Ford

Ford Motor Company is one of the oldest and most iconic American car manufacturers, having introduced the world to the assembly-line factory for cars. Ford has produced some of the most beloved classic cars in the US, including the sleek Mustang and the classic Thunderbird. However, Ford has also had its fair share of mishaps, such as the infamous Edsel and Pinto models.

With its headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, Ford is a well-known name in the US corporate world. Despite some recent setbacks, including layoffs and financial troubles, Ford is still known for producing some of the most popular cars on the market. In particular, Ford's pickup trucks, particularly the F-150 line, are a common sight on farms and ranches throughout the US and Canada.

In the late 1990s, Ford focused on creating larger truck models and a number of popular SUVs. However, with rising gas prices and the resulting decrease in demand for SUVs, Ford has faced some tough challenges.

Despite these challenges, Ford has a strong international presence, with a 10% share of the European market. Ford's popular fuel-efficient compacts marketed in Europe may be the key to helping the company recover from its recent troubles. In addition, Ford's acquisition of Jaguar in 1989 and Volvo in 1999 may be part of a larger long-term strategy to expand globally.

Founder Henry Ford made history by marketing the Model T through the Sears Catalog, with the famous line that "you could have any color you wanted, as long as it was black!"

In 2006, Bill Ford announced that Alan Mulally would be taking over as CEO and President of Ford Motor Company. Mulally had previously engineered a dramatic turnaround for Boeing's Commercial Airplanes Division as its CEO, and his appointment at Ford brought hope for a similar transformation. Despite the challenges Ford has faced, the company continues to look forward to a bright future under Mulally's leadership.