Reflections on Ford

Author: (USA) Magee/D. / Wang Honghao / He Mingke
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: A Centennial Chronicle of Ford:
- The launch of the Ford Model T in 1908
- The Highland Park assembly line in Michigan in 1918
- The launch of the Thunderbird in 1954, marking support and production for World War II
- The failure of Edsel in 1959
- The birth of the Ford Mustang in 1964
- The unfortunate Ford Pinto in 1970
- The launch of the import killer, the Ford, in 1985
- The birth of the Ford Explorer in 1990, a pioneer in niche markets
- The launch of the F-Series pickup truck in 2004, the top-selling pickup in the U.S.
What does Ford mean? A person, a family, a brand, a company, or even an era of an industry. Through 100 years of ups and downs, storms, and changes, how many world-class automakers have remained vibrant? Yet Ford hasly survived in the cracks. This immortal achievement is worth our careful thought and research. How did the soul of Ford, Bill Ford Jr., lead this behemoth out of turmoil? Let’s uncover the mystery in this book.
Ford Motor Company was founded in Dearborn, Michigan, USA, in 1903. Since then, Ford has put the world on wheels. A century later, Ford Motor Company stands proudly among the world’s automakers, leading both the U.S. and the world. Henry Ford founded Ford Motor Company, which was publicly listed in 1956. Edsel Ford launched the elegant, fully handcrafted Lincoln cars. When Ford Motor Company was in chaos, Henry Ford II stepped in in 1945, replacing Henry Ford and regaining control of the company. Bill Ford Jr. took over the presidency of Ford Motor Company after Henry Ford II’s resignation from the board in 1979, leading the company out of financial crisis and back to profitability.
Ford means a person, a family, a brand, a company, or even an era. This book tells the story of Ford Motor Company’s success and failures from its founding to the present day. It explores the insights of Bill Ford Jr. after years of joy and sorrow, revealing how he used brand innovation to help Ford Motor Company overcome its financial crisis and regain profitability. After reading this book, readers will gain a full understanding of Ford’s century-long history and be inspired to start and maintain their own businesses, leveraging brand building to lead industry development.