Ford's Timeline

.Pre-1900

1863 July 30 Henry Ford born on a Springwells Township farm, near Dearborn, Michigan.
1896 June 4 Henry Ford completes his first car, the Quadricycle, in a shed behind his home at 58 Bagley Ave., Detroit, and takes it for a drive in the middle of the night.

.1900

1903 June 16 Henry Ford and 11 investors sign the Articles of incorporation for his car company. The cars would be built in a converted wagon factory on Mack Avenue in Detroit.
1903 June 17 Articles of incorporation for the formation of the Ford Motor Company are filed with the State of Michigan in Lansing.
1903 July 20 Ford Motor Company sells its first car, a Model A, to a Detroit physician.
1904 August 17 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd., receives its Provincial Charter to do business in Walkerville, Ontario, near Windsor.
1906 October 22 Henry Ford succeeds John Gray as company president; acquires majority of stock.
1908 October 1 First overseas sales branch opens in Paris, France.
1908 October 1 Ford introduces the Model T - destined to be one of the worlds most popular cars.
1909 October 1 Sales company opens in London, England.

.1910

1911 October 1 Ford opens assembly plant in Manchester, England, its first outside North America.
1913 September 25 Contract signed to sell Model T in China.
1913 October 1 Contracts signed to sell Model T in Indonesia, Siam and Dutch East Indies.
1913 October 7 World's first moving automobile assembly line begins operation at Ford's Highland Park (Michigan) Plant.
1913 December 31 Sales operations begin in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
1914 January 5 $5 pay for eight-hour day announced at Model T Plant in Highland Park (replacing $2.34 for nine hours); attracts thousands of job applicants.
1915 December 10 One-millionth Ford car built.
1916 June 1 Ford establishes Automobiles Ford (France) and announces plans to build an assembly plant in Bordeaux.
1917 July 27 Ford introduces its first truck, the Model TT.
1917 September 4 Henry Ford II born to Eleanor and Edsel Ford.
1917 October 17 Fordson, world's first mass-produced tractor, begins production in Dearborn.
1918 January 4 Construction of massive Rouge automotive manufacturing complex begins.
1919 January 1 Edsel Ford succeeds Henry Ford as company president.
1919 July 9 Present-day Ford Motor Company incorporated in Delaware.

.1920

1922 January 30 Ford of Belgium founded in Antwerp.
1922 February 4 Ford buys Lincoln Motor Company for $8 million.
1923 January 27 Ford Italiana Spa established, with an assembly plant in Trieste.
1924 June 4 Ten-millionth Ford car built.
1924 August 5 First public tours of Rouge facilities.
1925 February 17 Ford Japan formed; vehicles to be built from imported components.
1925 March 14 Birth of William Clay Ford.
1925 August 18 Ford Motor Co. Aktiengesellschaft is founded in Berlin for the import of cars and tractors.
1926 January 1 Parts depot and assembly operation set up in Berlin. Eight days later, the first Model T assembled in Germany comes off the lines.
1926 September 28 Sales branch opens in Alexandria, Egypt.
1927 February 10 First radio-range guidance of Tri-Motor plane.
1927 May 26 Henry and Edsel Ford drive 15-millionth Model T off assembly line at Highland Park, officially ending Model T production. Production in England ends on Aug. 19; in Ireland on Dec. 31. Total world production of Model T: 15,458,781.
1927 October 27 Production of new Model A begins at Rouge Assembly Plant.
1927 December 2 New Model A introduced in North America.
1928 December 7 Ford of Britain (Ford Motor Company Ltd.) formed to centralize Ford activities in Europe.
1929 October 21 Henry Ford and Thomas Edison dedicate the Edison Institute in Dearborn, Michigan, on the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the electric light.

.1930

1930 October 2 Henry Ford lays the foundation stone for the Cologne plant on a 68-acre site in the Niehl district.
1931 April 14 Ford builds its 20-millionth car.
1931 April 15 Ford closes Berlin plant.
1931 October 1 Production begins at Ford's Dagenham, England, plant, Europe's largest factory.
1932 February 19 Ford launches its first car designed specifically for Europe, the Model Y, starting in England.
1932 March 9 Ford builds its first V-8 vehicle.
1933 June 7 Last of 199 Ford Tri-Motor planes built.
1933 June 12 Edison Institute (now called Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village) opens to the public in Dearborn.
1936 January 17 Henry and Edsel Ford establish Ford Foundation, fund it with company stock.
1936 April 16 Ford Rotunda opens in Dearborn. Built for 1933-34 Chicago World's Fair, took 18 mos. To dismantle and rebuild as visitor center.
1937 January 18 Ford builds its 25-millionth car.
1938 January 1 A car is built at Cologne every three minutes. The plant operates at full capacity.
1938 October 6 Mercury line introduced by Ford.
1939 April 30 N.Y. World's Fair opens; Ford Exposition building gives visitors a ride on the "Road of Tomorrow."
1939 October 3 Lincoln Continental introduced.

.1940

1941 March 1 Ford builds first general purpose (G.P., or "jeep") vehicle for U.S. military at Rouge Plant.
1941 June 20 UAW-CIO & Ford agree to first closed-shop contract.
1942 February 1 World War II halts civilian car output; Ford shifts to total military production.
1943 May 26 Edsel Ford dies at age 49.
1943 June 1 Henry Ford re-elected company president.
1944 January 22 Henry Ford II elected vice president.
1944 April 10 Henry Ford II elected executive vice president.
1945 June 28 Last B-24 Liberator bomber built at Willow Run Plant. (Ford built 8,600 bombers, 278,000 jeeps and 57,000 aircraft engines.)
1945 July 3 Ford resumes production of civilian vehicles.
1945 September 21 Henry Ford II named company president.
1945 October 22 Lincoln-Mercury Division is established. With the war over, Mercury is slowly resuming production with 1942 models. By year's end, Mercury production total is 2,848 vehicles.
1946 July 1 Ernest Breech named vice president of the company.
1947 April 7 Henry Ford dies at age 83 at Fair Lane, his estate in Dearborn.
1948 January 30 Benson Ford elected a company vice president and general manager of Lincoln-Mercury Division.
1948 April 26 Production begins on 1949-model Ford, first new postwar design.
1948 June 3 William Clay Ford elected a director.
1949 January 1 A special version of the Taunus and a so-called rapid truck are launched.

.1950

1950 January 1 The export of German Ford vehicles is resumed.
1950 August 1 One-millionth Mercury, one of 293,658 automobiles manufactured by the division this year, rolls off the line.
1950 September 7 Cost-of-living salary adjustment (COLA) plan for hourly and salaried employees announced.
1951 January 1 In Frankfurt, Ford takes part in the first International Motor Show (IAA) since the war.
1952 August 31 Henry Ford Trade School closes after 35 years.
1952 October 9 William Clay Ford named general manager of Special Products Operations.
1953 May 7 Ford Archives dedicated at Fair Lane (former Henry Ford Estate).
1953 May 20 Research & Engineering Center in Dearborn dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower via closed-circuit television from the White House.
1953 June 16 Ford Rotunda, closed to the public during World War II, reopens for the company's 50th anniversary.
1953 September 29 Groundbreaking ceremony for the 12-story World Headquarters building in Dearborn.
1954 October 22 Ford introduces Thunderbird.
1955 January 25 Ernest Breech elected board chairman.
1955 April 15 Separate Lincoln and Mercury divisions established; Special Products Operations becomes a division.
1955 June 8 Ford adopts Supplemental Employment Benefits (SUB) program.
1955 October 4 Continental Mark II introduced.
1956 January 1 Ford buys a planned plant site in Wulfrath, Germany.
1956 January 17 Sale of Ford common stock begins.
1956 February 1 Savings & Stock Investment Program (SSIP) initiated for all eligible salaried employees.
1956 September 26 New Central Office Building dedicated at Michigan Avenue and Southfield Roads, in Dearborn; later renamed Ford World Headquarters; in 1996, HQ and Ford Credit complex renamed Henry Ford II World Center.
1957 August 31 Lincoln and Mercury divisions recombined.
1957 September 4 Public introduction of Edsel, new medium-priced car.
1958 January 1 Mercury, Lincoln and Edsel divisions are joined to form M-E-L (Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln) Division.
1959 April 29 Fifty-millionth vehicle built.
1959 August 24 Ford Motor Credit Company formed.
1959 November 19 Ford announces it will discontinue Edsel car line. Lincoln-Mercury Division is re-formed.

.1960

1960 March 17 Ford introduces Mercury Comet, first upscale compact car.
1960 July 13 Ernest Breech resigns as board chairman, is succeeded by Henry Ford II, who also remains president.
1960 September 29 Ford Econoline series, including van, pickup and station wagon bus, introduced.
1960 November 9 Robert McNamara elected company president.
1960 December 12 President John F. Kennedy names Robert McNamara as secretary of defense; McNamara resigns as Ford president.
1961 January 1 Henry Ford II resumes duties as company president.
1961 April 12 John Dykstra elected company president.
1961 April 18 Ford Parts Division formed (MOTORCRAFT).
1961 October 3 UAW calls first company-wide strike against Ford (ends Oct. 20 with a three-year contract).
1961 October 12 Ford Fairlane introduced.
1961 December 11 Ford acquires Philco Corporation.
1962 July 2 Thirty-millionth V-8 engine produced.
1962 November 9 Fire destroys Ford Rotunda. (Total visitor attendance since opening in Dearborn in 1936: 18,019,340.)
1963 January 7 Sixty-millionth vehicle produced.
1963 May 1 Arjay Miller elected company president.
1964 January 1 A new body plant for the Taunus 20M becomes operational in Cologne.
1964 April 17 Ford Mustang introduced.
1964 April 22 Ford exhibit, featuring Walt Disney's Magic Skyway Ride, opens at New York World's Fair.
1965 May 25 Mission Control Center in Houston, designed and largely equipped by Ford's Philco subsidiary, is announced.
1965 May 30 Lotus-Ford racer wins Indianapolis 500.
1966 March 2 One-millionth Mustang built in less than two years from start of production.
1966 September 30 Mercury Cougar introduced as "America's first luxury/sports car at a popular price." Motor Trend names Cougar the 1967 Car of the Year.
1967 March 8 Ford dedicates new Automotive Safety Research Center and Service Research Center.
1967 May 3 Seventy-millionth U.S.-built vehicle produced.
1967 June 14 Ford of Europe established to coordinate development manufacture and sale of cars and trucks in Europe and Africa.
1967 September 6 UAW launches company-wide strike (ends Oct. 22).
1968 February 6 Semon Knudsen elected company president; Arjay Miller becomes vice chairman of the board.
1968 March 25 One-millionth Lincoln Continental built.
1968 April 5 Continental Mark III introduced.
1969 April 17 Ford Maverick introduced. Lincoln-Mercury introduces the European-built Capri at New York Auto Show.
1969 September 11 Senior management reorganized -- Henry Ford II, chairman; Lee Iacocca, president - Ford North American Automotive Operations; Robert Stevenson, president - Ford International Automotive Operations; Robert Hampson, president - Ford Non-Automotive Operations.
1969 December 10 Company announces plans to develop 2,300 acres in Dearborn for commercial-residential use.

.1970

1970 January 1 The five millionth transmission is produced at the cologne plant.
1970 January 1 Henry Ford II opens the Saarlouis plant where Escort production begins.
1970 January 1 Henry Ford II opens the Saarlouis plant where Escort production begins.
1970 April 12 Henry Ford II goes to Russia for a series of automotive industry discussions.
1970 August 4 Ford Motor Land Development Co. incorporated in Delaware as a wholly owned subsidiary.
1970 August 11 Ford Pinto introduced.
1970 August 17 Asia-Pacific Auto Operations established.
1970 December 10 Lee Iacocca elected company president.
1971 April 12 Customer Service Division formed.
1972 May 22 Henry Ford II and architect John Portman announce major office and hotel development on Detroit's riverfront (later named Renaissance Center).
1972 May 24 Ford Fiera introduced (produced in Philippines for Asia-Pacific Markets).
1972 December 19 Ford Lio Ho Motor Company established to assemble automobiles and manufacture engines in Taiwan.
1973 January 1 The six millionth engine is produced in Cologne.
1973 January 1 The one millionth Capri built in Saarlouis.
1973 September 21 Ford Mustang II introduced.
1974 January 1 Ford becomes the first German manufacturer to double the warranty period for all cars to twelve months or 20,000 kilometers.
1974 January 7 Edsel Ford II joins the company as product analyst.
1974 July 5 Ford Guest Center opens on the 50th anniversary of Rouge plant tours.
1974 July 29 Hyatt Regency Dearborn Hotel, part of new Fairlane Town Center development, has "topping out" ceremony.
1975 June 20 "Topping out" ceremonies held for first of four 39-story- office towers in Detroit's new Renaissance Center.
1976 January 1 A new industry standard, the retractable safety belt restraint system is placed in the Mercury Bobcat. A snarling cougar head is introduced as the new Cougar emblem.
1976 January 1 Ford produces its one millionth Transit in Germany.
1976 March 11 Marian Heiskell becomes first woman elected to the board; (retires May 1, 1989).
1976 September 3 New Ford Fiesta introduced in Europe; starting in Germany.
1976 October 19 Eleanor Clay Ford, widow of Edsel Ford, dies at age 80.
1976 October 25 Henry Ford II dedicates new manufacturing complex at Valencia, Spain; King Juan Carlos in attendance.
1977 April 14 Three-member Office of the Chief Executive established: Henry Ford II continues as chairman and chief executive officer; Lee Iacocca continues as president and is designated chief operating officer; Philip Caldwell is named vice chairman, a new position.
1977 April 15 Henry Ford II presides at dedication of Renaissance Center.
1977 October 8 Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr introduced.
1977 October 15 CL-9000 line-haul diesel truck goes on sale.
1978 June 8 Philip Caldwell becomes deputy chief executive officer; William Clay Ford becomes chairman of Executive Committee and member of the Office of the Chief Executive.
1978 June 16 Ford Motor Company marks its 75th anniversary with observances at World Headquarters and around the globe.
1978 July 27 Benson Ford, director and vice president, dies.
1978 September 14 Philip Caldwell elected company president.
1978 September 28 Henry Ford II and David Rockefeller announce Phase Two of Renaissance Center.
1978 October 15 Lee Iacocca leaves company.
1978 December 14 One-hundred-fifty-millionth vehicle built.
1979 January 1 Ford takes a 25% equity stake in Mazda.
1979 October 1 Henry Ford II resigns as chief executive officer; Philip Caldwell succeeds him.
1979 October 15 William Clay Ford Jr. joins the company as product planning analyst.

.1980

1980 February 7 Ford Engineering Computer Center dedicated in Dearborn.
1980 March 13 Philip Caldwell succeeds Henry Ford II as board chairman; Donald Petersen elected company president and chief operating officer.
1980 July 24 Company dedicates Batavia (Ohio) Transmission Plant.
1980 August 11 Ford's "World Cars" -- 1981 Ford Escort and Mercury Lynx -- launched.
1980 September 3 New European Escort introduced.
1980 September 30 Ford announces plans for performance-oriented Special Vehicle Operations.
1981 January 1 The two millionth Fiesta comes off the Cologne assembly lines.
1981 April 9 Diversified Products Technical Center dedicated in Dearborn.
1981 June 15 Essex Engine Plant in Windsor (Ontario, Canada) dedicated.
1981 December 10 Rouge Steel Company subsidiary formed.
1981 December 18 Ford and Mazda establish Autorama, joint venture distribution channel for Ford products in Japan.
1982 January 1 Ford introduces the Escort convertible in Germany.
1982 February 13 Ford and UAW reach historic agreement encompassing innovative labor-management concepts.
1982 March 12 Ford Ranger introduced.
1982 September 28 Ford Chairman Philip Caldwell and UAW President Douglas Fraser break ground for new UAW-Ford National Development and Training Center in Dearborn.
1982 October 1 Henry Ford II retires as company officer and employee.
1983 March 10 Bronco II introduced.
1983 May 26 Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz introduced.
1983 July 22 Ford Orion introduced in Europe.
1983 October 14 Ford acquires 30 percent equity interest in its dealer- assembler in Otosan, Turkey.
1983 December 9 Ford/Cosworth Engineering Ltd. partnership formed to produce new Grand Prix racing engine.
1983 December 17 Continental Mark VII introduced.
1984 January 16 Ford agrees to buy historic Dearborn Inn from Edison Institute.
1984 February 1 Three-millionth Fiesta built at Ford Spain's Valencia Plant.
1984 February 24 Employees organize first annual Ford Employees' Celebration of Black History Month at World Headquarters.
1984 April 26 New version of Ford Transit Van, with industry's first direct- injection, high-speed diesel engine, introduced in Europe
1984 May 17 Rouge Steel Company breaks ground for $145-million Continuous-Slab-Casting Plant at Rouge complex in Dearborn.
1984 July 31 Ford dedicates $12-million advanced electronics plant in Markham, Ontario.
1984 August 13 Ford acquires remaining 49 percent interest in Pilkington Glass Industries Ltd. of Canada, to make it a wholly owned subsidiary. (Ford had acquired 51 percent in July 1981.)
1984 November 8 Company reduces equity in Ford Malaysia from 51 percent to 30 percent.
1984 November 14 Ford Lio Ho Motor Company (Taiwan) announces $35-million expansion to increase production.
1985 January 1 Production of the Scorpio starts in Cologne.
1985 February 1 Donald Petersen succeeds Philip Caldwell as board chairman; Harold Poling elected president.
1985 February 7 Ford delivers two air bag-equipped Tempos to U.S. Department of Transportation as part of 5,000-car experimental fleet.
1985 February 20 Scorpio launched in Europe.
1985 March 17 Ford Microelectronics, Inc., dedicates $33-million facility in Colorado Springs, Colo., to develop, manufacture and test advanced integrated circuits based on gallium arsenide.
1985 May 22 Merger of Ford and Amcar operation in South Africa completed; new company, South African Motor Corp. (SAMCOR) begins operations.
1985 July 15 Fairlane Club and Fairlane Manor purchased; later converted into training and development center.
1985 July 17 First Aerostar built at St. Louis (Missouri) Assembly Plant.
1985 July 18 Arab Boycott Office announces Ford's removal from list of banned companies.
1985 October 10 Ford buys Sperry New Holland, world's largest maker of specialty farm equipment, for $330 million.
1985 December 16 Ford acquires First Nationwide Financial Corporation, operator of the ninth-largest U.S. savings and loan, for $493 million.
1985 December 26 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable introduced in dealer showrooms across North America.
1986 January 9 New Transit medium van/truck range launched in Europe.
1986 July 10 Ford acquires 10 percent interest in Kia Motor Company of South Korea.
1987 March 13 Ford launches computer-based Worldwide Engineering Release System (WERS) to link its global manufacturing engineering groups.
1987 July 1 Autolatina joint venture between Ford (49 percent) and Volkswagen (51 percent) established in Brazil and Argentina; includes automotive and credit operations.
1987 September 7 Ford becomes majority shareholder (75 percent) of Aston Martin Lagonda, Ltd.
1987 September 29 Henry Ford II dies at age 70.
1987 November 18 Ford acquires United States Leasing International, Inc., later renamed USL Capital.
1987 December 26 Front-wheel-drive Lincoln Continental introduced.
1987 December 30 Hertz Corporation acquired for $1.3 billion by Park Ridge Corporation, formed by Ford and members of Hertz management.
1988 January 14 Edsel Ford II and William Clay Ford Jr. elected to board of directors.
1988 April 25 Ford completes disinvestment from South Africa.
1988 May 3 Newly expanded UAW-Ford National Education Development and Training Center dedicated.
1988 May 12 Ford Probe introduced.
1988 May 23 Three-millionth North American Ford Escort built at Wayne(Michigan) Assembly Plant.
1988 September 12 Ford and Nissan announce joint program to design, engineer and produce minivans for North America.
1988 October 31 Ford agrees to provide approximately $300 million in financing for acquisition of Budget Rent a Car by Breech Holdings Corp.
1988 December 31 First Nationwide, part of Ford's Financial Services Group, acquires four savings and loans.
1988 December 31 Worldwide earnings reach all-time high of $5.3 billion -- highest to date for any automotive company.
1989 January 1 The twenty millionth German-produced Ford comes off the lines.
1989 March 13 Ford's fleet of Great Lakes ore ships sold to a Cleveland- based steamship firm.
1989 April 1 William Clay Ford retires.
1989 October 31 Ford completes acquisition of The Associates, financial services company, for $3.35 billion.
1989 December 1 Ford acquires Jaguar Cars for $2.5 billion.
1989 December 15 Ford sells Rouge Steel Company (but retains 20 percent interest that it sells to Rouge Steel in 1992).

.1990

1990 March 1 Harold Poling succeeds Donald Petersen as chairman of the board; Philip Benton Jr. elected company president.
1990 March 15 Introduction of Ford Explorer sport/utility vehicle, designated a '91 model.
1990 May 7 Ford and Fiat agree to combine worldwide tractor, farm and industrial equipment operations via a new holding company -- N.H. Geotech n.v; Fiat owns 80 percent, Ford 20 percent.
1990 October 24 Ford Aerospace Corporation sold to Loral Corporation for $715 million.
1991 January 1 Cologne opens a pilot plant for vehicle recycling.
1991 July 15 Ford and Volkswagen form AutoEuropa, joint venture to produce new multipurpose vehicles at Setubal, Portugal.
1992 February 4 Ford F-Series named best-selling U.S. vehicle for 10th consecutive year.
1992 March 5 1992 Ford Taurus is first car produced in the U.S. with CFC- free air conditioning.
1992 April 14 First Mercury Villager minivan built at Ohio Assembly Plant.
1992 May 28 New plant in Alba, Hungary, dedicated; plant will produce ignition coils, fuel pumps and starter motors.
1992 July 1 Ford acquires 50 percent of Mazda Motor Manufacturing and renames the company AutoAlliance International.
1992 November 10 Ford wins NASCAR Manufacturer's Championship.
1992 December 26 New Lincoln Mark VIII introduced.
1993 January 1 Ford President Philip Benton Jr. retires.
1993 January 6 Ford Taurus named best-selling U.S. car for 1992.
1993 February 4 Ford announces plans to develop a natural-gas passenger car.
1993 February 11 Ford and Citibank introduce new Visa and MasterCard that let card users earn rebates on new Ford vehicles.
1993 March 5 Ford introduces the "world car" Mondeo in Europe, 18 months before the Ford Contour in U.S.
1993 April 18 Ford starts building Flexible-Fuel Vehicle (FFV) Taurus at Chicago Assembly Plant.
1993 June 1 Ford is first automaker to have dual air bags as standard equipment in most cars.
1993 June 20 Ford establishes first dealerships in China.
1993 July 29 Ford's one-millionth vehicle fitted with dual air bags rolls off the Atlanta (Georgia) Assembly Plant line.
1993 August 27 Seventy-fifth anniversary of Dearborn Assembly Plant (originally the Rouge Plant).
1993 August 27 One-millionth Ford Explorer produced at Louisville (Kentucky) Assembly Plant.
1993 November 1 Alex Trotman succeeds Harold Poling as chairman.
1994 January 27 First Windstar production begins at Oakville (Ontario) Assembly Plant.
1994 February 8 Sale of Mercury Capri, made by Ford of Australia, discontinued in North America.
1994 February 28 Ford China Operations is formed.
1994 March 24 Ford Windstar is introduced.
1994 April 5 Production of Duratec 2.5-liter V-6 engine begins at Cleveland Engine Plant No. 2.
1994 April 14 Ford announces the signing of an agreement to sell First Nationwide Bank to First Madison Bank.
1994 April 28 Ford China Research & Development Fund awards grants worth$1.6 million to 19 Chinese universities and institutes.
1994 April 29 Ford acquires 100 percent of Hertz Corporation, world's largest car rental company.
1994 May 9 U.S.-built Ford Taurus goes on sale in Brazil.
1994 May 20 Last Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz models are built at Kansas City (Missouri) Assembly Plant.
1994 June 9 Ford Japan introduces European-built Ford Mondeo.
1994 June 10 Ford Japan introduces U.S.-built Ford Probe GT and Japanese-built Ford Laser.
1994 August 15 Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique production starts at Cuautitlan (Mexico) Assembly Plant.
1994 August 24 Ford and Mazda agree to truck manufacturing joint venture in Thailand.
1994 September 29 Contour and Mystique, North American versions of Ford's new global cars, arrive in dealer showrooms.
1994 October 14 Ford and Mahindra & Mahindra Limited (India) establish joint venture to assemble vehicles in India.
1994 November 28 UAW/Ford Health & Fitness Center in Dearborn opens.
1995 January 1 William Clay Ford Jr. succeeds William Clay Ford as Chairman of the Finance Committee.
1995 January 1 Ford 2000 initiated; restructuring plan includes merging North American and European automotive operations into single Ford Automotive Operations (FAO).
1995 February 23 Ford and Song Cong Diesel agree to build a vehicle assembly plant east of Hanoi in Vietnam.
1995 February 23 Ford establishes joint flexible-fuel vehicle development program with China.
1995 March 29 Production of modular engines starts at new Windsor (Ontario) Engine Plant.
1995 April 19 Dagenham (England) Engine Plant builds its 28-millionth unit.
1995 April 26 AutoEuropa (Ford-Volkswagen joint venture) starts building Ford Galaxie and VW Sharan at new Palmela (Portugal) plant.
1995 May 5 New plant in Valencia (Spain) starts producing Zetec-SE4-cylinder engines.
1995 September 29 Ford plant in Plonsk (Poland) opens; to build Escort cars and Transit trucks.
1995 October 4 Ford and Song Cong Diesel have groundbreaking ceremony for new joint venture assembly plant.
1995 November 28 Ford conducts 10,000th crash test, 41 years after the first.
1995 November 30 Ford and Mazda establish AutoAlliance (Thailand) to build pickup trucks for Asia.
1995 December 18 Aeromax, Ford's first all-new, heavy-duty truck in 25 years, built at Kentucky Truck Plant.
1995 December 26 Ford announces return to the Egyptian market, after leaving in the mid-1960s
1996 March 26 Ford announces joint venture with Sistemaire, automotive components maker in Argentina.
1996 March 27 Ford opens sales and marketing office in Moscow to serve dealers in Russia.
1996 April 18 New Ford plant near Sao Paulo starts making components for Fiestas to be built in Brazil.
1996 April 30 Vehicle lighting design and development center opens at Ford's Autopal Plant in Czech Republic.
1996 May 16 Mazda and Ford enter into a closer tie-up with Ford increasing its equity share from 25% to 33.4%; Henry Wallace becomes first non-Japanese president of a major Japanese company.
1996 May 23 Belarus government, Ford and Ford's dealer in Belarus agree to form joint venture manufacturing company near Minsk to assemble Escorts and Transits.
1996 August 26 First Ford Escort produced in Nashik (India) rolls off the line in Ford/Mahindra & Mahindra joint venture.
1996 September 29 Ford of Korea, joint venture with Kia Motor Company -- Ford owns 90 percent, Kia 10 percent -- established to distribute cars, minivans and sport utility vehicles to dealers in South Korea.
1996 October 8 Two-hundred-fifty-millionth Ford vehicle built.
1997 January 14 Ford announces agreement to transfer ownership of Budget Rent a Car to Team Rental Group.
1997 February 19 Ford signs letter of intent to sell heavy truck business to Freightliner Corp.
1997 February 19 Ford launches 1997 Escort and Mercury Tracer in Middle East.
1997 March 4 Ford automotive plants first to achieve world environmental standard ISO 14001.
1997 March 6 First Ford Taurus goes on sale in Russia.
1997 April 23 Ford sells 18.5% of its shares of Hertz to be offered for public sale on the NYSE.
1997 July 1 Lincoln Navigator is introduced in U.S.
1997 August 1 Ford Puma is introduced in U.K.
1997 August 21 Ford sells first natural gas taxis to New York City.
1997 September 9 Ford creates Visteon Automotive Systems for the design, development, and delivery of fully integrated systems, replacing Ford Automotive Products Operations.
1998 January 22 Lincoln-Mercury announces its headquarters will move to Irvine, Calif., in 1998 to foster continued development of unique brands.
1998 January 26 Lincoln Mercury announces plans to discontinue production of the Lincoln Mark VIII luxury coupe in June 1998.
1998 January 27 Ford reports record $6.9 billion earnings for 1997.
1998 February 4 Ford employees earn record profit sharing averaging $4,400.
1998 March 1 Ford Taurus takes first Winston Cup victory.
1998 March 3 Ford sets timing (April 7, 1998) for spin-off of $22.7 billion stake in The Associates and a cash distribution of $3.1 billion to shareholders of record on March 12, 1998.
1998 March 4 Ford employees earn record profit sharing averaging $4,400.
1998 March 5 Ford and Mobil Corporation form strategic alliance to speed the development of breakthrough fuel and vehicle technologies.
1998 April 7 Ford, Daimler-Benz and Ballard complete agreement to develop fuel-cell technology for future vehicles.
1998 April 8 Ford announces intent to introduce side-impact air bags throughout North American car lineup.
1998 April 9 Edsel B. Ford II resigns post as president of Ford Credit to continue family involvement in community service.
1998 May 12 Kentucky Truck to open metal stamping plant for 1999 production.
1998 May 14 Ford Ka introduced in Moscow.
1998 May 29 Spirit of Ford Automotive Science & Technology Center officially opens to the public.
1998 July 14 America's premier luxury automotive company becomes a California-based firm today as Lincoln Mercury opens its new world headquarters in Irvine, California.
1998 September 18 The U. S. Postal Service awards a $206.4 million contract to Ford for 10,000 alternative fuel delivery vehicles to replace aging postal vehicles used for daily delivery to city and business customers.
1998 September 21 Ford and NASA bring artificial intelligence to vehicles courtesy of a new neural network computer chip that mimics the human mind. The new intelligent chip promises to reduce vehicle emissions and improve fuel economy by monitoring fuel combustion.
1998 October 13 Ford Motor Company and ZF Friedrichshafen AG announce their intention to form a joint venture to produce automatic transmissions at Ford's Batavia (Ohio) Transmission Plant.
1998 October 20 Jaguar's new S-TYPE sports saloon makes its world debut at the Birmingham International Motor Show.
1998 November 17 The new Ford Focus wins the prestigious 'European Car of the Year' award.
1998 November 30 The 1999 Ford Windstar minivan earns the highest scores possible in government frontal crash test ratings.
1998 December 8 Ford becomes the first and only automotive company to certify its plants around the world under ISO 14001 - 140 plants in 26 countries.
1999 January 1 Ford announces its intention to acquire 51% interest in Norway's PIVCO Industries, maker of the TH!NK two-seat electric city car.
1999 January 1 Sir Alex Trotman, Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Co. retires. William Clay Ford Jr. assumes chairmanship of the company; Jacques Nasser becomes President and Chief Executive Officer. New management team assumes leadership.
1999 February 1 An explosion at the Rouge Complex in Dearborn kills six employees and injures 24.
1999 March 1 Ford enters into a definitive agreement with AB Volvo for the purchase of Volvo's worldwide passenger car business for a price of $6.45 billion.
1999 March 2 Ford opens the first franchised Ford sales and service facility in Kazakhstan, Turkey operated by RAM Auto Almaty Ltd. - 1 100 percent owned subsidiary of the Koc Group.
1999 March 3 Ford pays record profit sharing averaging $6,100.
1999 March 8 Volvo shareholders approve purchase transaction of passenger car business to Ford.
1999 March 9 Ford demonstrates its global commitment to environmental leadership and responsibility with the launch of the new Ford Focus, Ford Mondeo AFV, and TH!NK [zero-emission electric city car scheduled to go on sale in Scandinavia later this year] models at the Geneva Auto Show.
1999 March 17 Ford of Canada announces intent to franchise all existing dealerships under one brand, Ford, in the 2000 model year.
1999 March 17 Thirteen Salt Lake City Ford dealers launch the Utah Auto Collection - a new concept in automotive retailing.
1999 March 19 Ford establishes the Premier Auto Group consisting of Aston Martin, Jaguar and Lincoln [Volvo will later be included in this group].
1999 March 31 Ford completes the purchase of Volvo Car and incorporates Volvo it as part of the Premier Auto Group.
1999 March 31 Ford Credit becomes the first direct issuer to sell commercial paper on the Worldwide Web.
1999 April 26 Ford completes its first purchase of a vehicle disassembly company (Copher Brothers Auto Parts in Tampa, Florida) as part of a bigger plan to create a global network of state-of-the art vehicle recycling companies.
1999 May 17 Ford announces that all pickup trucks will be Low Emission Vehicles, starting with F-Series trucks in model year 2000 and adding Ranger for 2001 model year, with the large majority preceding any U.S. emissions requirements by years.
1999 June 11 Ford Motor Company reaches agreement to buy Automobile Protection Corporation [APCO] for approximately $180 million.
1999 June 15 Ford opens a $35 million European advanced research centre in Aachen, Germany. Ford announces its position as the largest producer of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) in the world.
1999 August 26 Ford announces it will close its cold weather testing facility in Bemidji, Minnesota due to inconsistent climatic conditions.
1999 September 16 Ford opens £700,000 innovative training center at Ford Transit Plant in Southampton.
1999 September 17 Ford announces it will deliver the first "no compromise" family-oriented hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) to the Department of Energy early next month.
1999 September 17 Ford Motor Company Philippines celebrates the inauguration of its four-billion peso Manila, Philippines, plant, situated in a 21-hectare property inside the Greenfield Automotive Park in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
1999 October 4 Ford announces that they are requiring ISO 14001 certification from all of its suppliers with manufacturing facilities.
1999 October 25 Jaguar Cars announces that it has surpassed its long-standing, single-year sales record in the United States.
1999 November 1 Norway's first mass-produced vehicle, the TH!NK city starts rolling off the assembly line in Oslo.
1999 November 1 Ford and the UAW sign a new four-year national labor contract.
1999 November 2 In the first-ever sale of electric vehicles by a major auto maker in Canada, Ford of Canada completes delivery of 16 battery-powered, zero-emission 1999 Ford Ranger EV pickup trucks to Quebec-based [Canada] customers.
1999 November 9 Ford today announces plans to cease production at its assembly plant at Plonsk, Poland, as part of an ongoing restructuring of Ford's European manufacturing operations.
1999 November 10 Ford is acknowledged as the first automaker in the world to certify a production vehicle to California's strict LEV II emissions requirements.
1999 November 12 Norway's first mass-produced vehicle, TH!NK City, begins rolling off the assembly line in Aurskog, Norway.
1999 November 16 Ford Division's sales of new cars and trucks surpassed the three million mark in the U.S. It was the earliest date ever that Ford, America's top selling brand of cars and trucks, had reached that milestone.
1999 November 24 Ford Motor Company [U.K.] announces that it will purchase the Pi Group, a leading supplier of high-technology electronics to the automotive industry.
1999 November 24 Lincoln LS is named Motor Trend Car of the Year.
1999 December 19 The Model T is named Car of the Century at an internationally attended gala in Las Vegas.
1999 December 26 U.S. Postal Service awards Ford Motor Company largest ever electric vehicle order.

.2000

2000 January 6 Ford donates more than $12 million to four Detroit organizations: Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Zoo, Detroit Science Center and Henry Ford Academy.
2000 January 7 The 'Ford Racing Puma' officially goes on sale in the UK, priced from £22,750 on-the-road.
2000 January 10 At the North American International Auto Show, Ford announces that it will begin producing and selling a family-size hybrid electric vehicle by 2003.
2000 January 10 TH!NK, an enterprise of Ford Motor Company, today unveiled a family size sedan powered by the latest generation methanol reformer fuel cell electric powertrain.
2000 January 10 Ford Focus is the first vehicle to receive both the North AmericanCar of the Year and the European Car of the Year awards.
2000 January 11 Ford announces it will open a new design studio in London in 2001.
2000 January 26 Ford reports record earnings of $7.2 billion in 1999, more than any other automotive company in history .
2000 January 26 Ford Motor Company Reports industry-record operating income of $7.2 billion in 1999 and record Fourth Quarter Earnings of $1.8 billion
2000 January 27 Ford announces a record Profit Sharing average of $8,000 for 1999.
2000 January 28 Ford of Canada officially opens the YMCA Child Care Centre at the Ford operation in Oakville, offering Ford employees and community residents a state-of-the-art learning environment for preschoolers.
2000 February 2 Ford Motor Company and UPS Logistics Group, a subsidiary of United Parcel Service, have formed a strategic alliance to reduce vehicle delivery time from Ford plants to dealers and customers.
2000 February 3 Ford announces that eligible employees worldwide will be provided a computer, printer and Internet usage at home for a nominal fee.
2000 February 25 Volvo Car Corporation formally announces the creation of Volvo CarSouth Africa (Pty) Ltd., (VCSA), to manage and develop its share of theSouth African prestige car market.
2000 February 25 Ford, GM, and DaimlerChrysler jointly announce that they are planning to combine their efforts to form a business-to-business integrated supplier exchange through a single global portal.
2000 March 17 Ford Motor Company announces that it has reached a memorandum of understanding to buy Land Rover from the BMW Group
2000 April 3 Ford sets all-time monthly U.S. sales record
2000 April 10 Mazda to participate in the joint project for the test run of fuel cell vehicles in cooperation with DaimlerChrysler Japan holding and Nippon Mitsubishi oil.
2000 April 13 Ford teams with U.S. Dealers and J.D. Power to launch Blue Oval certified(tm) - most comprehensive customer satisfaction initiative in automotive retailing.
2000 April 14 Ford Motor Co. Board of Directors approves major shareholder value actions:. A Value Enhancement plan that offers Ford shareholders new Ford shares. Independence plan for Visteon Corporation
2000 May 8 Ford introduces the propane-powered, bi-fuel Super Duty F-Series chassis cab for the 2000 model year.
2000 May 23 BMW Group and Ford Motor Company announce that they have signed a definitive agreement for Ford to buy the Land Rover business from BMW.
2000 June 14 The one millionth European Ford Focus rolls off the Saarlouis production line inGermany, the first Ford in Europe to have reached this milestone in under two years.
2000 June 16 The newest Ford dealership in Europe, believed to be the world's first purpose-built 'green' dealer facility, was opened today at Umeå in northern Sweden.
2000 June 26 Ford delivers 15,000th bi-fuel vehicle to U.S. Department of Energy.
2000 June 29 Visteon officially becomes an independent company and begins public trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
2000 June 30 Ford officially takes ownership of Land Rover from the BMW Group.
2000 July 21 The last Ford Transit is driven off the production line at the Southampton plant.
2000 July 21 The last Ford Escort is driven off the production line at Halewood, Merseyside.
2000 September 6 Ford President Jacques Nasser appears before a Senate investigating committee on the Firestone tire recall in which he announces new tire safety initiatives that will ensure that governments around the world receive consistent information on safety actions.
2000 September 14 The Ford Board of Directors announces that it has completed a detailed review of the issues surrounding the Firestone tire recall, and is satisfied that all appropriate resources are being deployed to deal with customers' needs. Board members will continue to review any new developments.
2000 September 21 Ford of Canada delivers the first TH!NK city electric vehicle in Canada to the chairman and CEO of Ballard Power Systems.
2000 September 25 Neiman Marcus Edition of the model year 2002 Ford Thunderbird sets a world record for any vehicle offered through the Neiman catalog. The 200 vehicles [intended to be collectors' items] were completely sold out within 2 hours and 15 minutes after the phone lines opened.
2000 October 25 Ford donates $5 million to Princeton University's Environmental Institute for research on carbon and greenhouse gas issues.
2000 October 27 Ford announces it will donate $1.4 million to the San Diego Environment Foundation [SDEF] for the preservation, protection and enhancement of the San Elijo Lagoon in San Diego.
2000 November 14 Ford begins redevelopment of the entire Ford Rouge Center which will include a new vehicle assembly plant as the centerpiece of the nation's largest industrial redevelopment project.
2001 January 9 Ford Expedition becomes only SUV to earn top government crash ratings, earning a double five star rating in front crash testing.
2001 February 12 Ford Motor Company and Navistar International Corporation announce that they intend to form a joint venture to build commercial trucks.
2001 March 9 Ford repurchases the 18.5 percent shares of Hertz the company sold in 1997, once again making Hertz a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford.
2001 April 8 Ford receives prestigious environmental award from Pacific Basin Economic Council.
2001 April 30 Boost America! Campaign is launched giving away a million booster seats and offering education on booster seat safety.
2001 May 17 Ford donates $10 million to Northwestern University for new Engineering Design Center.
2001 May 22 Ford announces tire replacement program for 13 million Firestone Wilderness AT tires.
2001 June 19 CEO Jacques Nasser appears before Congressional Subcommittee on Commerce in Washington to discuss the second Firestone Tire recall.
2001 July 12 Ford elects Richard J. Manoogian, chairman and CEO of Masco Corporation, to Board of Directors.
2001 July 26 Ford forms Office of the Chairman and CEO.
2001 July 31 Electric TH!NK city Cars available to customers in California.
2001 August 7 Ford and Navistar join forces to create Blue Diamond Truck Company to build medium commercial trucks.
2001 August 21 Ford P2000 Hydrogen Ice vehicle debuts that could help bridge the gap between gasoline vehicles and the fuel cell vehicles of the future.
2001 August 21 As part of a commitment to safety, Ford introduces a series of initiatives including the Ford VIRTTEX Driving Simulator, CamCar blind spot eliminator and SensorCar system that predicts impacts before they occur.
2001 August 21 Ford Explorer to join Escape in featuring hybrid electric technology.
2001 August 30 10 Ford vehicles to offer industry-leading personal safety system (includes pretensioners in safety belt system and dual stage air bags) that was first introduced on the 2000 Taurus and Sable.
2001 September 2 Ford's first production-prototype fuel cell vehicle, the Focus FCV, debuts at Frankfurt Auto Show.
2001 September 4 Land Rover reports 200,000th vehicle sold in North America since inception in 1986.
2001 September 6 Six Model Ts that replicate the 1914 model will be rebuilt as part of the centennial celebration. Four will be displayed at Greenfield Village.
2001 October 9 Ford Escape sets all time sales record for small SUVs, with 2001 sales totaling 121,184 to date.
2001 October 26 Ford introduces diesel-powered research vehicle that will meet California's Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II standards.
2001 October 30 Jac Nasser retires as CEO of Ford Motor Company. William Clay Ford, Jr. is named CEO and continues as chairman of the board.
2001 November 21 Ford Thunderbird named Motor Trend Car of the Year for record fourth time.
2001 December 26 F-Series celebrates 25th anniversary as America's best-selling truck.
2002 January 11 Ford Motor Company announces revitalization plan to strengthen its position in the marketplace and improve its financial results.
2002 May 1 500,000th Ranger Rover produced at Solihull manufacturing plant today.
2002 May 16 Ford creates first U.S. Supplier Manufacturing Campus in Chicago.
2002 June 16 Ford concept and memorabilia auction with Christie's brings in $4,365,968 for Ford Fund charities.
2002 July 9 Ford dedicates new car plant in St. Petersburg, Russia that will produce the Ford Focus.
2002 July 15 Ford’s SVT team introduces the 2003 5-door SVT Focus.
2002 July 17 As part of the Centennial Celebration, Ford will offer Centennial packages on Explorer, Taurus, F-Series, Focus and Mustang.
2002 August 2 Ford’s Sharonville Transmission Plant begins production of a new 5-speed automatic truck transmission called TorqShift®.
2002 August 28 Ford of Europe introduces the World Rally Championship inspired Focus RS as well as the new Ford Streetka and Sportka.
2002 September 4 Ford Performance Group is launched to combine the strength of SVT, Ford Racing Technology and Vehicle Personalization.
2002 September 16 Five-millionth Explorer produced at Kentucky Truck Plant.
2002 October 7 Mercury introduces the all-new 2003 Monterey Minivan.
2002 October 10 Ford and GM announce partnership to develop all-new fuel-efficient transmission.
2002 October 16 Volvo XC90 receives Motor Trend’s 2003 Sport Utility of the Year award.
2002 October 29 Ford Ranger receives Best in Class for pickups in the 2003 DOE/EPA fuel guide.
2002 November 5 Ford introduces all new 6.0L Power Stroke Diesel engine.
2002 November 7 Ford Focus ZX3 is named Best in Class by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.
2002 November 22 Jaguar, Aston Martin and Ford brands appear in James Bond’s Die Another Day movie.
2002 December 3 Ford announces that the new Dearborn Truck Plant will be home to the redesigned 2004 F-Series. Ford Rouge Center, part of DTP, is designated an official wildlife habitat.
2002 December 10 Car & Driver names Focus one of the “10 Best Cars” for the fourth year in a row.
2002 December 10 Ford’s new 6.0L diesel engine named one of 2003’s “10 Best” by Ward’s AutoWorld.
2002 December 16 North American debut of Jaguar XJ Sedan.
2002 December 17 Henry Ford recognized as pioneer of aviation.
2003 January 5 New Ford Auto Show stand unveiled at 2003 North American International Auto Show.
2003 January 5 Mustang concept introduced at 2003 North American International Auto Show.
2003 January 5 Ford 427 concept introduced.
2003 January 6 Lincoln Navicross introduced at 2003 North American International Auto Show.
2003 January 30 Lincoln Aviator lands in Puerto Rico.
2003 February 4 Al Jazirah vehicles hit 100,000 mark with Ford and Lincoln in Saudi Arabia.
2003 February 13 Ford Freestar unveiled at 2003 Canadian International Auto Show.
2003 February 19 Ford Focus C-Max unveiled at 2003 Geneva Motor Show.
2003 March 18 Lincoln Aviator Kitty Hawk unveiled at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
2003 May 8 Ford announces new corporate logo
2003 June 3 Ford installs World’s Largest Living Roof on new truck plant
2003 June 10 First 2004 F-150 rolls off assembly line in Norfolk
2003 June 13 Ford GT is reborn
2003 June 16 Ford Motor Company celebrates Centennial
2003 July 15 Ford announces all-new 3.5 liter V-6 engine
2003 July 21 First 2004 F-150 rolls off Kansas City Assembly line using new flexible manufacturing system
2003 July 31 Ford racing unveils ’04 Taurus and F-150
2003 August 7 Ford introduces Industry-First police vehicle
2003 August 13 Ford SVT F-150 Lightning earns the title “World’s Fastest Production Pickup” according to Guinness World Records™.
2003 August 21 Ford GT production car nets $557,500 Christie’s auction.
2003 September 30 Henry Ford named most influential entrepreneur in American history.
2003 October 1 Ford’s F-Series truck sets September record as sales soar 31 percent.
2003 October 6 Ford announces that the all-new Futura will be built at Hermosillo.