Key History Henry Ford, with his passion and vision for the automobile industry in 1903 founded Ford Motor Company. Ford is based out of Dearborn, Michigan and first started off in 1899 as Detroit Automobile Company, which unfortunately quickly failed. This failure did not discourage Ford, shortly after the failure of Detroit Automobile, Ford founded the Ford Motor Company on June 16th, 1903 which was and to this day is also based in Dearborn Michigan. Henry Ford in 1908 then introduced to the world the Model T. The Model T was a success due to the affordable price, consistency, and efficient production. This allowed for Ford to sell over 15 million vehicles and make them a major part of the automobile market share.
In fact, college students ranked Ford the third greatest figure of all time, behind Napolean and Jesus Christ. "In 1892 he joined the Edison Company in Detroit as an engineer. (346) "By 1896 Ford had his automobile. (346) He created the model T and than realized he could build a car for the masses. By
Running Head: THE LIFE OF HENRY FORD The Life Henry Ford By: Shayne of Campbell Composition I Instructor: Mr. Cameron Chambers ITT Technical Institute Due: 11-21-2011 Abstract One of the greatest entrepreneurs that change history and help pave the way we live today. This man was Henry Ford. Henry Ford's invention of the automobile change the way we traveled made it necessary for highways. His life's hardships and determination makes him one of the most intriguing entrepreneurs in American history. The creation of Ford Motor Company changed the way businesses were run at that time.
Alan Mulally, the current CEO of Ford Motor Company, came into the company with a new direction. With a selling leadership style Mulally won over the willingness of Fords followers. Mulally builds confidence of followers by providing clear direction and encouraging two way communication. After looking at the product lineup Mulally said, “Where’s the Taurus?”After learning the Taurus was renamed the Five Hundred Mulally said, “Well, you’ve got until tomorrow to find a vehicle to put the Taurus name on because that’s why I’m here. Then you have two years to make the coolest vehicle that you can possibly make.” (Hellriegel & Slocum 2011 p. 544).
Ford Motor Company not only survived the financial crisis of 2008/2009, which had pushed General Motors and Chrysler into bankruptcy, but also emerged as a robustly competitive member of the world’s leading auto producers. However, Ford’s ability to sustain its strong financial performance depends critically on the state of the world’s automobile industry (Grant). Synopsis of the Case For decades, through the boom and bust years of the 20th century, the American automotive industry had an immense impact on the domestic economy. The number of new cars sold annually was a reliable indicator of the nation's economic health. (Davis) Relevant Factual Information about the Problem or Decision the Organization Faced The collapse in industry profitability in 2007–2009 and the bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler were not simply consequences of the financial crisis.
However, in this fast-paced, innovative world, no company is safe from competition. In 2007, Ford became the third-ranked automaker in U.S. sales, falling from the second-place automaker ranking for the first time in 56 years (Wikipedia). Ironically, one year later, Ford is reaching out to their consumers, employees, dealers, and retirees with their “Drive One” campaign. The “Drive One” campaign is seeking to educate their audience, change their attitude and encourage behavior. These objectives can be exhibited in the KAB Model: knowledge, attitude and behavior.
Along with his wife they delivered the strategic value of the business. They designed a family oriented business that allowed them to grow in the market and as a family. In approximately ten years they became the service shop of excellence in the Isla Verde area. In 1962 the Quiñones family was offered to be the only certified Mercedes Benz dealership in Puerto Rico. They accepted the challenge to expand and to become the best Mercedes Benz dealer and service shop in Puerto Rico.
Dodge and Ford: Analysis of light duty pickup truck market The half-ton pickup market in north America is has been dominated by the Ford f series trucks for over 20 years. In this period there has been a constriction of the consumer base, rising cost of compliantly products, significant shift in consumer demographics, and numerous new market entrants into the market place. Ford had met all of these challenges and continues to be the market leader. In this paper we will review what helped Ford secure it is position as the dominate market force compared to Dodge’s Ram product offering, the third strongest competitor by sales volume. To help understand the market we will review the history of the products and complete a pestel analysis of the North American pick up industry.
1.1. Volkswagen :A brief history First thought of by Adolf Hitler, the Volkswagen car was designed and built by Ferdinand Porsche, a Mercedes employee hired by the Reich in 1938 to materialize the idea. The firm itself was created in 1937 with the goal to provide an affordable and safe car, able to fit two adults and three children, to each German family. This first “people's car” (Volkswagen) concept -the beetle- gradually became the legendary best-seller we all know. Today, the Volkswagen Group has its head quarters in Wolfsburg Germany and is one of the world’s leading automobile brands and one of the most dominant car-makers in Europe.
Case Study Project 04/04/2011 An Analysis of Case Study 1.2 “Volkswagen struggles to get back on the road” Volkswagen (VW) – the people’s car. There is significance of meaning in this name that ties in not only with Volkswagen’s historic past, but also provides insight into problems that the company faces in our relative present. Our focus in this paper will be analysis regarding the subject of Volkswagen as presented in Case Study 1.2. This analysis will draw on the circumstances behind Volkswagen’s establishment and highlight concepts such as corporate governance and corporate mergers. We will explain how corporate governance has played a significant role in shaping Volkswagen, in terms of strength and weakness during the time this textbook was published; and to conclude, we will provide an update emphasizing how mergers have played a role in where Volkswagen is today.