History of Saab: Climbing the Ladder of Success
When people talk about the most impressive cars in the world, they can’t help but mention the brand Ford. It cannot be denied that Ford automobiles are distinguished throughout the globe for their excellent quality, and whenever there is a vehicle purchase to be made, Ford is definitely one of the brands people highly consider.
Being the third biggest automobile manufacturer in the world and one of the most successful American multinational corporations, Ford Motor Company has really gone a long way. However, like other big multinational names, Ford had its own humble beginnings. Its accomplishments did not come overnight. If truth be told, before it climbed up the ladder of success, the company had some apprehensions. As a company that was just about to start, Ford was far from considering that it will turn out to be one of the most profitable business companies in the world.
First Few Steps
1903 was the beginning of this famous automobile company. With investors contributing mere $28,000, the 40-year old Henry Ford soundly laid the foundation of Ford Motor Corporation.
In its first years, Ford manufactured a wide array of vehicles – from 1903’s Model A to 1908’s Model S. The rate of production was very slow during the early years. In a day, very few cars were assembled evidently because only two to three laborers were working on one car. Their assembly shop was just a simple rented factory in Detroit, Michigan, and the automotive components were just brought in by other companies.
1909 was the year the first Model T’s had its first full production. Around 18,000 Model T’s were produced at Piquette Road Manufacturing Plant, a factory owned by Ford. Since demands for cars increased, Ford Company expanded its production area and moved to Highland Park, where more or less 70,000 Model T’s were manufactured in 1911.
Taking Production to the Next Level
In view of the fact that Ford car demands were persistently increasing, the production team at Highland Parkland industrial unit was provided with a new manufacturing technique called Moving Assembly Line. In 1913, this method permitted individual laborers to settle on one place to carry out one task again and again on every vehicle, making production faster and more efficient. Because of this, Ford Company had an edge over its competitors, and its vehicles become more reasonably priced.
Expanding Vehicle Lines
The first vehicles offered by Ford Company were released in 1903. The first 19 letters of the English alphabet were used to name the first various car models. Because these cars became popular in the automotive market, Ford made an effort to expand its business. The Model T was introduced in 1908. After making very big sales on this model, Ford Motor Company became a well-established automotive business known around the world. Broadening its scope, this giant company got hold of the Lincoln Motor Company, which associated Ford with luxury cars. In 1930s, Ford Company began to create the Mercury Division, which was responsible in handling mid-priced vehicles.
Catching the World’s Attention
Having gained a good name and a more than decent number of dedicated customers, Ford Motor Company opened itself to the public. In 1956, the company had around 350,000 stockholders. Furthermore, in the 1960s, it expanded globally. It established branches in Europe in 1967. Strengthening the Ford operations in Canada, US and Mexico, Ford’ s North American Automotive Operations was launched in 1971.
Though its beginnings were simple, Ford Motor Company made an extremely significant progress through the years. From its modest three-man assembly team to technologically advanced production equipment, the development of the company and its products can be effortlessly noticed. Its vast collection of automotive names, which include Ford, Mercury, Mazda, Lincoln, Land Rover, Volvo, and Jaguar, proves that Ford has continued its effort to provide quality vehicles to people all over the world.
