• Henry Ford builds his first vehicle -- the Quadricycle -- on a buggy frame with 4 bicycle wheels.

• June 16 - Henry Ford and 11 investors establish Ford Motor Co. with John S. Gray as President and Henry Ford as Vice President. Stockholders are: Henry Ford, Alexander Malcomson, John W. Anderson, C.H. Bennett, James Couzens, Horace E. Dodge, John F. Dodge, Vernon C. Fry, John S. Gray, Horace H. Rackham, Albert Strelow and Charles J. Woodall The company's cars are built in a converted wagon factory in Detroit.

• June 17 - Articles of incorporation for the formation of the Ford Motor Company are filed with the State of Michigan in Lansing.

• July 23 - Company sells its first car, a two-cylinder Model A, assembled at Mack Avenue Plant in Detroit to a physician.

• 1,708 cars are produced.

1904

• August 17 - Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd., receives its Provincial Charter to do business in Walkerville, Ontario, near Windsor.

• December - Production begins at Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit

1906

• October 22 - Henry Ford succeeds John Gray as company president; acquires majority of stock.

• Ford becomes the top selling brand in the US, with 8,729 cars produced.

1907

• Georgia Boyer is hired by Ford to order spare parts, becoming one of the first women to work at the fledgling automaker.

1908

• October 1 - First Model T made available to the public. Continues until 1927, 15 million are produced. 

• October 1 - First overseas sales branch opens in Paris, France.

1909

• October 1 - Sales company opens in London, England.

1910

• January 1 - Manufacturing operations transferred to Highland Park, Michigan Plant

1911

• October 1 - Ford opens assembly plant in Trafford Park, Manchester, England, its first outside North America.

1912

• Shojiro Kawasaki is the first Japanese to be hired to work at Henry Ford's residence. He was considered a company employee.

• April 1 - First experiments with assembly line begin at Highland Park Plant. Early trials with assembly of components like magnetos and transmissions are followed by development of chassis assembly line in August 1913. By October the world's first moving assembly plant begins operating at Highland Park, making Model T production 8 times faster. .

• September 25 - Contract signed to sell Model T in China.

• October 1 - Contracts signed to sell Model T in Indonesia, Siam and Dutch East Indies.

• December 31 - Sales operations begin in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

1914

• The first African-American -- William Perry -- is hired at Ford's Highland Park powerhouse.

• January 5 - Ford offers to pay $5 for an eight-hour workday (double the existing rate) for male factory workers at Model T plant in Highland Park, replacing $2.34 a day for nine hours. Thousands of people apply. Adopted for women workers in October 1916.

1915

• December 10 - 1 millionth Ford car produced

1915-1920

• Aware that some Detroit merchants were raising prices to take advantage of the high wages at Ford, the company established 11 commissaries and stores inside plants to sell work gear and food at lower prices. Eventually, Ford was selling shoes, fish, bread and cheese cheaper than other stores.

1916

• June 1 - Ford establishes Automobiles Ford (France) and announces plans to build an assembly plant in Bordeaux.

1917

• April 1 - Construction begins on Rouge Plant in Dearborn, Michigan

• July 2 - First Ford truck introduced, the Model TT, powered by Model T engine

• September 4 - Henry Ford II born to Eleanor and Edsel Ford.

• October 17 - Fordson, world's first mass-produced tractor, begins production in Dearborn. Only produced in North America until Feb 1928, but continues in Ireland 

1918

• January 4 - Construction of massive Rouge automotive manufacturing complex begins.

1919

• January 1 - Edsel Ford succeeds his father, Henry Ford, as President. They become sole owners of the company by purchasing stock of the other shareholders

• July 9 - Present-day Ford Motor Company incorporated in Delaware.

1921

1922

• Feb. 4 - Ford Motor Company purchases Lincoln Motor Company for $8 million. Edsel Ford named President of Lincoln

1925

1926

• Ford Australia is founded in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

• January 15 - Ford Airport dedicated in Dearborn

• May 1 - Five-day, 40-hour work week adopted for factory workers. Adopted for office workers on August 1, 1926

• June 11 - Ford Tri-Motor makes first flight from Ford Airport. Produced until 1933

1927

• May 26 - Model T production ceases

• Nov 1 - Ford introduces the next generation Model A from the Rouge complex and production begins. Continues until Feb 28, 1932

1929

• Ford regains production crown, with production peaking at 1.5 million cars

1930

• Ford and Chevy brands begin to alternate as US production leaders, in battle for automobile sales during the Great Depression.

• October 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.

• April 15 - Ford closes Berlin plant.

• October 1 - Production begins at Ford's Dagenham, England, plant, Europe's largest factory.

1932

• February 19 - Ford launches its first car designed specifically for Europe, the Model Y, starting in England.

• March 9 - First Ford one-piece cast-iron V8-engine-equipped car built.

1933

• June 7 - Last of 199 Ford Tri-Motor planes built.

• June 12 - Edison Institute (now called Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village) opens to the public in Dearborn.

1935

• Committee for Industrial Organization formed by former coal miner John L. Lewis unionizes workers in mass-production industries. The group was later renamed the Congress of Industrial Organizations in 1938.

1936

• January 17 - Henry and Edsel Ford establish Ford Foundation, fund it with company stock.

• April 16 - Ford Rotunda opens in Dearborn. Built for 1933-34 Chicago World's Fair, took 18 months to dismantle and rebuild as visitor center.

• Lincoln Zephyr is introduced.

1937

• January 18 - Ford builds its 25-millionth car.

• May 26 -  "Battle of the Overpass" between UAW organizers and Ford representatives

1938

• January 1 - A car is built at Cologne every three minutes. The plant operates at full capacity.

• Mercury division is formed to fill the gap between economical Fords and luxury Lincolns. Mercury production begins October 8.

1939

• October 3 - Lincoln Continental introduced.

1941

• March 1 - Ford builds first general purpose (G.P., or "jeep") vehicle for U.S. military at Rouge plant.

• June 20 & 21 - Ford Motor Company signs its first closed-shop contract with UAW-CIO, covering 123,000 North American employees

• Lincoln Continental is introduced.

1942

• February 10 - World War II halts civilian car production, diverting factory capacity to producing B-24 Liberator bombers, tanks, and other products for the war effort.

• November 28 - First complete bomber, (B-24), built at Willow Run. Production continues through June 28, 1945

1943

• May 26 - Edsel Ford dies at the age of 49. Henry Ford re-elected and resumes presidency on June 1 for the duration of the war.

1944

• January 22 - Henry Ford II elected vice president.

• 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.)

• July 3 - Ford passenger car production resumes

• Sep 21 - Edsel Ford's son, Henry Ford II, named President of the company

• October 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.

• The Whiz Kids – former US Army Air Force officers – hired to revitalize the Company.

• Automobile production resumes.

1947

• Ford agrees to labor contract that raises wages by 11.5 cents and establishes six paid holidays.

• April 7 - Henry Ford dies at Fair Lane, his Dearborn, Michigan estate, at the age of 83. An estimated 7 million Americans mourned his passing. Henry Ford II becomes chairman.

• F-1 Truck introduced

1948

• January 30 - Benson Ford elected a company vice president and general manager of Lincoln-Mercury Division.

• April 26 - Production begins on 1949-model Ford, first new postwar design.

• June 3 - William Clay Ford elected a director.

1949

• January 1 - A special version of the Taunus and a so-called rapid truck are launched.

• The '49 Ford introduces all-new post-war era cars. The "Woody" station wagon is introduced.

1950

• January 1 - The export of German Ford vehicles is resumed.

• March 1 - Ford begins providing auto industry's first pension plan for hourly workers. The maximum monthly benefit, including Social Security, was $100 a month for a worker who retired in 1950 after 30 years of service. In 1950, the plan paid out $1 million to 1,800 retirees.

• August 1 - One-millionth Mercury, one of 293,658 automobiles manufactured by the division this year, rolls off the line.

• Sept. 7 - Ford and the UAW agree to an initial cost-of-living salary adjustment (COLA) plan for hourly and salaried employees.

1951

• January 1 - In Frankfurt, Ford takes part in the first International Motor Show (IAA) since the war.

1952

• August 31 - Henry Ford Trade School closes after 35 years.

• October 9 - William Clay Ford named general manager of Special Products Operations.

1953

• May 7 - Ford Archives dedicated at Fair Lane (former Henry Ford Estate).

• May 20 - Research & Engineering Center in Dearborn dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower via closed-circuit television from the White House.

• June 16 - Ford Rotunda, closed to the public during World War II, reopens for the company's 50th anniversary.

• September 29 - Groundbreaking ceremony for the 12-story World Headquarters building in Dearborn.

1954

• October 22 - Ford introduces Thunderbird as a personal luxury car with a V8.

• Ford begins crash testing, and opens Arizona Proving Grounds.

1955

• Jan 25 - Ernest Breech appointed Chairman

• April 15 - Separate Lincoln and Mercury divisions established; Special Products Operations becomes a division.

• June 8 - Ford adopts Supplemental Employment Benefits (SUB) program to provide income in case of layoff.

• October 4 - Continental Mark II introduced.

1956

• $10,000 Lincoln Continental Mark II introduced

• January 1 - Ford buys a planned plant site in Wulfrath, Germany.

• January 17 - Ford Motor Company becomes a publicly-held company with public sale of common stock. Listed on NYSE on March 7.

• February 1 - Savings & Stock Investment Program (SSIP) initiated for all eligible salaried employees.

• May 10 - New Ford Motor Company subsidiary, Aeronutronics Systems, established, specializing in defense weapons and aerospace technology

• September 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

• August 31 - Lincoln and Mercury divisions recombined.

• September 4 - Public introduction of Edsel, a new medium-priced car, in the fall of 1957 as 1958 models.

• Ford is top selling brand, with 1.68 million automobiles produced. .

1958

• January 1 - Mercury, Lincoln and Edsel divisions are joined to form M-E-L (Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln) Division.

1959

• April 29 - Fifty-millionth vehicle built.

• August 24 - Ford Motor Credit Company formed to provide automotive financing.

• November 19 - Ford announces it will discontinue Edsel car line, withdraws the 1960 model Edsel's from the market in November. Lincoln-Mercury Division is re-formed.

1960

• Ford Galaxie and Ford Falcon introduced.

• March 17 - Ford introduces Mercury Comet, first upscale compact car.

• July 13 - Ernest Breech resigns as Chairman. Henry Ford II elected Chairman in addition to his Presidency

• September 29 - Ford Econoline series, including van, pickup and station wagon bus, introduced.

• November 9 - Henry Ford II resigns Presidency and becomes CEO, in addition to remaining Chairman. Robert McNamara is appointed President of Ford by Chairman Henry Ford II, but resigns Jan 1, 1961 to become Secretary of Defense for John F. Kennedy.

1961

• Jan 1 - John Dykstra elected President

• April 18 - Ford Parts Division formed (MOTORCRAFT).

• October 3 - UAW call first company-wide strike against Ford Motor Company since the first contract was signed in 1941. Strike ends October 20 with 3-year agreement

• October 12 - Ford Fairlane introduced.

• December 11 - Ford Motor Company acquires Philco Corp.

1962

• July 2 - Thirty-millionth V-8 engine produced.

• November 9 - Fire destroys Ford Rotunda. (Total visitor attendance since opening in Dearborn in 1936: 18,019,340.)

1963

• January 7 - Sixty-millionth vehicle produced.

• May 1 - Arjay Miller named President

1964

• January 1 - A new body plant for the Taunus 20M becomes operational in Cologne.

• April 17 - Ford Mustang and GT40 introduced.

• 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.

• May 30 - Lotus-Ford racer wins Indianapolis 500.

• Ford brand US sales exceed 2 million units.

1966

• March 2 - One-millionth Mustang built in less than two years from start of production.

• September 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

• March 8 - Ford dedicates new Automotive Safety Research Center and Service Research Center.

• May 3 - Seventy-millionth U.S.-built vehicle produced.

• June 14 - Ford of Europe established to coordinate development manufacture and sale of cars and trucks in Europe and Africa.

• Sept. 6 - UAW strikes Ford for 66 days. (ends October. 22).

• After 1967 race riots in Detroit, Henry Ford II issues a company directive making affirmative action a top priority. Ford and other automakers begin actively recruiting in inner cities.

1968

• Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen was named president of Ford Motor, a week after he quit as executive vice president of GM. He was fired 19 months later.

• Arjay Miller becomes vice chairman of the board.

• March 25 - One-millionth Lincoln Continental built.

• April 5 - Continental Mark III introduced.

1969

• April 17 - Ford Maverick introduced. Lincoln-Mercury introduces the European-built Capri at New York Auto Show.

• September 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.

• December 10 - Company announces plans to develop 2,300 acres in Dearborn for commercial-residential use.

1970

• Ford and UAW agree to new "30 and out" benefits that allow workers with 30 years of service to retire with full benefits.

• January 1 - Henry Ford II opens the Saarlouis plant where Escort production begins.

• January 1 - The five millionth transmission is produced at the Cologne plant.

• April 12 - Henry Ford II goes to Russia for a series of automotive industry discussions.

• August 4 - Ford Motor Land Development Co. incorporated in Delaware as a wholly owned subsidiary.

• August 11 - Ford Pinto introduced.

• August 17 - Asia-Pacific Auto Operations established.

• December 10 - Lee Iacocca was named president. He remained with Ford until October 15, 1978, when he left to become president of the Chrysler Corporation the following month.

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).

• May 24 - Ford Fiera introduced (produced in Philippines for Asia-Pacific Markets).

• December 19 - Ford Lio Ho Motor Company established to assemble automobiles and manufacture engines in Taiwan.

1973

• Ford US brand sales reaches all time high of 2.35 million vehicles produced.

• Ford begins offering dental coverage to hourly and salary employees.

• January 1 - The six millionth engine is produced in Cologne.

• January 1 - The one millionth Capri built in Saarlouis.

• September 21 - Ford Mustang II introduced.

1974

• January 1 - Ford becomes the first German manufacturer to double the warranty period for all cars to twelve months or 20,000 kilometers.

• January 7 - Edsel Ford II joins the company as product analyst.

• July 5 - Ford Guest Center opens on the 50th anniversary of Rouge plant tours.

• July 29 - Hyatt Regency Dearborn Hotel, part of new Fairlane Town Center development, has "topping out" ceremony

1975

• June 20 - "Topping out" ceremonies held for first of four 39-story office towers in Detroit's new Renaissance Center.

1976

• January 1 - 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.

• January 1 - Ford produces its one millionth Transit in Germany.

• March 11 - Marian Heiskell becomes first woman elected to the board; (retires May 1, 1989).

• September 3 - New Ford Fiesta introduced in Europe; starting in Germany

• October 19 - Eleanor Clay Ford, widow of Edsel Ford, dies at age 80.

• October 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.

• April 15 - Henry Ford II presides at dedication of Renaissance Center.

• October 8 - Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr introduced.

• October 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.

• June 16 - Ford Motor Company marks its 75th anniversary with observances at World Headquarters and around the globe.

• July 27 - Benson Ford, director and vice president, dies

• September 14 - Philip Caldwell elected company president.

• September 28 - Henry Ford II and David Rockefeller announce Phase Two of Renaissance Center

• October 15 - Lee Iacocca leaves company.

• December 14 - One-hundred-fifty-millionth vehicle built.

1979

• January 1 - Ford takes a 25% equity stake in Mazda.

• October 1 - Henry Ford II retires as CEO. He retires as Chairman in 1980. Philip Caldwell promoted from Vice Chairman to CEO and President on October 1, 1979, and becomes Chairman in 1980.

1981

• Lincoln Town Car is introduced as the company's top-of-the-line model. Ford Escort is introduced in the US.

1980

• Donald Peterson replaces Caldwell as President and CEO

1982

• Feb. 13 - Ford and UAW reach historic pact embracing more labor-management cooperation. Profit-sharing plan established.

• Ford employees hold first celebration of Black History month.

1985

• Feb. 1 - Philip Caldwell retires and Donald Peterson becomes Chairman. Harold "Red" Poling becomes President.

• Ford Taurus introduced with revolutionary "aero design" styling.

1986/1987

• Ford Motor Company earnings exceed those of General Motors for the first time since 1926

1987

• Ford Motor Company earns record profits, $4.63 billion.

• Ford acquires Aston Martin Lagonda and Hertz Rent-a-Car.

• Sept. 29 - Henry Ford II dies

1990

• Donald Peterson retires. Harold Poling named new Chairman. Philip Benton named President

• The Ford Motor Company acquires Jaguar for $2.5 billion.

• Mazda MX-5 Miata unveiled.

• Ford Motor Company’s largest 1-year loss ever, $2.3 billion.

• Ford Motor Company’s QualityCare system is created to meet the diverse “aftersales” needs of private Ford owners and Ford Dealerships.

• Ford and Volkswagen embark upon a joint venture in “AutoEuropa,” an organization which will produce multipurpose vehicles at Setuba, Portugal.

• Ford Explorer introduced, making the rural/recreational SUV into a popular family vehicle.

• Ford’s F-Series pickup truck becomes the best selling vehicle in the United States for its tenth consecutive year.

• Ford’s Taurus is the first car to have an environmentally friendly air-conditioning system [chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) are neither created nor released].

• Ford Motor Company acquires 50% of Mazda Motor Manufacturing, renaming it AutoAlliance International.

• Ford Motor Company is honored to claim five of the eight top selling vehicles in the United States.

• Ford President Philip Benton, Jr. retires.

• Alex Trotman, a key player in establishing Ford of Europe, becomes Chairman and CEO of the Ford Motor Company. Almost immediately, Trotman begins efforts to “globalize” the corporation.

• The first formal Ford Dealerships are placed inside Mainland China. Later, Ford China Operations is created, securing the establishment of manufacturing and assembly centers inside China.

• Development begins on a marketable natural gas-powered vehicle.

• Ford Motor Company is the first auto maker to have dual airbags as standard equipment in most of its cars.

• The first Ford vehicle assembly begins in India.

• Ford acquires Hertz, the world’s largest car rental company.

• As part of Chairman and CEO Alex Trotman’s plans to “globalize” Ford Motor Company, Ford 2000 is initiated. Ford 2000 will “combine the power, resources, and reach of a world company with the immediacy, intimacy, agility, and spirit of a small one”.

• The Ford Motor Company, in keeping with its globalization goals, develops a new family-car designed to fit global needs. In North America, it is marketed as the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique, while in Europe, Taiwan, and the Middle East, the automobile is the Mondeo.

• Following the launch of Ford Dealerships inside Russia , a Sales and Marketing Office is sited in Moscow .

• Ford is the first and only Auto Company to certify all of its plants (140 plants in 26 different countries) under the provisions of ISO 14001—the world environmental standard.

• The 250 millionth Ford Vehicle is assembled.

• Research begun in 1993, leads to the first fleet of natural gas-powered cars to be sold commercially. These automobiles were then marketed to New York City as taxis.

• The Ford Motor Company creates Visteon Automotive Systems to design, develop, and deliver fully integrated systems for the world market.

• Ford announces plans to transfer ownership of Budget Rent-A-Car to Team Rental Group.

• Stemming from the successful Ford Schools Construction Program, Ford of Mexico’s Quality Education Program begins to provide a myriad of educational and developmental services to students, parents, and teachers.

• Ford Motor Company and the Mobil Corporation ally in the ongoing search for alternative, and cleaner, fuel sources.

• Ford reports record $6.9 billion in earnings, thus allowing employees to earn record profit sharing at average of $6,000.

• Ford’s Taurus takes Winston Cup Victory.

• With the environment in mind, Ford rallies with Ballard and Daimler-Benz automotive groups to develop fuel-cell technology.

• Side impact airbags are introduced into Ford’s North American car lineup.

• The United States Postal Service awards a $206.4 million contract to Ford for 10, 000 “alternative fuel” delivery trucks.

• Ford teams with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to bring artificial intelligence (AI) into the automobile sector. The AI is designed to improve fuel economy by monitoring fuel combustion rates.

• Major redesign of nearly all Ford, Mercury, Lincoln and Jaguar models. Ford introduces its first two full-size SUVs, the Expedition and the company's first luxury SUV, the Lincoln Navigator.

1999

• Ford and UAW reach agreement that will allow Visteon auto parts unit to be divested as long as Ford agrees to keep Visteon workers on its payrolls.

• Continuing its quest to globalize, The Ford Motor Company launches IKON, the first car specifically designed for India. Ford’s IKON is assembled at its “state-of-the-art” plant in Marimali Nagar.

• After six years at Ford, Alex Trotman retires and Jacques Nasser, formerly of Ford Australia and Ford of Europe, becomes President.

• The Ford Motor Company’s Board of Directors elects William Clay Ford, Jr., a great-grandson of Henry Ford, Chairman of the Board.

• Internationally recognized for the highest of safety and quality standards, the Swedish carmaker Volvo becomes a member of the Ford Family for $6.45 billion.

• To start an automotive e-business integrated supply chain, Ford joins with the Oracle Corporation.

• Ford seeks the acquisition of 51% interest in Norway’s PIVCO Industries, the maker of TH!NK, a dual seat electric-powered “city car.”

• Ford Motor Company combines Aston Martin, Jaguar, Lincoln, and Volvo under the umbrella of the Premier Auto Group.

• As a companion to QualityCare, Ford purchases the British auto-service chain Kwik-Fit for $1.6 billion.

• In addition to the certification of its own plants as ISO 14001-friendly, Ford requires all suppliers with manufacturing facilities to adhere to that same standard.

• Ford produces the first production vehicle to comply with California’s strict LEV II Emissions Requirements.

• The Lincoln LS is named Motor Trends’ Car of the Year.

• The 1914 Ford Model T is named the Car of the Century at a gala event in Las Vegas, Nevada.

• Ford establishes Jaguar Racing Formula One team.

• Jan 27 - Ford hourly employees receive record $8,000 in profit-sharing checks.

• Feb. 3 - Ford announces plans to provide eligible employees worldwide with a personal computer, printer and Internet access for a nominal fee.

• At the Oakville, Ontario Ford Facility, Ford of Canada opens the YMCA ChildCare Centre to offer “employees and community residents a state-of-the-art learning environment for preschool children”.

• Ford of Mexico teams up with Mexico’s Environment and Natural Resource Ministry to save Lacandona, the last rainforest in the Northern Hemisphere.

• Visteon, created in 1998 by Ford Motor Company, becomes an independent organization.

• At the North American International Auto Show, Ford officially announces the development of a “family-sized, hybrid-electric vehicle” by 2003.

• The Ford Focus is named both the North American Car of the Year and European Car of the Year.

• Ford officially takes ownership of LandRover from BMW.

• The Ford Motor Company begins the massive re-development of the Rouge Center.

• The Ford Motor Company donates over $18 million to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Zoo, the Detroit Science Center, the Henry Ford Academy, Princeton University’s Environmental Institute, and the San Diego Environment Foundation.

• To streamline global business, Ford, GM, and Daimler Chrysler combine efforts to form a “business to business integrated supplier exchange through a single global router”.

• Ford Division Teams with US Auto Dealers and J.D. Power to launch the “Blue Oval” certified program, “the most comprehensive customer satisfaction initiative in automotive retailing”.

• Approximately 15,000 “bi-fuel” vehicles roll off of Ford Motor Company’s assembly lines.

• Ford purchases Land Rover from BMW.

• Jacques Nasser retires from his position at the Ford Motor Company, leaving William Clay Ford, Jr., the President and CEO.

• Ford Motor Company reports 7,424 million vehicles sold with $107,064 Million in total revenue.

• Ford announces the construction of 6 2003 Model T-100’s (1914 Model T Replicas) for use an April 2003 exhibit at The Henry Ford.

• Motor Trend’s names Ford Thunderbird “Car of the Year” for an unprecedented fourth time.

• Continuing a trend of increased auto-safety measures, Ford launches “Boost America,” a program which gives away 100,000 booster seats and education on booster seat safety.

• The Pacific Basin Economic Council recognizes The Ford Motor Company for its contributions to environment conservation.

• Retro-styled Ford Thunderbird is reintroduced.

• The Ford Motor Company announces plans to sponsor the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (E.A.A.) “Countdown to Kitty Hawk,” a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brother’s first powered flight.

2003

• June 16 - Ford Motor Co. celebrates 100th anniversary. The Ford GT was released to celebrate this occasion.

• October - Ford unveils a hybridized fuel cell-powered automobile built into the frame of the wildly popular Ford Focus.

• Sells Jaguar Racing to Red Bull GmbH.

• Ford Escape Hybrid, the first gas-electric hybrid SUV, is introduced.

2006

• Ford announces major restructuring, called The Way Forward, aimed at bringing production capacity and fixed costs into alignment with projected market share.

Sources:

• Ford Motor Corp., "Wheels for the World: Henry Ford, His Company and A Century of Progress"

• http://media.ford.com/timeline/index.cfm?December=2

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford