Ford

Multinational American automaker out of Dearborn, Michigan, Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903. Ford owns its name brand, as well as Lincoln, Mazda and Aston Martin. Ford is known for its large-scale manufacturing assembly lines - the first of their kind. The second largest automaker in the United States and the fifth largest in the world, Ford produces upwards of five million vehicles annually.c

Ford Timeline

June 16, 1903: Henry Ford incorporates the Ford Motor Company in Michigan with 11 other investors.

October 1, 1908: Ford introduces the Model T, which went on to be produced over 15 million times through 1927.

October 7, 1913: The first moving automobile assembly line begins in the Michigan Highland Park plant.

January 5, 1914: Fifteen thousand job seekers fight for 3,000 jobs at Ford Motor Co., each paying $5 a day for an eight-hour workday due to a hefty increase from $2.34 a day.

March 1, 1941: Jeeps are produced by Ford for the U.S. military.

July 1945: Ford begins producing civilian vehicles again

since the start of World War II.

September 7, 1987: Ford purchases 75 percent of the United Kingdom's Aston Martin Lagonda, Ltd.

December 31, 1988: Ford reaches an all-time high for automobile sales at $5.3 billion.

December 1, 1989: Ford purchases Jaguar Cars.

March 15, 1990: Ford introduces the Explorer SUV.

July 1, 1992: Ford purchases 50 percent of Mazda Motor Manufacturing, changing Mazda's name to AutoAlliance International.

June 20, 1993: Ford dealerships are opened in China for the first time.

April 18, 1993: Ford produces the first Flexible-Fuel Vehicle, the Taurus, which is able to burn gasoline,

ethanol or a mixture of both.

August 21, 1997: For sells the first natural-gas-run taxis to New York City.

May 2001: Ford recalls 13 million tires and Bridgestone/Firestone dumps Ford as a client.

July 11, 2005: Endorsed by the Sierra Club, Ford introduces its gas-electric hybrid SUV, the Mercury

Mariner.

2005: Ford loses market share and its place as the best-selling brand in America to GM's Chevrolet.

January 23, 2006: Ford announces 30,000 job cuts and 14 idle plants by 2012.c

Ford Mustang

The Mustang was introduced in 1964 as a derivative of the Ford Falcon and Ford Fairlane. The Mustang grew in size from 1971 to 1973, bringing about a demand from consumers to return the car to its original size. Beginning in 1974, the smaller "Mustang II" was introduced to compete with smaller, more fuel efficient compact cars.

The third generation of the Mustang was introduced in 1979 using the new and larger fox platform. The interior was roomier and trim levels included LX, GT, Cobra, SVO, and Cobra R. This design would be modified until 1993.

The Mustang had a major redesign for the first time in 15 years beginning in 1994. The design was code named "SN-95" and was available in a coupe or convertible with a V6 engine and optional V8. The design received a slight overhaul in 1999 as Ford did away with the smooth lines of the 94-98 versions.

The Mustang was completely redesigned for 2005 with a more retro look, similar to that of that of the original 1960s production Mustangs. Power was also bumped up to 300 hp in GT models.