| − | <table width="800" border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td align="center"><img src="http://newsfeedresearcher.com/images/backtop.gif" width="800" height="45" align="middle"></td></tr><tr><td background="http://newsfeedresearcher.com/images/backmid.gif" valign="top"><table width="600" border="0" align="center"><tr><td><a name="top"><center>Your search has been for: <b><div id="hlight">Ford Motor Company</div></b></center><br>Jump to: <br><a href="#overview"><b>Key Topics</b></a> || <a href="#append"><b>Possibly Useful</b></a> || <a href="#sources"><b>Selected Sources</b></a> || <a href="#advanced"><b>Dig Deeper</b></a><br><br><br><a name="overview"></a><a href="#" onclick="toggle_visibility('overv'); return false;" title="Pertinent Info, most relevant to your research."><b><div id="hlight">KEY TOPICS<image src="http://iresearch-reporter.com/images/apx4.jpg" alt="Pertinent Info, most relevant to your research."></a></div></b><br><div id="overv"><a name="top"></a><ul><li>Groups of two or three men worked on each car from components made to order by other companies.<a href="#hdng0">(More...)</a><br><br></li></ul></ul><br><br><br><br><a name="hdng0"></a><b><i>Groups of two or three men worked on each car from components made to order by other companies.</i></b> Henry Ford was 40 years old when he founded the Ford Motor Company, which would go on to become one of the world's largest and most profitable companies, as well as being one to survive the Great Depression. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> As one of the largest family-controlled companies in the world, the Ford Motor Company has been in continuous family control for over 100 years.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> The sale is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2008. It is understood that Ford Motor Company Ltd. will not retain any shareholding in either the Jaguar or Land-Rover companies, unlike Aston Martin where on its sale a small shareholding was retained; when the total sum to be paid in cash by Tata Motors of approximately U.S. $ 2.3 billion, Ford will then contribute up to U.S. $600 million to the Jaguar Land Rover pension plans.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Today, Ford Motor Company manufactures automobiles under several names including Lincoln and Mercury in the United States. In 1958, Ford introduced a new marque, the Edsel, but poor sales led to its discontinuation in 1960.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Overall the Ford Motor Company controls the following operational car marques: Ford, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury, and Volvo.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> In September 1971 the Ford Motor Company launched the Pinto for the North American market. Through early production of this model it emerged that design flaws could result in fuel tank explosions when the vehicle was subject to a rear-end collision. Some sources even allege this safety data was available to Ford prior to production, but was ignored for economic reasons.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> The Ford Motor Company is in partnership talks to license hybrid technology from the Toyota Motor Corporation in a deal that could help establish Toyota's system as a standard for the industry.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Most of the corporate profits came from financing consumer automobile loans through Ford Motor Credit Company. By 2005, corporate bond rating agencies had downgraded the bonds of both Ford and GM to junk status, citing high U.S. health care costs for an aging workforce, soaring gasoline prices, eroding market share, and dependence on declining SUV sales for revenues.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford's FoMoCo parts division sells aftermarket parts under the Motorcraft brand name. Ford's non-manufacturing operations include organizations such as automotive finance operation Ford Motor Credit Company.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>Despite the gains, the company finished the year with a $2.7 billion loss, largely attributed to finance restructuring at Volvo. In March 2008, Ford announced that it has reached agreement to sell its Jaguar Land Rover operations to Tata Motors for $2.3 billion.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>William Clay Ford Jr. was recently asked if it was fair to call him, as many have, a reluctant chief executive of the Ford Motor Company. "Not anymore," he said, pondering the question at a news conference last month.<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[2]</sup></a> A list of Web sites about Ford Motor Company as selected by editors of The New York Times.<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[2]</sup></a> News about Ford Motor Company, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[2]</sup></a> <br><br>The company's English cousins in the Ford Motor Company family are in the final stages of being sold, leaving Volvo as Ford's only European luxury brand.<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[2]</sup></a> <br><br>Ford Motor Company designs, develops, manufactures, and services cars and trucks worldwide.<a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=F" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[3]</sup></a> Ford Motor Company designs, develops, manufactures, and services cars and trucks worldwide. It operates in two sectors, Automotive and Financial Services.<a href="http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?symbol=F" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[4]</sup></a> What has changed in the year since Alan R. Mulally left Boeing to be chief executive at Ford Motor? In a sense, everything and nothing. With its decision to entertain bids for Volvo, Ford appears to be dismantling its collection of luxury auto companies.<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[2]</sup></a> Ford Motor Co. has announced plans to spend $10 million on expanding its local production facilities.<a href="http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?symbol=F" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[4]</sup></a> Ford Motor Co. is introducing a 4.4 litre diesel V8 engine in the United States.<a href="http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?symbol=F" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[4]</sup></a> <br><br><a href="#top"><img alt="Back to Top" title="Back to Top" src="http://newsfeedresearcher.com/images/backtotop.jpg" style="border: 0px solid ; width: 72px; height: 14px;"></a></div><br><a name="append"></a><a href="#" onclick="toggle_visibility('apx'); return false;" title="Additional Info, less pertinent but still might be useful in your research."><b><div id="hlight">POSSIBLY USEFUL<image src="http://iresearch-reporter.com/images/apx4.jpg" alt="Additional Info, less pertinent but still might be useful in your research."></a></div></b><br><div id="apx"><b>Section Contents:</b><br><a name="top"></a><ul><li>A ute (short for "utility," known in the U.S. as pickup truck ) version is also available with a similar range of drivetrains.<a href="#hdng1">(More...)</a><br><br></li></ul><br><br><a name="hdng1"></a><b><i>A ute (short for "utility," known in the U.S. as pickup truck ) version is also available with a similar range of drivetrains.</i></b> Ford Australia sells highly-tuned Falcon sedans and utes through its performance car division, Ford Performance Vehicles. These cars produce 390hp (291kW) and are built in small numbers to increase their value as collectors' cars. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> In the face of falling truck and SUV sales, Ford moved to introduce a range of new vehicles, including " Crossover SUVs " built on unibody car platforms, rather than body-on-frame truck chassis. Ford also developed alternative fuel and high efficiency vehicles, such as the Escape Hybrid.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> In South America, Ford has had to face protectionist government measures in each country, with the result that it built different models in different countries, without particular regard to rationalization or economy of scale inherent to producing and sharing similar vehicles between the nations. In many cases, new vehicles in a country were based on those of the other manufacturers it had entered into production agreements with, or whose factories it had acquired.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford has committed to accelerating development of next-generation hybrid-electric power plants in Britain, in collaboration with Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover. This engineering study is expected to yield more than 100 new hybrid-electric vehicle models and derivatives.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> In New Zealand and Australia, the popular Ford Falcon was long considered the average family car and is considerably larger than the Mondeo, Ford's largest car sold in Europe.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> The Mondeo was dropped by Ford Australia, because the segment of the market in which it competes had been in steady decline, with buyers preferring the larger local model, the Falcon. One recent exception is the European model of the Focus, which has sold strongly on both sides of the Atlantic.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> The Laser was one of the most successful models sold by Ford in Australia, and outsold the Mazda 323, despite being almost identical to it.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Bill Ford was one of the first top industry executives to make regular use of an battery electric vehicle, a Ford Ranger EV, while the company contracted with the United States Postal Service to deliver electric postal vans based on the Ranger EV platform. The alternative fuel vehicles, such as some versions of the Crown Victoria especially in fleet and taxi service, operate on compressed natural gas "or CNG.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Other accusations were that the company collaborated with the German Nazi regime and relied on Germany. The German Ford company used slave labor in Cologne between 1941 and 1945 and that it had produced military vehicles such as jeeps, planes, and ships used by a fascist regime. Many of these allegations were made in a series of United States lawsuits in 1998.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford was launched in a converted factory in 1903 with $28,000 in cash from twelve investors, most notably John and Horace Dodge (who would later found the their own car company). During its early years, the company produced just a few cars a day at its factory on Mack Avenue in Detroit, Michigan.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> After outcry from the lessees and activists in the U.S. and Norway, Ford returned the cars to Norway for sale. In 2003, Ford announced that competitive market conditions and technological and cost challenges would prevent the company from achieving this goal. Ford discontinued a line of electric Ranger pickup trucks and ordered them destroyed, though it reversed in January 2005, after environmentalist protest.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>The Corcel and Del Rey in Brazil were originally based on Renault vehicles. In 1987, Ford merged its operations in Brazil and Argentina with those of Volkswagen to form a company called Autolatina, with which it shared models.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Some of the vehicles will be evaluated "in typical customer settings," according to Ford. In December 2006, the company raised its borrowing capacity to about $25 billion, placing substantially all corporate assets as collateral to secure the line of credit.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford was also the overall seventh-ranked American-based company in the 2007 Fortune 500 list, based on global revenues in 2006 of $160.1 billion.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Throughout its history, the company has faced a wide range of criticisms. Some have accused the early Fordist model of production of being exploitative, and Ford has been criticized as being willing to collaborate with dictatorships or hire mobs to intimidate union leaders and increase their profits through unethical means.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford refused to allow collective bargaining until 1941, with the Ford Service Department being set up as an internal security, intimidation, and espionage unit within the company, and quickly gained a reputation of using violence against union organizers and sympathizers.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> The company denied the allegations. In a second trial, a report brought by the CTA, and the testimonies of former Ford workers themselves, claimed that the company's Argentine factory was used between 1976 and 1978 as a detention center, and that management allowed the military to set up its own bunker inside the plant.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> In the latter half of 2005, Chairman Bill Ford asked newly-appointed Ford Americas Division President Mark Fields to develop a plan to return the company to profitability.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ford also became President of the company in April 2006, with the retirement of Jim Padilla. Five months later, in September, he stepped down as President and CEO, and naming Alan Mulally as his successor.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford had non-automotive interests, as well, and owned the Philco home appliance company.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>Since 1989, Ford has acquired Aston Martin (which it sold again on March 12, 2007, but it will retain a $77 million stake in the sports car maker ), and Volvo Cars from Sweden, as well as a controlling share (33.4%) of Mazda of Japan, with which it operates an American joint venture plant in Flat Rock, Michigan called Auto Alliance. It has spun off its parts division under the name Visteon.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford is also planning to produce 250,000 E85-capable vehicles a year in the U.S., adding to some 1.6 million already sold in the last 10 years.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> In 2007, Ford became the third-ranked automaker in U.S. sales after General Motors and Toyota, falling from the second-ranked automaker slot for the first time in the previous 56 years.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Between 1960 and 1972, the Falcon was based on a U.S. Ford of that name, but since then has been entirely designed and manufactured locally. Like its General Motors rival, the Holden Commodore, the 4.0L Falcon retains rear wheel drive.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> In 2004, Ford sold 30,000 units in the region, falling far short of General Motors ' 88,852 units and Nissan Motors ' 75,000 units.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford also sold the brand names of Daimler (excluding certain rights sold to Germany's Daimler AG), Lanchester, and Rover to Tata Motors of India.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford's overseas business encompasses only one truly global brand ( Volvo of Sweden ) other than the Ford brand itself, but it also owns a one-third controlling interest in Mazda of Japan and a small holding in former subsidiary Aston Martin of England. Its former UK subsidiaries Jaguar and Land Rover were sold to Tata Motors of India in March 2008, both companies having been through many changes of ownership in the recent past.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>Ford's distributor in Saudi Arabia announced in February 2003 that it had sold 100,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles since commencing sales in November 1986.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> The fuel cell Explorer is one of several vehicles with green technology Ford being featured at the L.A. show, including the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid, PZEV emissions compliant Fusion and Focus models and a 2008 Ford F-Series Super Duty outfitted with Ford's clean diesel technology.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford was third to the automotive market with a hybrid electric vehicle : the Ford Escape Hybrid, which also represented the first hybrid electric SUV to market and started the Ford hybrid technology.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Under the multi-million-dollar, multi-year project, Ford will convert a demonstration fleet of Ford Escape Hybrids into plug-in hybrids, and SCE will evaluate how the vehicles might interact with the home and the utility's electrical grid.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>In 2007, Ford revenues increased to $173.9 billion, while producing 6.553 million automobiles and employing about 245,000 employees at around 100 plants and facilities worldwide. In 2007, Ford received more initial quality survey awards from J. D. Power and Associates than any other automaker, with five vehicles ranking at the top of their categories, and fourteen vehicles ranked in the top three.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Development of European Ford is broadly split between Dunton in Essex (powertrain, Fiesta/Ka, and commercial vehicles) and Cologne (body, chassis, electrical, Focus, Mondeo) in Germany. Ford also produced the Thames range of commercial vehicles, although the use of this brand name was discontinued circa 1965.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford has campaigned touring cars such as the Focus, Falcon, and Contour / Mondeo and the Sierra Cosworth in many different series throughout the years.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> In the Indianapolis 500, Ford powered racing cars won 17 times between 1965 and 1996. Ford has a storied history in the Trans-Am series from the 1970s through today, having won many championships and races with its Ford Mustang.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford won the manufacturers title in 2005 in the KONI Challenge Series with the FR500C Mustang race car.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford also continues to study Fuel Cell -powered electric powertrains, and is currently demonstrating hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine technologies, as well as developing the next-generation hybrid-electric systems.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>Ford Europe has broken new ground with a number of relatively futuristic car launches over the last 50 years. Its 1959 Anglia two-door saloon was one of the most quirky-looking small family cars in Europe at the time of its launch, but buyers soon became accustomed to its looks and it was hugely popular with British buyers in particular. It was still selling well when replaced by the more practical Escort in 1967.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Kia continued to market the Aspire as the Kia Avella, later replaced by the Rio and once again sold in the U.S. Ironically, Hyundai also manufactured the Ford Cortina until the 1980s.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>During the mid to late 1990s, Ford sold large numbers of vehicles, in a booming American economy with soaring stock market and low fuel prices.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Half of the Ford/Lincoln vehicles sold in that country were Ford Crown Victorias.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> The European one that lasted longer was the lorries arm of Ford of Britain, that was eventually sold to Iveco group in 1986, and whose last significant models were the Transcontinental and the Cargo.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Models like the Ford Mondeo from Europe could now be imported completely built up.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford now sells a local sedan version of the Fiesta (also built in India and Mexico), and the Focus and Mondeo Europe.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Elsewhere in continental Europe, Ford assembles the Mondeo range in Genk ( Belgium ), Fiesta in Valencia ( Spain ) and Cologne ( Germany ), Ka in Valencia, and Focus in Valencia, Saarlouis (Germany) and Vsevolozhsk ( Russia ).<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>Later, in 1985, the Merkur brand was introduced to market Fords from Europe in the United States; it met a similar fate in 1989.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> From the second quarter 2006, Toyota has passed Ford as the #2 automaker, by sales, in the United States.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford is betting on growth in small car sales with the Focus which it plans to assemble locally, and the popular Territory (Falcon-based) SUV.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Formula Ford, a formula for single-seater cars without wings and originally on road tires were conceived in 1966 in the UK as an entry-level formula for racing drivers. Many of today's racing drivers started their car racing careers in this category.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Countries where Ford commercial vehicles are or were made include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada (badged Mercury too), France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Philippines, Spain (badged Ebro too), Turkey, UK (badged also Fordson and Thames ) and USA. Most of all these ventures are now extinct.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford has major manufacturing operations in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, the People's Republic of China, and several other countries, including South Africa where, following divestment during apartheid, it once again has a wholly owned subsidiary.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford of Brazil produces a pick-up truck version of the Fiesta, the Courier, which is also produced in South Africa as the Ford Bantam in right hand drive versions.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Later on, the Ford Taunus and Ford Cortina became identical, produced in left hand drive and right hand drive respectively.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford also has a joint venture with Lio Ho in Taiwan, which assembled Ford models locally since the 1970s. Ford came to India in 1998 with its Ford Escort model, which was later replaced by locally produced Ford Ikon in 2001. It has since added Fusion, Fiesta, Mondeo and Endeavour to its product line.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> At first, Ford in Germany and the United Kingdom built different models from one another until the late 1960s, with the Ford Escort and then the Ford Capri being common to both companies.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>Since the 1999 season, Ford has used various versions of the Ford Focus WRC to much success. In the 2006 season, BP-Ford World Rally Team secured Ford its second manufacturers' title, with the Focus RS WRC 06 built by M-Sport and driven by Flying Finns Marcus Gr"nholm and Mikko Hirvonen.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> The Ford Fiesta and Ford EcoSport are only built in Brazil, and the Ford Focus only built in Argentina, with each plant exporting in large volumes to the neighboring countries.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> In January of 2008, Ford launched a website listing the 10 Built Ford Tough Rules as well as a series of webisodes that parodies the show COPS (TV Series).<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford is one of four manufacturers in NASCAR's three major series: Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Craftsman Truck Series.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford is represented by the mid-size Fusion in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series, and by the F-150 in the Craftsman Truck Series.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford continues building medium class trucks with the F-650 and F-750 and recently introduced the LCF series similar in design to the Ford Cargo trucks of the past.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>Ford has also branched out into drifting with the introduction of the new model Mustang.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Williams, Karel, Colin Haslam and John Williams, "Ford versus `Fordism': The Beginning of Mass Production?" Work, Employment & Society, Vol. 6, No. 4, 517-555 (1992), stress on Ford's flexibility and commitment to continuous improvements.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> With the introduction of the third generation of the Galaxy, Ford has moved the production of the people-carrier to the Genk plant, with Volkswagen taking over sole ownership of the Setubal facility.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>Ford surprised Wall Street in the second quarter of 2007 by posting a $750 million profit.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> " The Way Forward " includes resizing the company to match current market realities, dropping some unprofitable and inefficient models, consolidating production lines, and shutting fourteen factories and cutting 30,000 jobs. These cutbacks are consistent with Ford's roughly 25% decline in U.S. automotive market share since the mid-late 1990s.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> In the USA, Ford's heavy trucks division (Classes 7 and 8) was sold in 1997 to Freightliner, now part of DaimlerChrysler, that rebranded it as Sterling.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford's target is to become profitable again in 2009, a year later than projected. Ford's realignment also includes the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, Hertz Rent-a-Car to a private equity group for $15 billion in cash and debt acquisition.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> The Edge and MKX are Ford's new crossover SUVs to come out for the 2007 model year.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Ford announced that it will team up with Southern California Edison (SCE) to examine the future of plug-in hybrids in terms of how home and vehicle energy systems will work with the electrical grid.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>A joint venture with Mahindra and Mahindra Limited of India ended with the sale of Ford's 15 percent stake in 2005.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> Lincoln and Mercury are also Ford's aspirational brands in the USA, but not in the rest of the world.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> <br><br>The company had made plans to manufacture up to 250,000 hybrids a year by 2010, but has since had to back down on that commitment, due to excessively high costs and the lack of sufficient supplies of the hybrid-electric batteries and drivetrain system components.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[1]</sup></a> For more than a year, Ford traded angry accusations with Firestone over who was at fault for the problem. The situation helped oust Mr. Nasser, who had angered Ford employees with aggressive steps he argued were needed to change the company, and it began a downturn from which Ford has yet to recover.<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[2]</sup></a> The company's slide steepened in recent years, with Toyota passing Ford in United States sales in 2006.<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[2]</sup></a> Ford shareholders criticized every decision that the company's executive chairman, William Clay Ford Jr., had made, except one: his choice of successor.<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[2]</sup></a> <br><br>The two car companies are expected to announce that Tata is buying Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford for about $2 billion, a person briefed on the negotiations said.<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[2]</sup></a> India's Tata Motors is buying the high-end brands for $2.3 billion about half what Ford paid for the brands when it bought them.<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[2]</sup></a> <br><br>Some 10 million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles from 1992 to 2004 have been recalled because of faulty cruise-control switches.<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[2]</sup></a> The bigger-is-better worldview that has defined Ford is being replaced with a new one: less is more.<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[2]</sup></a> Ford's marketing campaign is recruiting Ford owners to invite friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers into their homes this weekend and talk up their cars.<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank" <sup>[2]</sup></a> <br><a href="#top"><img alt="Back to Top" title="Back to Top" src="http://newsfeedresearcher.com/images/backtotop.jpg" style="border: 0px solid ; width: 72px; height: 14px;"></a><br></div><br><br><a name="sources"><a href="#" onclick="toggle_visibility('srcs'); return false;" title="Most Informative Documents, used in preparation of this report."><b><div id="hlight">SELECTED SOURCES<image src="http://iresearch-reporter.com/images/apx4.jpg" alt="Most Informative Documents, used in preparation of this report."></a></div></b><br><div id="srcs"><br><br>1. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank">Ford Motor Company - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company" TARGET="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company</a><br><br>2. <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank">Ford Motor Company News - The New York Times</a><br><a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html" TARGET="_blank">http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ford_motor_company/index.html</a><br><br>3. <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=F" TARGET="_blank">F: Summary for FORD MOTOR CO - Yahoo! Finance</a><br><a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=F" TARGET="_blank">http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=F</a><br><br>4. <a href="http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?symbol=F" TARGET="_blank">Ford Motor Co. (F): Stock Quote & Company Profile - BusinessWeek</a><br><a href="http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?symbol=F" TARGET="_blank">http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?symbol=F</a><br><br> <a href="#top"><img alt="Back to Top" title="Back to Top" src="http://newsfeedresearcher.com/images/backtotop.jpg" style="border: 0px solid ; width: 72px; height: 14px;"></a></div><br><br><br><a name="advanced"><b>Try digging deeper by doing research on a<br>LARGER SET OF DOCUMENTS:</b><br><form name="theForm2" action="http://iresearch-reporter.com/demo" target="_blank" method="get" ><input name="query" height="21" size="55" maxlength="2048" title="Search2" type="text" value="Ford Motor Company"><input alt="" name="Submit2" value="Submit" src="http://iresearch-reporter.com/irr/btn_submit.gif" title="Submit advanced request" align="center" height="21" type="image" width="77"></form><br>(Will open in a new window. Your browser must have JavaScript & Cookies enabled.)<br><br><br><br> <small>Automatically generated multi-source summary has been compiled basing on the <br>fair use of snippets extracted from original articles, found through the <br>Google web search.</small></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><img src="http://newsfeedresearcher.com/images/backbottom.gif" width="800" height="45"></td></tr></table></td></tr></tbody></table>
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