Ford - an American automobile company, producer of cars under the brands «Ford».
The fourth world car maker by volume of output for the entire period of existence; now - the third in the US market after GM and Toyota, and the second in Europe after Volkswagen.
It occupies the 10th place in the list of the largest public companies in the US Fortune 500, as of 2011, and 25 in the list of Global 500, 2011 the world's largest corporations of the year (2011).
The company's headquarters is located in Dearborn (a suburb of Detroit, Michigan).
The company was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford, who created it, getting to business development $ 28,000 from five investors. Ford has gained notoriety as the world's first to use a classic car assembly conveyor.
First gained mass recognition model, manufactured by the company, was the Ford Model T, is available in the years 1908-1927.
In the late 1920s the Soviet leadership with the company was signed the contract for assistance in the construction of car plant in Nizhny Novgorod. The first cars of the new Soviet car factory - GAZ-A and GAZ-AA were licensed copies of machines the company "Ford".
At the end of 1930 the company did not enjoy the confidence of the US military because of the pro-Nazi founder unconcealed sympathy. In 1930 Ford built on the territory of Nazi Germany's production, which released for the needs of the Wehrmacht 12 thousand. Track and 48 thousand. Units wheeled vehicles. The head of the company was awarded the highest award of the Third Reich. However, with the US entry into World War II the company began producing military trucks and jeeps for US troops (not its design - Ford GPW was an adapted version of the Willys MB).
In the mid-2000s because of the tough competition in the global auto market, Ford has suffered a serious financial crisis. In 2006, the president of the company became Alan Mulally, which sold units Aston Martin and Volvo Cars, had a successful restructuring of launching a new strategy of "One Ford» - under which Ford should gradually start production of global vehicles that are common to all markets, which brought the company to profitability.
Since 1922, FoMoCo is the owner of the brand Lincoln, underneath it is still successfully produced luxury cars.
In 1939, Ford Motor Company founded the Mercury brand, made mid-range cars for him, but from it was abandoned and in 2010 the brand ceased to exist.
British brand Aston Martin was acquired in 1986. In the II quarter of 2007, Ford Motor Company sold the unit Aston Martin to a consortium of investors for $ 925 million.
Acquired in 1990 by Jaguar for $ 2.5 billion in 2000 and Land Rover for 2.73 billion dollars moved to the Indian Tata Motors in 2008. Both brands have cost $ 2.3 billion.
Volvo Cars was acquired in 1999. March 29, 2010 the Chinese company Zhejiang Geely announced it has reached agreement on the acquisition of Volvo Cars from Ford Motor Co. for $ 1.8 billion. All intellectual property rights in the development of the Swedish company, is scheduled to remain in the Volvo, but Geely will have full access to them. The deal was closed in early August 2010.
Also, Ford Motor Company has equity interest in other companies such as Kia Motors Corporation and Mazda Motor Corporation.
Ford Motor Company has for more than 100 years of family controlled by Ford, and is thus one of the largest companies under family control in the world. At the same time, Ford Motor Company is a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Family Ford in October 2010 owned 40% of the voting shares of Ford, the rest were in free float.
Chairman of the Board - William Ford. President - Alan Mulally.