous one has the right to refuse it if mistakes were made while working with it. In addition, from time to time the bodies are tested for strength, when special robots try to break them with pincers.
Upon completion of welding, the finished body is sent to the grinding chamber, in which it is prepared for painting.
Painting shop
For painting, paint is supplied by PPG. First, the body undergoes a phosphating procedure, after which it goes to painting. People work in this workshop, not robots. The reason is that for such a volume of produced cars, the installation of a very expensive special equipment unprofitable.
On the other hand, all painters were trained and practiced in Valencia, where they proved their professionalism. Also, the pile does not fly to the body, because all the workers are dressed in special suits, the thread thickness of which is 1.5 km. A total of 12 colors are available.
Final assembly shop
This conveyor is made in the shape of the letter U. Painted “Focuses” slowly move along it, gradually acquiring more and more new interior details. Also, an engine is installed on it (its numbering is also carried out), transmission, suspension components. After pouring into the car all necessary fluids, "Focus" starts to go independently.
As in other factories, the clothes of workers attract attention due to the absence of any metal elements. If there are any, they are all covered with soft covers.
Quality control
Initially, optics are installed on it and the wheels are adjusted. Next Ford Focus goes to the running drums, which are tested brake mechanisms, from where it rolls into the sprinkling chamber to check the tightness (there water is poured on it under pressure).
Only after that does the final control pass, where the inspectors meticulously inspect each copy. At the same time, they have every right to reject it due to flaws in painting, uneven gaps, and similar flaws. If everything is normal, the car receives the documents and goes to the dealership.
II Ford generation Focus
previous generation popular model also gathered near Petersburg. Assembly technology has not changed much since then. Even then, the strictest selection of plant employees was carried out, expensive European equipment was installed at the same time, and foreign criteria and quality control standards were adopted.
As a result, according to official data, the percentage of marriages per Russian plant was even lower than in Spanish. In addition, representatives of reputable publications compared this aspect on models of European and Russian assembly, but did not find any differences - slightly uneven gaps, or slight distortions of the side window seals occur on all versions.
Build quality
The car is assembled quite well, nothing falls off, does not rattle, does not rot, etc. So there are no global flaws. On the other hand, there are also problems. There are complaints about the door upholstery, which very soon begin to creak, as well as to the moments of fitting parts - on some machines, due to such flaws, the paint is rubbed over time, the doors do not close tightly, and the light bulbs in the room lighting dimensions constantly burn out, and the lamps dipped beam do not last long (the reason is insufficient tightness). In addition, there are complaints about uneven gaps of interior parts and their creaking, and some even had antennas fall off, but these are isolated cases.
As for the II generation, there are few complaints about these cars, but they are. The owners note the fragile fixation of the plastic corners, which is in front of the exterior mirrors. There were cases when they were even torn off at the sink. In addition, molding on windshield may come off, causing the wind to whistle when driving fast.
All in all, the Ford Focus is definitely worth the money.
In 1872, the son of an Irish immigrant fell off his horse while working on his father's farm near Dearborn, Michigan, USA. It was on this day that he decided to create a vehicle that would not cause suffering and would be more reliable than vehicles using animal power. That bad rider was Henry Ford.
Subsequently, Henry and his eleven enthusiastic friends raised a hefty sum of $28,000 and on June 16, 1903, filed an application to organize an industrial enterprise in the state of Michigan.
Ford motor Company began its production activities, and as a result, a "gasoline sidecar" driven by an 8 hp engine was created, called "Model A".
Ten years after that, Ford was known around the world as a genius who gave Ford world T is a car available to everyone. Ford Motor Company was the first to introduce the conveyor. Thanks to this technical novelty Henry Ford reduced the cost of the Tin Lizzy from $850 to $290.
What is the secret of Ford Motor Company's hundred years of success? When creating the company, Henry Ford dreamed of a car whose cost would not exceed the annual salary of those ordinary workers who assembled cars at a factory in Detroit.
Ford has gone through many changes in its 100 years of history. However, the belief that people should have affordable, reliable and modern cars has remained unchanged.
Henry Ford was born in Springfield, Michigan on July 30, 1863. He was the eldest of six children of William and Mary Ford (William; Mary Ford), who owned a prosperous farm. Henry spent his childhood on his parents' farm, where he helped his family and attended a regular rural school.
At the age of 12, Henry equipped a small workshop, where he enthusiastically spent all his free time. It was there that a few years later he designed his first steam engine.
In 1879, Henry Ford moved to Detroit, where he got a job as an assistant machinist. Three years later, Ford moved to Dearborn and spent five years designing and repairing steam engines, moonlighting from time to time at a plant in Detroit. In 1888 he married Clara Jane Bryant and soon took over as manager of a sawmill.
In 1891, Ford became an engineer for the Edison Illuminating Company, and two years later was appointed the company's chief engineer. Good salary and enough free time allowed Ford to devote more time to the development of internal combustion engines.
Ford assembled the first internal combustion engine in the kitchen of his home. Soon he decided to put the engine on a frame with four bicycle wheels. So in 1896, a quad bike appeared - a vehicle that became the first Ford car.
After retiring in 1899 from the Edison Illuminating company, Henry Ford founded his own company, Detroit Automobile. Despite the fact that a year later the company went bankrupt, Ford managed to collect several racing cars. Ford himself took part in motor racing and in October 1901 managed to defeat the American champion Alexander Winton (Alexander Winton).
The Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903. Its founders were twelve businessmen from Michigan, led by Henry Ford, who held a 25.5% stake in the company and served as vice president and chief engineer of the company.
Under car factory converted a former van factory on Mack Avenue in Detroit. Brigades, consisting of two or three workers, under the direct supervision of Ford, assembled cars from spare parts that were made to order by other enterprises.
The company's first car was sold on July 23, 1903. First creation of Ford became a "petrol sidecar" driven by an 8 hp engine, dubbed Model A. The car was described as "the most advanced car on the market, which even a 15-year-old boy can drive." In 1906, Henry Ford became the company's president and principal owner.
The first oval Ford logo appeared in 1907 thanks to the first British representatives of the company Perry (Perry), Thornton (Thornton) and Schreiber (Schreiber). As part of an advertising campaign, it was presented as a "stamp of the highest standard", designed to symbolize reliability and economy.
For the next five years, Henry Ford directed the overall development and production program. During this time, 19 letters of the alphabet were used - from Model A to Model S. Some of these models remained at the experimental level, not reaching the end user.
In 1908, Henry Ford realized his dream with the release of the Model T. "Tin Lizzy", as the Americans affectionately called her, became the most famous car throughout the history of the automotive industry.
Her base price was $ 260, and within just one year, about 11 thousand of these machines were sold. It was the appearance of the Model T that marked the onset new era in the development of personal transport.
Ford's car was easy to drive, did not require complex maintenance and could even drive on rural roads.
From that moment on, the car becomes a subject mass production, the demand for which is constantly growing.
At the same time, machines for various services: pickup trucks, delivery vehicles, ambulances, delivery vans and small buses.
To meet the growing needs of customers, as well as increase labor productivity, Ford is introducing assembly line production in its factories for the first time, in which each worker performs one operation while remaining in one place. As a result of the innovation, another Model T rolled off the assembly line every 10 seconds, and the moving conveyor became a new, significant stage in the industrial revolution.
In 1919, Henry Ford and his son Edsel (Adsel Ford) bought the company's shares from other shareholders for $105,568,858 and became the sole owners of the company. In the same year, Edsel inherited from his father the presidency of the company, which he held until his death in 1943. After the sudden death of his son Henry Ford again had to stand at the helm of the company.
The Model A, released in 1927, was the first Ford car to feature an oval emblem on the grille. Until the very end of the 50s, most Ford cars were produced with the well-known dark blue badge these days. Although the oval badge was approved as the official emblem of Ford, it was not put on cars until the mid-70s.
The fast pace of life constantly required capacity building and implementation unique technologies. Developing with the rhythm of the times, Ford Motor Company was ready to show off its latest achievements.
On April 1, 1932, the company introduced the V-shaped 8-cylinder engine to the public. Ford was the first company to produce a monolithic 8-cylinder block. Cars with such an engine became the favorites of practical Americans for a long time.
Already in 1934, on rural farms and on the streets of large cities, trucks Ford, equipped with a completely modified engine.
At this time, the problem of car safety is becoming more and more urgent. Henry Ford does not ignore this topic. For the first time, safety glasses are being used at its factories, Full time job to reduce the risk to human life - caring for a person has always been and remains the most important aspect general company policy. Car enthusiasts and ordinary citizens pay generously for such care with their commitment and love for Ford.
The famous brand is gaining popularity not only in America, but throughout the world. During this period, Ford has a huge network of factories and stores throughout America, opens branches in Europe and Russia. Thousands of cars find their owners all over the world. The brand becomes truly popular.
In September 1945, Henry Ford transferred powers to his eldest grandson, Henry Ford II. In May 1946, Henry Ford Sr. was awarded an honorary award for services to the auto industry, and at the end of that year, the American Petroleum Institute (American Petroleum Institute) presented him gold medal for services to society.
Henry Ford died at the age of 83 at his home in Dearborn on April 7, 1947. Thus, an entire era in the history of the Ford Motor Company ended, which, despite the death of its founder, continued to develop actively.
But the grandson continues the work of his grandfather with dignity. On June 8, 1948, the new 1949 Ford model was unveiled at the New York Show. Its main features are smooth side panels, independent front suspension and opening rear side windows.
The integration of the body and fenders was a novelty that set the standard automotive design. In 1949, Ford sold about a million of these cars, reaching the highest sales since 1929.
The company's profits are also growing at a tremendous rate. This led to an increase in production facilities: new production and assembly plants, test sites, engineering research laboratories.
New types of activities are being developed: financial business- Ford Motor Company, insurance - American Road Insurance Company, automatic replacement spare parts - Ford Parts and Service Division, electronics, computers, space technology and much more.
And finally, in January 1956, the Ford Motor Company went public. joint stock company. The company currently has about 700,000 shareholders.
The focus of attention in the 60s is the youth. In accordance with the mood in society, Ford is rapidly reorienting its production to the creation of inexpensive sports cars intended for the young buyer.
It was then, in 1964, that the Mustang was presented to the public for the first time. The most important feature of the novelty was the use of a new engine, which combined two units - a transmission and a drive axle. Favorably distinguished her and appearance- the original combination of all current trends design of the 50s and 60s.
Such a keen interest, which this car caused, was not observed since the Model A. In the first hundred days, one hundred thousand four-seater Mustangs were sold. The company's profits exceeded all expected results.
Encouraged by the success, Ford continues to develop original designs, while using the most innovative trends and developments in the automotive industry. Their work was embodied in models like the Corina and the Transit van.
But not only profit worried employees and ford manual motor company. The fight for safety continues.
So, in 1970, Ford becomes the first serial manufacturer to introduce front disc brakes.
Since 1976, the legendary oval Ford emblem with a blue background and silver letters has been placed on absolutely all cars of the company, so that Ford products can be easily recognized anywhere in the world.
The conditions of fierce competition, especially aggravated during this period, encourage Ford specialists to introduce new technologies in other areas - special attention is paid to fuel economy. The goal of the designers is to create a world-class leader in the middle and executive segments of the market. The result was the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sebale.
It should be noted that Taurus was created as a car, every detail of which is brought to perfection. Efforts paid off - Taurus was recognized as the car of 1986, and a year later became a bestseller in America.
Ford's next innovations were the Mondeo, as well as a modified Mustang. 1994 premieres also included the Ford Espire and the Windstar minibus.
Then North America saw the improved Ford Taurus and Mercury Tracer showcasing the first Big changes in the design of cars that hit the market in the late 80s. In Europe, a modified F-series pickup was also introduced, new Fiesta and Galaxy minivans.
The main goal of the company is the constant improvement of its products while reducing production costs. The results were world cars.
There are currently over 70 sold worldwide. various models cars manufactured under the brands Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, and Aston Martin. Ford also has a stake in Mazda companies motor corporation And Kia Motors Corporation.
On July 9, 2002, in the city of Vsevolzhsk, Leningrad Region, the new plant Ford Motor Company full production cycle.
Ford Motor Company is the famous American car company. It ranks 4th in the world in terms of sales over the past hundred years. Currently, the company has offices in more than 60 countries around the world. Often, motorists have a question: "Which country is the country of manufacture of Ford?" Most of the company's cars are produced at factories located in the US and Europe.
Company Founder
The company is named after its founder, Henry Ford. He was born July 30, 1863. His parents were simple farmers. From childhood, Henry was fond of technology. The boy figured out how to simplify hard farm work with the help of various mechanisms. One day, Henry was thrown from the saddle by a young stallion. From that day on, his goal was to create a safe means of transportation. At the age of 16, the young man moves to Detroit and gets a job in an electric company. For twenty years simple mechanic manages to become a chief engineer. In his spare time, Ford was engaged in the development of the car. When these works were completed, Ford quit and began looking for investors to create an automobile company.
The history of Ford is not only the history of the American, but of the entire global automotive industry. It was the Ford company that first began to produce mass cheap car. It is the fourth in the world in terms of production in history. It is now third in the US and second in Europe.
The company's annual turnover exceeds $150 billion. The asset value is $208 billion. The corporation has 62 factories, a network of outlets located in 30 countries. They employ over 200 thousand employees. We offer you to get acquainted briefly with the history of Ford.
History of the company
Ford history began with the first meeting in 1875, 12-year-old Henry Ford with a locomobile. The future father of the automotive industry called this meeting the most important in his life, which radically influenced his choice of profession. From a young age, he has been involved in technology, working as an apprentice in a mechanical workshop, as a repairman for locomotives. Evenings are spent in the workshop on the parent farm.
Henry Ford as a child
First car
In 1884, Henry got a job in one of the workshops in Detroit. Here he got acquainted in practice with the gas engine of the Otto model, known at that time.
Soon Henry returns to his native village, marries. His father gave him a large plot of land, where the young Ford built a house and equipped himself with a first-class workshop. In it, out of curiosity, he designed for himself an engine modeled on Otto's four-stroke model, operating on lighting gas.
Four years later, he is hired as an engineer for an electrical company. Henry and his wife rent a house in Detroit. In a brick shed behind the house, he set up a workshop, which he moved with him from Springfield. In it, the inventor devotedly worked in the evenings on his two-cylinder engine.
In 1892, Henry Ford built his first car. It looked like a cart with bicycle wheels. The two-cylinder engine developed a power of about 4 Horse power. There was no steering wheel, the car was set in motion by a crank. Henry Ford's first car received a downtime from the inventor Ford name Quadricycle (Ford Quadricycle).
Ford Quadricycle
In the spring of 1893, it was tested on the rural roads of Michigan. Until 1896, Ford drove it for thousands of miles, then sold it for $ 200 to a passionate car lover.
First experience
Meanwhile, the electrical company offered him a top engineering position on the condition that he stop working on machines. But the young engineer was already firmly convinced of the success of his business and on August 15, 1899, he refused the service in order to devote himself entirely to cars.
A group of entrepreneurs offered to organize a car company with his participation. Ford worked there for three years. During this time, he built 15 cars based on his first model. But sales were poor, there were no opportunities to design new models, and Henry left the company.
Own enterprise
Ford decides to organize an independent enterprise. He rents another brick shed for his workshop and continues to experimentally build new car models.
Most American car buyers at the time considered speed to be their trump card. To meet the needs of the public, Henry produces two models with a 4-cylinder engine of 80 hp, which at that time seemed to be gigantic power.
One of them, the "999" car, as he called it, successfully showed its speed in a three-mile race. Those willing to profitably invest in the business were quickly found, and in June 1903 the Ford Automobile Society was founded. Thus began the history of the company. The founder himself got a quarter of the company, the position of director and responsible for all production. The founders collected 28 thousand dollars.
Henry Ford and racing driver Barney Oldfield in the legendary 999
Subsequently, Ford bought back the shares for the money he earned and brought his share to 59%. And in 1919, when he began to have disagreements with shareholders over economic policy, the remaining 41% was bought by his son Edzel for a substantial sum of $ 75 million.
First steps
The history of the development of the Ford society began to be written with the "Model A". She had a two-cylinder engine of 8 hp. and chain transmission. Parts for the machine were produced by partners, and the company was already engaged in assembly. Cars immediately gained a reputation for being simple and reliable machines. Already in the first year, 1,708 copies were sold and the company's business went well.
Model "A"
In 1906, at the expense of working capital, the company built a 3-storey building, began to produce a number of parts on its own.
In the process of manufacturing and selling products, Ford came to the conclusion that the market was in dire need of a cheap mass car. Due to the simplification of the design, the streamlining of prices, sales volumes in 1907-1911 increased significantly. The company has already assembled more than 100 cars a day.
The number of employees in the company reached 4110 people, the number of cars produced - 45 thousand. The company has branches in London and Australia. Ford has already traded in many countries around the world.
The history of the Ford company has developed according to the methods of its founder. The company's machines were designed less complex than those of competitors, the company did not use foreign capital, all profits were invested back in production, and a favorable balance always made it possible to have working capital.
Model T
According to Ford, the car should be simple and affordable. He embodied his idea in the development of the "Model T", which the company began to produce since 1908. It absorbed everything that the inventor had worked out over the previous time, plus vanadium compounds in the materials.
Tin Lizzie (Model "T")
"Tin Lizzy" (Tin Lizzy), as it was nicknamed by motorists, became the first mass-produced car. In 1914, the company celebrated the release of the anniversary 10 millionth copy. The car was produced until 1928.
Conveyor
Since 1913, Ford began to gradually introduce conveyor production cars. The results were stunning. For example, engine assembly time was reduced from 9.9 to 5.9 working hours.
The introduction of the Ford assembly line reduced the price of the Tin Lisa from $850 to $290. In 1914, Henry set the country's highest minimum wage for workers, $5 a day.
An innovative production method at the time - assembly line
How the lineup has changed as the company has evolved
Today, the concern manufactures more than 70 car models. Consider the main instances model range Ford cars motor company.
After the drop in sales of the Model T, Ford closed all production for six months, having carried out the necessary reconstruction to switch to the new Ford A model (the prototype of the Soviet Pobeda), which has more perfect characteristics. This car was the first to have safety glass.
Model A 1929
Again ahead of the competition, Ford was the first to begin production of station wagon models in 1929.
Competitors, meanwhile, have mastered the production of V-6 engines. The company's shareholders offered to begin production of their counterparts, but Ford insisted on developing a more advanced engine. So in April 1932, a new V-shaped 8-cylinder engine installed on the Model B was presented to the public. The engine was called flathead - in translation: “flathead”. It was quite compact, worked quietly and, thanks to the small number of parts, very reliable and easy to maintain. Only a few years later, competitors were able to organize the production of cars with an engine of this type.
Model B 1932
When America began hostilities, all the efforts of the company were directed to the production of military products. The concern produced bombers, aircraft engines, tanks, anti-tank guns, trucks and jeeps, and other military equipment.
In September 1945, 82-year-old Henry Ford resigned as head of the corporation and transferred the business to his grandson. Two years later, on April 7, 1947, he dies on his estate. At that time, his fortune was equal to $ 199 billion, adjusted for inflation.
Fairlane
In 1948, the first Ford F-Series from a series of full-size pickups was released. The car has become the most popular pickup truck and one of the best-selling in the world. More than 34 million copies of this series have been sold.
F-100 1948
In the 60s, Ford, following the sports and youth trend that prevailed in America, switched to the production of inexpensive sports cars. In 1964 one of the most best cars company - Mustang, named after the famous American aircraft P-51. Equipped with a new engine, with a bright and stylish design, the car was a huge success. After 1.5 years, a million copies were sold. It is still a cult car.
Mustang first generation. Read all about the Ford Mustang on the site pro-mustang.ru
Following the Mustang, the production of the Ford Transit commercial vehicle began. Since 1965, more than 6 million cars have been sold in seven generations.
In 1968, the production of Ford Escort started - one of the most successful car models Ford. Over 35 years of production, almost 20 million pieces have been sold.
Escort 1968-1973
1976 was marked by the release of the B-class model - Ford Fiesta. It is still produced with success in many countries around the world. Its circulation is more than 13 million units in 6 generations.
Since 1998, the Ford Focus, a popular sedan, has been produced. Today, the model is already in its third generation. More than 9.2 million cars sold. The car is popular in Russia, where it has been assembled since 1999. In 2010 Focus was the best-selling foreign car in our country.
Focus 1998
Logo evolution
The oval badge known today did not appear on Ford cars immediately.
The history of the logo dates back to 1903. The first emblem featured the inscription “Ford Motor Co.”, made in an outlandish font and framed by an oval.
Three years later, the inscription was reduced and made "flying". It was supposed to symbolize the rapid movement of the company forward. The emblem existed until 1910.
The Ford trademark was registered with the US Patent Office in 1909.
In 1912 the logo takes new form- a bizarre triangle, on the sides of which wings are spread. As conceived by the designers, the design of the emblem meant elegance and reliability, and with them speed and lightness.
The prototype of the current sign appeared in 1927 - a blue oval with the inscription Ford inside. Until the 70s, it was not installed on all cars of the brand.
Since 1976, an oval with a blue background and a familiar silver lettering has been placed on the radiator and rear door of all cars manufactured by the corporation.
In 2003, on the eve of the centenary of the corporation, the logo was added with subtle features of the original emblems. The iconic oval badge is still easily recognizable and represents high quality and the reliability of a famous brand.
"The color of the car can be any, provided that it is black".
There is an opinion that this phrase about the black color is not mentioned by him by chance. All "T" models were in the same color. Ford chose to paint them black only because that color was the cheapest.
To the journalist's question: "Which car do you consider the best?", the great designer replied:
"The best car is a new car!"
"I never say, 'I need you to do this.' I say, "I wonder if you can do it."
“More often people give up than they fail.”
“Only two stimuli make people work: thirst wages and fear of losing her.
The current state of the company and its prospects
The corporation is still one of the leading automakers in the world. Apart from cars, trucks and buses under the Ford brand, which are sold worldwide, the concern's portfolio includes the brands Lincoln and Troller (Brazil). He also owns shares in Kia Motor Corporation" And " Mazda Motor corporation".
In the early 2000s, the company's crisis was significant. However, after Alan Mulally came to the leadership of the corporation, the activities of the giant automaker began to make a profit again. Restructuring carried out, transition to new strategy corporations for the production of cars, uniform for all markets.
Alan Mulally
Financial position
At the end of 2017, Ford's net profit increased by 65% and reached $ 7.6 billion, revenue increased by 3% and equals almost $ 157 billion. Profit for the last quarter amounted to 2.4 billion dollars, a year earlier there were losses.
According to the forecasts of American experts in 2018, the company's profit is expected to decline. Revenue is projected at $142 billion.
In Russia, there is an increase in credit purchases of crossovers and SUVs, especially Ford Explorer And Ford Kuga. In 2017, their share in the company's sales increased to 31%, which provided the Ford Sollers JV, which represents Ford's interests in Russia, with a 16% increase in sales. Sold in 2017 commercial vehicles Ford brands are 68% more than last year.
explorer
The company expects further growth in SUV sales. It is planned to increase production at the enterprises of Tatarstan with the simultaneous updating of some models. The firm lays big hopes to strengthen positions in the segment of light commercial vehicles.
Plans
This year, the concern plans to introduce 23 new models to the international market. In general, the company has a strategy to reduce
number of car models. The main focus will be on the development of new trucks and SUVs.
The corporation's mission is to continuously improve the company's products to meet the needs of our customers, to enable the company to prosper and to provide profit to its shareholders and owners.
The history of this legendary automaker began back in 1903, when Henry Ford founded a small company with eleven partners. Ford Motor Company. Start-up capital was $ 28,000, which was raised thanks to various investors. Ford already had the richest experience in engineering, motor racing and business. True, his first company Detroit Automobile(1899-1900) went bankrupt, having managed, however, before that to release several racing monsters, which simply did not exist on the tracks of those years.
Negative sales experience is fabulous expensive cars was not in vain - Ford has now decided to start producing cars that would be available to the average consumer. The first product was the Ford Model A, a small "gasoline sidecar". And in 1908, the legendary Ford T was born, which was destined to "put all of America behind the wheel." The car was initially quite affordable, and after the introduction in 1913 at factories Ford Motor Company conveyor assembly, has become even cheaper. In Europe, the First rumbled with might and main World War, and in the USA every ten seconds another Ford T model left the factory gates. The concept of "Ford conveyor" will become a household word, a symbol of monotonous and almost slave labor (especially in the USSR).
Ford T quickly becomes a real legend. The people dubbed him "Tin Lizzy" ("Tin Lizzy"). The car was produced in the most various modifications bodies (their number was not just large, but huge - the car was adapted literally for everything, from a pleasure roadster and a two-door sedan to a tow truck and a cattle carrier). Ford T was as simple as possible and, as a result, very reliable. A joke went around the country, about how a certain owner of this car repaired his junk miracle by buying a variety of junk from a junk dealer. By the way, Ford understood perfectly well how important it was to provide consumers with spare parts and paid a lot of attention to this issue, which once again had a positive effect on the popularity of the "T" model. "Tin Lizzie" was produced until 1927.
In addition to the legendary “T”, other models rolled off the assembly lines, many of which served as role models for other companies. So exactly Ford cars formed the basis of the products that he began to produce GAS.
The Second World War brought with it military orders. The production of civilian cars was stopped, all production capacity put into production military equipment, including tanks and aircraft. Henry Ford was not considered a trustworthy citizen, having managed to earn a lot of unflattering characteristics. He openly expressed his pro-Nazi views, was a staunch anti-Semite and a member of the Ku Klux Klan. However, he was also the owner of the largest factories in the country, so the military turned a blind eye to his past. However, in 1946, Ford will still be awarded prestigious awards for services to industry and the country. It happened just before the death of the founder Ford Motor Company, which overtook him in 1947, after which the management of the company passed into the hands of Henry Ford II - the grandson of Henry Ford.
Ford's death did not affect the development of the company in any way. She continued to develop at an accelerated pace, turning into a truly respected and even legendary. One after another, models appear that in the very first years of production become very popular, real bestsellers, experiencing reincarnations, one after another (a classic example is Mustang). For many Americans (and not only for them) Ford has become synonymous with the concept of "great car".
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| Ford Thunderbird 1964 (image from here) |
Headquarters Ford Motor Company is located near Detroit, in Dearborn, Michigan, USA (Dearborn, Michigan, USA). The company is one of the three largest car manufacturers in the world. The widest range of products is produced - cars different sizes, appointments and cost. great attention given and various types racing. Representative offices and factories of the company are scattered around the world.
Brands
In 1958 Ford Motor Company produced cars under the brand Edsel. It was an attempt to offer the buyer a prestigious, but fairly affordable car. The attempt is extremely unsuccessful - in 1960 production Edsel that enjoyed extremely little demand was curtailed. Ford lost millions of dollars on it, and Edsel became synonymous with failure.
Acquired in 1986 English stamp Aston Martin Lagonda . The purchase was not very successful and in 2007 they got rid of it by selling it to a consortium of investors, led by the company Prodrive.
Also unsuccessful was the purchase in 1990 Jaguar and in 2000 Land Rover . They went to the Indian Tata Motors in 2008.
Things did not go too well in the case of Volvo Cars, acquired in 1999 and sold in 2010 by the Chinese Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.
From the brand founded in 1939 Mercury, under which cars of the middle price category were produced, it was also decided to refuse. The brand ceased to exist in 2010.
The brand has existed for several years. Merkur- from 1985 to 1989. It was sold mainly in the US and Canada, although a few models still reached Europe.
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