How Ford took over the world

Possibly the best-known car manufacturer in the world, Ford is an iconic brand with a huge reputation for both affordability and quality. This reputation has paid off in terms of sales and Ford models regularly lead the way in the top ten most popular models charts. With such massive popularity as this, it would be a rare occurrence to come across anyone in the UK, America or Australia who could not name at least three or four models of Ford.

So how did Ford get to where it is today? How did it survive and, indeed, thrive, when so many car manufacturers struggled or fell by the wayside? It is these questions which duck2water Car Insurance Services will examine in its search to find out more about the Ford Motor Company and its dominance in the world market.

A history of Ford
1908 saw the launch of Ford's very first US factory, which introduced the idea of production cars to the world. The earliest ever car to roll off its production line was the Model T, and this marked an important milestone in car manufacture as it put into place a principle which was has been used to make millions of cars over the last 100 years.

Henry Ford was not one to do things in the traditional manner and he ran his factory in a way which had never been tried before. He ensured that the processes involved in Ford car manufacture were highly efficient, paid his workers very well and put low prices on the vehicles which they made.

By 1914, Henry Ford's uniquely-run factory had developed such status and renown that the philosophy by which it was managed became known as "Fordism". This represents the idea that by paying workers high wages, this generates enough prosperity for people to purchase the very products which they are making.

Such was Ford's success in the early years, it was not long before the company began exploring expansion into overseas markets. Although it had been supplying US models to other countries, it found that models developed specifically for Europe were much more popular than attempts to globalise American cars. The UK was one of the first places in which Ford cars were first created outside the US, and production carried on here for more than eighty years.

Ford expanded into Australia, New Zealand and Asia, although to a much lesser extent in the lattermost area until it developed a close relationship with Mazda in 1979. It also explored opportunities in South America, but it did not see the success it had experienced in the Europe and Australia mirrored in this market. Even a partnership with Volkswagen was not sufficient to make this a profitable move, and nowadays just a few select models - the Ford Fiesta, the Ford EcoSport and the Ford Focus - are made in South American countries.

However, Ford's less successful venture in South America is certainly not representative of its general popularity. At the height of its popularity in 1999, Ford was identified as the second largest car manufacturer worldwide and was named as being one of the most profitable companies in the world. Its market share has waned in recent times, but it continues to sell millions of cars each year - 6.6 million in 2006 - and is still a hugely respected name.

Car insurance for your Ford
Ford car insurance is notoriously affordable and where better to get a fantastic deal than with duck2water Car Insurance Services, a specialist insurer of Fords.

Not only can you get great rates which could shave up to 25% off your premium, but you also get the peace of mind that both you and your Ford will have the very best protection in the event of an accident.

We have worked long and hard to make it as quick and easy as possible for you to get a quote through our online system because we know there are a million things you would rather be doing than finding insurance cover.

We put the "Ford" in "affordable" - so click the button and get a cheap Ford car insurance quote now.