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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.

1896

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

1899

1900

Henry Ford builds the Quadricycle.

1901

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

1903

Ford Motor Company of Canada is founded.

1904

Ford introduces the scripted typeface of its trademark.

1907

Ford Introduces the Model T.

1908

Ford opens its first overseas sales branch in Paris.

1908

1910

Ford introduces the integrated moving assembly line to auto production.

1913

Ford institutes the famous "$5 Day".

1914

Ford begins construction of the River Rouge Complex.

1917

Ford Motor Company produces its first ever truck.

1917

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

1918

Edsel Ford succeeds Henry Ford as president of the company.

1919

1920

Ford acquires the Lincoln Motor Company.

1922

Ford begins production of Ford Tri-Motor airplanes.

1925

Ford begins selling the 1928 Model A.

1927

1930

Ford introduces the flathead V8 engine.

1932

Ford Motor Company of New Zealand opens.

1936

Ford begins selling the Lincoln Zephyr line.

1936

1938

1940

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

1941

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

1942

Edsel Ford dies.

1943

Henry Ford II becomes president of Ford Motor Company.

1945

Ford pioneers mass-production of gasoline powered tractors.

1946

Ford introduces the F-Series line of trucks.

1948

Ford introduces the 1949 Ford.

1948

1950

Ford introduces Fordomatic transmission.

1951

Ford introduces the Thunderbird.

1954

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

1954

Ford begins crash testing its vehicles.

1954

Ford becomes a publicly traded company.

1956

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

1956

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

1956

Ford introduces the Edsel.

1957

Ford Credit is founded.

1959

1960

The Ford Mustang goes on sale.

1962

The Ford Mustang goes on sale.

1964

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

1965

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

1965

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

1965

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

1966

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

1966

Production of the Escort in New Zealand.

1968

1970

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

1970

First Falcon rolled off Wiri Assembly Plant in New Zealand.

1973

Ford of Europe introduces the Ford Fiesta.

1976

Ford introduces the downsized Panther platform.

1978

1980

Phillip Caldwell succeeds Henry Ford II.

1980

Ford begins selling the fifth-generation Escort world car.

1981

Ford revolutionizes automotive design with the Taurus.

1985

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

1986

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

1987

1990

Ford introduces the Explorer.

1990

Ford introduces the Mondeo as its new global sedan.

1993

Ford produces the Ford Ranger Electric Vehicle.

1996

2000

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

2001

Ford celebrates its 100th anniversary.

2003

Ford introduces the GT as its premium sports car.

2004

Alan Mullaly becomes Ford's President and CEO.

2004

250 Millionth Ford vehicle assembled

2006

Ford begins offering SYNC in vehicles sold as 2008 models

2007

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

2008

Ford begins offering its turbocharged EcoBoost line of engines

2009

2010 - Today

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

2011

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

2014

The Ford Mustang celebrates its 50th anniversary.

2014

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

2014

Ranger becomes New Zealand’s Number 1 selling vehicle

2015

Ford Smart Mobility, LLC is Created.

2016

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

2016

Jim Hackett becomes Ford CEO

2017

Ford Acquires Corktown Campus

2018

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

2018

Ford Focus driving with awards

2019

2020

Transit PHEV charging

2020

Escape PHEV charging

2021

Our Future

Our Future

Noise-Cancelling Kennel

Noise-Cancelling Kennel

Noise-Cancelling Kennel

‘Self-Braking Trolley’

‘Self-Braking Trolley’

Lane-Keeping Bed

Lane-Keeping Bed

Rivian Partnership

Rivian Partnership

Rivian Partnership