Our Story | Ford New Zealand

Our History

Our History

“The farther you look back, the farther you can look ahead" - Henry Ford

We've accomplished a lot in the last hundred years. Learn more about where we came from and where we're headed.

“The farther you look back, the farther you can look ahead" - Henry Ford

We've accomplished a lot in the last hundred years. Learn more about where we came from and where we're headed.

1890

Henry Ford builds the Quadricycle.

Henry Ford joins a group that founds the Detroit Automobile Company.

1900

Henry Ford builds the Quadricycle.

Henry Ford joins a group that founds the Detroit Automobile Company.

Ford Motor Company of Canada is founded.

Ford introduces the scripted typeface of its trademark.

Ford Introduces the Model T.

Ford opens its first overseas sales branch in Paris.

1910

Ford introduces the integrated moving assembly line to auto production.

Ford institutes the famous "$5 Day".

Ford begins construction of the River Rouge Complex.

Ford Motor Company produces its first ever truck.

Ford’s River Rouge Complex begins manufacturing antisubmarine patrol boats.

Edsel Ford succeeds Henry Ford as president of the company.

1920

Ford acquires the Lincoln Motor Company.

Ford begins production of Ford Tri-Motor airplanes.

Ford begins selling the 1928 Model A.

1930

Ford introduces the flathead V8 engine.

Ford Motor Company of New Zealand opens.

Ford begins selling the Lincoln Zephyr line.

1940

Ford begins producing Jeeps for the U.S. military.

Ford halts civilian auto production in the United States to produce military equipment.

Edsel Ford dies.

Henry Ford II becomes president of Ford Motor Company.

Ford pioneers mass-production of gasoline powered tractors.

Ford introduces the F-Series line of trucks.

Ford introduces the 1949 Ford.

1950

Ford introduces Fordomatic transmission.

Ford introduces the Thunderbird.

Production of the 100E Anglia and Four Door Prefect begins in New Zealand

Ford begins crash testing its vehicles.

Ford becomes a publicly traded company.

The Continental Division of the Ford Motor Company introduces the Continental Mk II.

Production of the Mark II Consul and Zephyr begins in New Zealand.

Ford introduces the Edsel.

Ford Credit is founded.

1960

The Ford Mustang goes on sale.

The Ford Mustang goes on sale.

Ford-Philco engineers unveil the Mission Control Center used to put a man on the moon.

Ford Germany and Ford U.K. collaborate to release the Transit in Europe.

When the Beatles hit #1. Ford put music in your ride.

Three Ford GT40 Mk. IIs sweep the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

New Zealand’s First Zephyrs went to the boys in blue.

Production of the Escort in New Zealand.

1970

Ford introduces three-point, self-adjusting and retracting front outboard lap and shoulder belts.

First Falcon rolled off Wiri Assembly Plant in New Zealand.

Ford of Europe introduces the Ford Fiesta.

Ford introduces the downsized Panther platform.

1980

Phillip Caldwell succeeds Henry Ford II.

Ford begins selling the fifth-generation Escort world car.

Ford revolutionizes automotive design with the Taurus.

Ford introduces the modular assembly line at its St. Louis assembly plant.

When David Lange ran the country, fought for gay rights and nuclear free – Ford NZ sponsored his race team.

1990

Ford introduces the Explorer.

Ford introduces the Mondeo as its new global sedan.

Ford produces the Ford Ranger Electric Vehicle.

2000

Ford's board of directors names Bill Ford to replace Jacques Nasser as CEO.

Ford celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Ford introduces the GT as its premium sports car.

Alan Mullaly becomes Ford's President and CEO.

250 Millionth Ford vehicle assembled

Ford begins offering SYNC in vehicles sold as 2008 models

FG Falcon becomes the first Australian built car to be awarded a 5-Star ANCAP rating

Ford begins offering its turbocharged EcoBoost line of engines

2010 - Today

Ford discontinues the Mercury line to concentrate all its efforts on the Ford and Lincoln brands.

Ford introduces the 13th generation, 2015 F-150.

The Ford Mustang celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Mark Fields succeeds Alan Mulally as Ford's president and CEO.

Ranger becomes New Zealand’s Number 1 selling vehicle

Ford Smart Mobility, LLC is Created.

Ford celebrates 50-year anniversary of 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Jim Hackett becomes Ford CEO

Ford Acquires Corktown Campus

Ford Ranger becomes New Zealand’s Number 1 selling vehicle for its fourth year.

Ford Focus driving with awards

Transit PHEV charging

Escape PHEV charging

Our Future

Our Future