DEARBORN, Mich., - This year, Ford Motor Company is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the car credited with “putting the world on wheels,” the Model T. Henry Ford’s iconic vehicle, which officially brought the world into the age of the “horseless carriage,” also is responsible for hundreds of innovations that jumpstarted the automotive industry as we know it. This list focuses on the 10 most important influences of the Model T and how the world was forever changed by them.

1. King of the assembly line - The Model T brought mobility and prosperity on an undreamed of scale through manufacturing efficiencies at a price that anyone could afford. The mass production process perfected the moving assembly line, creating and defining the industrial age and enabling Ford to steadily decrease the price of the Model T. In 1908, the first Model Ts sold for $825. By 1925, it sold for only $260.
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For those who keep up with Ford news, it is well known that the Ford Flex will take over where the Taurus X leaves off. We actually found the Taurus X to be a really competent car and very versatile. So, our expectations are high for the Ford Flex when it starts showing up at the dealerships this summer. (Editor)

DEARBORN, Mich., May 14, 2008 - When customers take their new Ford Flex for its first spin this summer, they may be surprised by what’s missing: the noise.

Flex delivers a quieter ride than competitors including the Acura MDX, Toyota Highlander and GMC Acadia, according to Ford tests. That’s good news for customers, who tend to directly relate a vehicle’s quietness with its quality, says Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development. “Quietness is a very good proxy for quality in a vehicle.” Read the rest of this entry »

Initial quality of Ford domestic vehicles (Ford, Lincoln, Mercury) is now close to the level of Toyota and Honda. Hard to believe isn’t it? Overall, Ford vehicle quality has improved 8% over the past year, according to a study conducted by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, MI. In addition, every new car and truck, including the 2008 Ford Focus, launched with improved quality versus its previous generation.

RDA’s report “2008 U.S. Global Quality Research System” study was commissioned by Ford and tends to predict how the automakers will perform in the closely watched study on new-car quality by J.D. Power and Associates.

Read the following press release by Ford to learn more details.

EMPLOYEES ARE ‘DRIVE ONE’ STARS AS FORD TOUTS ITS LEAD IN QUALITY, SAFETY, ‘GREEN’ AND SMART TECHNOLOGIES

• Ford introducing comprehensive new marketing platform called “Drive One”
• Effort showcases Ford’s leadership in quality, safety, “green” and smart technologies
• Ford employees to star in TV and web advertising, which begins Tuesday during American Idol

DEARBORN, Mich., April 7, 2008 – Ford employees will be the stars this week on American Idol, as the company introduces a new and far-reaching marketing initiative called “Drive One” to underscore to consumers its leadership in quality, safety, “green” and smart technologies.

New broadcast, print and digital media will highlight the company’s new products and major accomplishments through Ford employees’ voices and their stories.

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