(F) NYSEThe Ford Motor Co. has produced 270 billion vehicles throughout its lustrous history. Ford Motor located in Dearborn, Michigan is the largest truck maker in the world. Ford's F-Series pick-up trucks are #1 in truck manufacturing. The company is #2 overall in the manufacturing of cars and trucks combined, behind GM. There are 150 Ford Motor assembly-plants worldwide. Ford is also the world leader in auto financing with their Ford Motor Credit business, and owns 81% of Hertz, which is the top car rental business in the world. Ford Motor has bought Volvo's passenger vehicle business, which will help attract a different type of target market. In, North America Ford has broke record sales and earnings mainly because of the truck sales. There was a different affect in Europe and South America where sales have lagged. The Ford Motor Co. owns about 34 % of the Daewoo Corporation, which is Korea's #2 automaker. This contract should help build a foundation for Ford Motor in Europe. The Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903 in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford's first famous car was the Model-T, which was produced in 1908 on the first moving assembly line. Fords were accounted for 60% of all vehicles on roads in 1920. In 1938, Ford's market share fell behind competitors General Motors and Chrysler. But, in 1950 the company fought back and remained in the #2 position. In 1956, the Ford Motor Co. allowed outside ownership. Ford sales rose with the introduction of the Edsel in 1958, and the powerful Mustang in 1964. In 1980, financial problems caused Ford to cut its workforce by 33% and shutdown 15 plants. With the introduction of the Taurus and Sable in 1988, Ford had its largest share of 21.7% in the U.S. car market. I, 1997, Ford beat GM to the China market by the production of minibuses. Ford expanded customer service in 1999, by creating build-to-order car through their web-site. Already in 2000 Ford Motor C...
