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Ford Division Celebrates 50 Years

10 February 1999

Ford Division Celebrates 50 Years

    DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 10 -- February 15 will mark the 50th
anniversary of Ford Division, the top selling automotive brand in the United
States.  The division was created by Henry Ford II as a "further important
step in the company's decentralization plan."  Lewis D. Crusoe was named vice
president and general manager of the new operating division.
    In the 50 years since it has launched and sold some of the most famous
products in U.S. business history, including Mustang, Thunderbird, F-Series
truck, Taurus, Falcon, Explorer and Expedition sport utility vehicles, and
Escort.  In its history, the division has sold 72 million cars and 45 million
trucks, for a total 117 million vehicles.
    "With the industry's best-known and hottest selling nameplates today,
including four of the top 10-selling vehicles in America, look for more sales
records from this division in the future," said Ford Division President and
Ford Motor Company Vice President Jim O'Connor.  "We know we carry a
great heritage and legacy, and we'll continue to offer customers innovative
and exciting products in the future."
    The division set an all-time record in 1998, selling 3.3 million cars and
trucks and outselling its nearest competitor by nearly 900,000 cars and
trucks.  That marked the fifth year in a row vehicle sales topped the 3
million mark.  Ford Division has been the top car sales division for the past
seven years, and the top selling truck brand for the past 13 years.  Ranger,
Taurus, F-Series and Explorer all rank in the top 10-best selling vehicles in
America.  Ford Division ranks first in customer loyalty, according to data
provided by the independent R.L. Polk Company.  The division is attracting new
customers as well, and is No. 1 in sales to women, African Americans and the
growing Hispanic market.
    It all started in 1949 with Ford and the U.S. economy rebounding from
World War II.  The new 1949 Ford car was a sensation, with 1.3 million orders
on hand before the car went on sale at dealerships.  The division was off and
running, selling more than a million units in 1949, topping 2 million in sales
for the first time in 1964 and hitting the 3 million mark in 1994.