Written by Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is the American car maker Henry Ford founded in 1903, and it is best known for the Model T, the F-Series pickup and the Mustang. This guide covers the current Ford lineup, as well as the company’s history and ownership, its biggest achievements and its racing history.
Ford Motor Company at a Glance
Founded 16 June 1903 Detroit, Michigan
Founder Henry Ford With 11 other investors
Headquarters Dearborn Michigan, United States
Listed NYSE: F Public since 1956
US sales 2025 2,204,124 Up 6%; 13.2% market share
Leadership Jim Farley CEO; Bill Ford is executive chair
Ford Motor Company Model Lineup
Ford Motor Company sells a different range in each region, so the list below shows its core models in 2026, grouped by type. The Escape and the electric F-150 Lightning ended production in December 2025, while an affordable electric pickup called the Fathom is due in 2027.
Trucks (4)
Full-size pickup
Ford F-150
Gas Hybrid Pickup
The F-150 is the core of the F-Series, which has been America’s best-selling truck for 49 years in a row; in 2025 alone, Ford sold 828,832 F-Series trucks in the US. A PowerBoost full hybrid is also available, but the electric F-150 Lightning was discontinued in December 2025.
Heavy-duty pickup
Ford Super Duty
Gas Diesel Pickup
The F-250 to F-450 heavy-duty pickups and chassis cabs are built for towing and hard work. All of them also come from Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant.
Mid-size pickup
Ford Ranger
Gas Diesel Plug-in hybrid Global
The Ranger is Ford’s global mid-size pickup, so it is built in Thailand, South Africa, Argentina and Michigan. In addition, a plug-in hybrid version joined the range in 2025.
Compact pickup
Ford Maverick
Hybrid Gas Pickup
This compact unibody pickup launched in 2021 and is built in Hermosillo, Mexico. Ford also calls it America’s most affordable pickup, and US sales reached 155,051 in 2025.
SUVs (6)
Off-road SUV
Ford Bronco
Gas 4×4 Two- and four-door
The off-roader returned in 2021, 25 years after the original ended, and it is built in Wayne, Michigan. It then set a US sales record in 2025 with 146,007 sold, and it is also sold in Europe.
Compact SUV
Ford Bronco Sport
Gas 4×4
The Bronco Sport is a smaller, car-based Bronco built in Hermosillo, Mexico, while its boxy styling borrows from the full-size off-roader.
Three-row SUV
Ford Explorer
Gas 3 rows Family SUV
The family SUV launched in 1990 and is built in Chicago. It was also America’s best-selling three-row SUV in 2025, with 222,706 sales.
Full-size SUV
Ford Expedition
Gas 3 rows Tremor off-road version
The full-size, body-on-frame SUV was all new for 2025, including a rugged Tremor version. As a result, 2025 was its best US sales year since 2019.
Seven-seat SUV
Ford Everest
Diesel 4×4 Asia-Pacific & Africa
The Everest is a Ranger-based seven-seat SUV that was developed in Australia. It is built in Thailand for Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, but it is not sold in North America.
Compact SUV
Ford Kuga
Hybrid Plug-in hybrid Europe
The Kuga is Europe’s version of the Escape and is built in Valencia, Spain. Although the North American Escape ended production in December 2025, the Kuga is planned to continue until the end of the decade.
Electric (4)
Electric SUV
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Electric Global
The Mach-E is Ford’s first purpose-built electric SUV. Since its 2020 launch it has been built in Cuautitlán, Mexico, and it sold 51,620 units in the US in 2025.
Electric SUV
Ford Explorer EV
Electric Europe
This European electric SUV shares its name, but not its body, with the American Explorer. Instead, it is built in Cologne, Germany, on Volkswagen’s MEB electric platform.
Electric coupe-SUV
Ford Capri
Electric Europe
In 2024 Ford revived the classic Capri name for an electric coupe-SUV, which is also built in Cologne on Volkswagen’s MEB platform.
Small crossover
Ford Puma / Puma Gen-E
Mild hybrid Electric Europe
Europe’s small crossover is built in Craiova, Romania. It is offered with mild-hybrid gas power or, since 2024, as the fully electric Puma Gen-E.
Performance and commercial (2)
Sports car
Ford Mustang
Gas V8 Coupe & convertible
The seventh-generation Mustang went on sale in 2024 and is built in Flat Rock, Michigan. The range also includes the track-focused Dark Horse as well as the Mustang GTD road-going supercar.
Van
Ford Transit
Gas Diesel Electric Commercial
The Transit has been Ford’s commercial van since 1965, and today it is built in Kansas City, Missouri, and Kocaeli, Türkiye, among other plants. The E-Transit is the electric version, while US Transit sales reached 161,797 in 2025.
What Is Ford Motor Company?
Ford Motor Company is an American car maker headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. Henry Ford founded it in Detroit on 16 June 1903 with backing from 11 other investors, after two earlier car companies of his had failed. In fact, the second of those was reorganized without him as Cadillac.
Henry Ford wanted to build a car that ordinary families could afford. The Model T of 1908, the moving assembly line of 1913 and the $5 working day of 1914 made that possible, and as a result they changed manufacturing far beyond the car industry. More than 15 million Model Ts were built before production finally ended in 1927.
Today Ford Motor Company is organized into Ford Blue (gas and hybrid vehicles), Ford Model e (electric vehicles and software) and Ford Pro (commercial vehicles and services), while Ford Credit provides financing. It also owns the luxury brand Lincoln. Meanwhile, Henry Ford’s descendants still control about 40% of shareholder votes through special Class B shares.
Ford Motor Company History
Ford Motor Company has been building cars for more than a century, from Henry Ford’s first car in 1896 to the electric era.
- 1896 Henry Ford builds his first car, the Quadricycle, in Detroit while working for the Edison Illuminating Company.
- 1903 Ford Motor Company is founded in Detroit on 16 June, after two earlier ventures failed.
- 1908 The Model T goes on sale and soon becomes the car that puts America on wheels.
- 1913 The moving assembly line starts at the Highland Park plant, so Model Ts can be built far faster.
- 1914 Ford then introduces the $5 working day, roughly doubling factory pay.
- 1922 Ford buys the Lincoln Motor Company after it runs into financial trouble.
- 1927 The Model A replaces the Model T after more than 15 million were built.
- 1932 Five years later, the Ford V8 brings the V8 engine to low-priced cars.
- 1948 The first F-Series pickup, the F-1, arrives after the Second World War.
- 1956 Ford shares are sold to the public for the first time, although the family keeps voting control.
- 1964 The Mustang is launched and soon creates the pony car class.
- 1966 Ford GT40s finish first, second and third at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finally beating Ferrari.
- 1999 Ford buys Volvo Cars and forms its Premier Automotive Group, which later also included Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin.
- 2009 Ford gets through the financial crisis without bankruptcy or a government bailout, because it had arranged loans in 2006.
- 2021 The revived Bronco goes on sale, and the new Maverick pickup soon follows.
- 2026 Ford returns to Formula 1 as Red Bull’s power-unit partner, more than 20 years after it last raced there.
Iconic Ford Models
These six cars shaped Ford Motor Company and the wider car world, from the Model T to the first Transit van.
1908–1927
Ford Model T
Mass-produced 15 million built
The Model T put the world on wheels. Its price fell from $850 at launch to under $300 in the 1920s, since the assembly line sped up production.
1932
Ford V8 (Model 18)
First low-priced V8
Ford was the first company to put a V8 engine in a low-priced car. Later, the flathead V8 became a favorite of hot rodders for decades.
1948
Ford F-1
First F-Series
The F-1 was the first F-Series truck. Since 1977, its successors have been America’s best-selling truck every year.
1955
Ford Thunderbird
Two-seat convertible Personal luxury car
The Thunderbird was Ford’s answer to the Chevrolet Corvette, but it was sold as a “personal car” rather than a sports car. As a result, it outsold the Corvette many times over in its first year.
1964–1973
Ford Mustang (first generation)
Pony car 1 million in 2 years
When it launched in April 1964, the Mustang created the “pony car” class, and it passed a million sales within two years. Ford then built its 10 millionth Mustang in 2018.
1965–1978
Ford Transit (first generation)
Van Ford of Europe
The Transit became Europe’s everyday workhorse, and it was also an early joint project of Ford’s British and German operations.
Who Owns Ford Motor Company?
Ford Motor Company is a public company, but it has never stopped being a family company, because Henry Ford’s descendants control about 40% of shareholder votes. Over the years Ford has also owned or held stakes in several other car brands, and today it works with partners in Europe, Türkiye and China. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Shareholders Public shareholders and the Ford family NYSE: F · the family holds about 40% of votes through Class B shares
This page Ford Motor Company Dearborn, Michigan · Ford Blue, Ford Model e, Ford Pro and Ford Credit
100% Lincoln Ford’s luxury brand, bought in 1922
41% Ford Otosan Joint venture with Koç Holding in Türkiye; builds Transit vans
50% Changan Ford Joint venture with Changan Automobile in China
Partners and joint ventures
Ford shares vehicles and technology with other car makers in order to cut costs, especially in Europe and China.
- Lincoln (luxury brand)
- Volkswagen (vans and the MEB electric platform)
- Renault (two Ford electric cars from 2028)
- Ford Otosan (Koç Holding, Türkiye)
- Changan Ford (China)
- JMC (China, about 32%)
In addition, Ford’s battery joint venture with SK On, BlueOval SK, was split between the two companies in December 2025, so each now runs separate plants.
Brands Ford Motor Company has owned
- Mercury (1938–2011) Ford’s mid-priced brand, until it closed in 2011.
- Edsel (1957–1959) A famous flop that was withdrawn after only three model years.
- Aston Martin (1987–2007) Ford sold it to a group of investors in 2007, after 20 years of ownership.
- Jaguar (1989–2008) Sold together with Land Rover to Tata Motors in 2008, during the financial crisis.
- Land Rover (2000–2008) Sold together with Jaguar to Tata Motors in 2008.
- Volvo Cars (1999–2010) Ford sold it to Geely Holding in 2010, after 11 years of ownership.
- Mazda (stake, 1979–2015) Ford owned up to a third of Mazda until it sold its last shares in 2015.
Ford Motor Company Accomplishments
Ford Motor Company changed how cars are built and sold, and it still holds some of the longest-running sales records in the industry.
1913
Moving assembly line
Because of the moving line at Highland Park, the time to build a Model T chassis fell from about 12 hours to about 90 minutes.
1914
The $5 day
Ford roughly doubled factory pay, so staff turnover fell and its own workers became customers for its cars.
15 million
Model Ts built
The Model T held the production record for a single model until the Volkswagen Beetle passed it in 1972.
1932
Affordable V8
The Ford V8 was the first low-priced car sold with a V8 engine, so V8 power was no longer only for expensive cars.
4 in a row
Le Mans wins
GT40s first won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966 with a 1-2-3 finish, and then won every year until 1969.
155
Grand Prix wins
Cars powered by the Ford Cosworth DFV V8 won 155 Grands Prix between 1967 and 1983, more than any other engine of its era.
49 years
Best-selling US truck
The F-Series has been America’s best-selling truck every year since 1977, and it has also been the country’s best-selling vehicle since 1982.
10 million
Mustangs built
Ford built its 10 millionth Mustang in 2018, 54 years after the first.
2,204,124
US sales in 2025
It was Ford’s best US sales year of the decade so far, including a record 228,072 hybrids.
Ford Racing History
Ford Motor Company has won at the top level in sports cars, Formula 1, rallying and stock cars. Its most famous victories came at the Circuit de la Sarthe, home of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while its NASCAR history runs through tracks such as Daytona and Talladega.
Le Mans, 1966–1969
Ford GT40
Le Mans winner Sports cars
After talks to buy Ferrari collapsed, Ford built the GT40 to beat it. GT40s then won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four years running from 1966, a story told in the 2019 film Ford v Ferrari. Later, a new Ford GT won its class at Le Mans in 2016.
Formula 1, 1967–1983
Ford Cosworth DFV
155 wins 12 drivers’ titles
Ford paid for the DFV V8, while Cosworth designed it. The engine won on its debut in a Lotus 49 in 1967 and then went on to win 155 Grands Prix. Ford also returned to Formula 1 in 2026 as technical partner to Red Bull Powertrains.
World Rally Championship
Ford Escort, Focus and Fiesta
4 manufacturers’ titles Rally
Ford won the manufacturers’ title with the Escort in 1979, the Focus in 2006 and 2007, and M-Sport’s Fiesta in 2017. In addition, Björn Waldegård (1979), Ari Vatanen (1981) and Sébastien Ogier (2017, 2018) won drivers’ titles in Fords.
Stock car racing
Ford in NASCAR
Cup champions 2022–2024 Mustang
Ford drivers won three straight NASCAR Cup Series titles, all for Team Penske: Joey Logano in 2022 and 2024, as well as Ryan Blaney in 2023. Ford has also raced a Mustang body in the Cup Series since 2019.
Talk Ford With Other Owners
Every Ford has a story, whether it is a Model T restoration or a new Bronco build. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a Ford community space where owners and enthusiasts can compare trucks, share repair tips and plan meetups.
- Towing and payload
- Owner reviews
- Maintenance and repairs
- Classic Ford restoration
- Mustang and performance
- Off-road builds
- Ford meets and events
- Buying used
Ford Motor Company FAQ
Who founded Ford Motor Company?
Henry Ford founded Ford Motor Company in Detroit on 16 June 1903, with backing from 11 other investors. The company later moved its headquarters to nearby Dearborn, Michigan, where it remains today.
Who owns Ford Motor Company?
Ford Motor Company is a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker F. Investment firms hold most of its shares, but the Ford family still controls about 40% of shareholder votes through Class B shares. In addition, Bill Ford, Henry Ford’s great-grandson, is executive chair.
What brands does Ford own?
Today Ford Motor Company sells vehicles under two brands: Ford and Lincoln, its luxury brand since 1922. In the past, however, it also owned Mercury, Edsel, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo Cars, and it held a large stake in Mazda.
What is Ford’s best-selling vehicle?
It is the F-Series pickup, which has been America’s best-selling truck for 49 years in a row. It has also been the best-selling vehicle overall for 44 years, with 828,832 sold in the US in 2025.
Did Henry Ford invent the assembly line?
No, because assembly lines existed before, for example in meatpacking plants. However, Ford was the first to use a moving assembly line to mass-produce something as complex as a car, starting at its Highland Park plant in 1913.
Did Ford really beat Ferrari at Le Mans?
Yes. After talks to buy Ferrari collapsed in 1963, Ford developed the GT40, which finished first, second and third at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. It then won again in 1967, 1968 and 1969, and the 2019 film Ford v Ferrari dramatizes the 1966 race.
Is Ford going electric?
Ford sells gas, hybrid and electric vehicles, although it has scaled back some electric plans. For example, it ended the F-150 Lightning in December 2025 and is now focusing on lower-cost electric vehicles, starting with the Fathom pickup. The Fathom was announced in August 2026 at $28,350 and is due in 2027, while Ford’s hybrid sales reached a record in 2025.
Where are Ford vehicles made?
Ford Motor Company builds vehicles in the United States (Michigan, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois and Ohio), Mexico, Germany, Spain, Romania, Türkiye, Thailand, South Africa, Argentina and China, among other countries. As a result, where a particular model is built depends on the market it is sold in.
Explore More Manufacturers
Compare Ford Motor Company with its luxury brand, a brand it once owned and its biggest rivals.
Photo credits
- Header image: UltraTech66, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Black 2024 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew PowerBoost…: Deathpallie325, CC BY 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty crew cab…: Bull-Doser, Public domain, cropped and resized.
- Orange Ford Ranger Wildtrak, current generation, parked…: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Grey 2022 Ford Maverick XL compact pickup…: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2021 Ford Bronco Outer Banks four-door in…: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- Red Ford Bronco Sport Badlands with a…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2025 Ford Explorer Active, facelifted sixth generation,…: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2025 Ford Expedition Tremor at the 2025…: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Third-generation Ford Everest Titanium seven-seat SUV: Poramin, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Ford Kuga full hybrid AWD Active, facelifted…: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, cropped and resized.
- Orange Ford Mustang Mach-E X electric SUV…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Grey Ford Explorer EV electric SUV, the…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Yellow 2024 Ford Capri electric SUV at…: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Red Ford Puma Gen-E electric crossover in…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Ford Mustang Dark Horse on display at…: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White Ford E-Transit electric van in a…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Black 1925 Ford Model T touring car…: ModelTMitch, Public domain, cropped and resized.
- 1932 Ford Model 18, the first Ford…: Tomás Del Coro from Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada,…, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Green 1948 Ford F-1 pickup, the first…: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Red 1955 Ford Thunderbird two-seat convertible: TTTNIS, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Dark 1965 Ford Mustang GT, first-generation Mustang,…: Ermell, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Red first-generation Ford Transit (Mk1) van: Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Ford GT40 Mk II number 5, the…: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 1967 Lotus 49 powered by the Ford…: Nic Redhead from Birmingham, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Sébastien Ogier driving the M-Sport Ford Fiesta…: Salexx156, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Show car of Joey Logano's number 22…: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.