Whilst the Ford motor company, like many of the original big car producers, battles market share out with the big European and Japanese boys, the brand has contributed much to the development of the four wheel horseless drawn carriage. Ford classic cars, as collector’s items are up there with the best and for many years they have been at the forefront of innovation and design. The Ford Delfino and other Ford sports models were the inspiration of other car designers who copied parts of their sleek looks to combine in their own models. Indeed, the inspiration of large bulk manufacturing can be attributed to Mr Henry himself. Ford classic family models such as the refined model T have given pleasure to millions over the years and eventually were made available in colours other than the compulsory black option of the early years of the affordable Ford model.
The year was 1903 when the company was first incorporated and met the massive demand that was to ensue later by having the first traditional production line process. The management, namely Henry, could calculate to within a few minutes how many cars would be produced in a give work period-cars were eventually leaving the gate every one and a half hours! Prices, although initially made them only available to the rich few, started to fall with improved manufacturing techniques and were eventually made available to the masses. When the company was set up with a capital outlay of 28,000 dollars, it was raised with from the proceeds of 12 investors which included 2 brothers named Dodge, who later set up their own company of that name.
The Ford motor company of today has attempted to buy brand awareness incorporating for a time the badges of Land Rover, Jaguar and Volvo, only to sell some of these off later. With the deteriorating US economy and adverse exchange rates, the Company is in one of its most turbulent states in the whole of its history. With the increasing cost of oil, it is having to rethink its strategy on the type of cars it intends to produce. The traditional high-consuming gas guzzlers that were so popular in America are now seeing a decline in sales for the more economic smaller cars. This trend means that design and function trends have to be completely reassessed for the company not to lose more market share and slip into further decline. It is early days yet, but if the once former giant was to lose its identity like so many other mass producers and go out of business, it would be a sad demise of a brand that has offered so much to the automobile world. One wonders whether if Henry Ford have been around today what actions he would have took. Many consider him an industrial genius before his time. In today’s market, with all the added pressures and competition, The Company could well do with someone of his calibre to guide tit through turbulent waters.
