Ford Motor Company (F, Financial) is one of the first American automotive companies that even today successfully manufactures and sells automobiles, trucks, buses and automotive parts. Ford is the second largest U.S. automaker and the fifth largest vehicle seller in Europe and the world, based on 2010 vehicle sales.
Ford is a producer of cars and trucks. The company also engages in other businesses, such as financing vehicles. Ford operates in two sectors: automotive and financial services. Through its sectors, Ford provides a wide range of vehicles, vehicle parts and services to a multitude of consumers and companies worldwide. It is now revolutionizing its vehicles in order to compete on the world stage.
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.
Ford trades an average of 37 million shares per day with a market cap of $68 Billion. The company posted its all-time best performance in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region in 2013. Sales in the region rose more than 7% year over year to nearly 96,000 units. Thailand drives the volume in the ASEAN region, with the Ranger, Focus and EcoSport leading Ford's sales charge. Both the Ranger and Focus nameplates posted their best-ever full-year of sales, which will help continue strong momentum in 2014.
Future Plans- Launch of New Models
Ford plans to introduce 25 new models in Africa and the Middle East by 2016. The automaker expects a surge in sales, powered by a 31% increase in the number of people driving cars, totaling 1.7 million, by 2023. The regions accounted for 5.9% of Ford’s last-quarter communication systems, touch screen connectivity, and fuel-efficient turbo charged engines’ worldwide pretax profit. The markets also provide a diverse customer base.
Ford made the announcement during a special “Go Further” event in Johannesburg, South Africa, attended by 1,000 employees, Ford dealers, suppliers, government officials, and media. The Ford Fusion sedan will go on sale in the Middle East this year and in Africa next year, while the facelifted Focus and the new Mustang will go on sale in both regions in 2015. Ford will also introduce a production version of the Figo Concept in Africa. The company estimates that Africa, alone, may see the number of drivers grow to 840 million people -55% –by 2023.
Ford expects the total Middle East and Africa car market to grow 40 percent by the end of the decade to 5.5 million vehicles. The second-largest automaker in the U.S. intends is trying to capitalize on the rising numbers of young, affluent consumers in the Middle East and African markets. Moreover, Ford will introduce several new technologies in the region, including its EcoBoost engines, SYNC in-car connectivity, inflatable rear seat belts, active park assist, active city stop, adaptive cruise control, blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert, rear view camera, lane-keeping system and various other driver assist technologies.
To End
Ford has been redesigning its vehicles to deliver more value and better fuel economy, and it has consolidated its vehicle platforms. It’s all paying off. Ford’s Fusion could top 300,000 in sales this year and is threatening the Camry’s dominance. And Ford has sold more than 645,000 F-series trucks so far this year.
The company posted its all-time best performance in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region in 2013. Sales in the region rose more than 7% year over year to nearly 96,000 units. Thailand drives the volume in the ASEAN region, with the Ranger, Focus and EcoSport leading Ford's sales charge. Both the Ranger and Focus nameplates posted their best-ever full-year of sales, which will help continue strong momentum in 2014.
Ford is quickly becoming a top green automaker. It's making great strides and could potentially be the first automaker to deliver a mass-market car that's a completely energy self-sufficient vehicle. Ford's F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in the country, and its new initiatives designed to generate greater fuel efficiency will only improve its standing in the near future. Ford simply dominates the pickup truck market, and its international operations are back on track. It will surely reap good returns to its valued shareholders.
Ford owners are among the most loyal of all car owners, according to Consumer Reports data. Some 56% of Ford owners are likely to buy another one. Ford has certainly been performing well as a company over the past few years — making good vehicles, being consistently profitable, recently reinstating its dividend, and doing a remarkable job paying down its debt.
