Ford

Ford Motor Company, headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, is an American multinational automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford on June 16, 1903. The company is a major player in the automotive industry, selling vehicles under the Ford brand, including automobiles and commercial vehicles, as well as luxury cars under the Lincoln brand. Notable for its contributions to manufacturing, Ford introduced large-scale production methods and innovative workforce management techniques, known globally as Fordism by 1914. The company has a diverse international presence with a 32% stake in China's Jiangling Motors and joint ventures in China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey. Ford's history includes ownership of the Swedish automaker Volvo from 1999 to 2010 and former UK subsidiaries Jaguar and Land Rover, which were sold to Tata Motors in 2008. In 2011, Ford discontinued the Mercury brand, previously used for entry-level luxury cars. As of 2022, Ford is the second-largest U.S.-based automaker and the sixth-largest globally in terms of vehicle production. The company has weathered challenges, including the financial crisis of 2007–08, emerging successfully without federal government assistance. With a return to profitability, Ford was ranked eleventh overall in the 2018 Fortune 500 list, boasting global revenues of $156.7 billion in 2017. In 2008, Ford produced 5.532 million automobiles and employed approximately 213,000 people across 90 plants and facilities worldwide. The Ford family maintains control through special Class B shares, retaining 40% of the voting rights.