With so many makes and models available at dealerships these days, it can be difficult to choose a single company to trust. Buying a vehicle is a considerable investment, so you have to be discerning with what you want and where to buy it from. Many drivers recommend playing it safe by sticking to well-known automakers like Ford.
According to Manufacturing, Ford remained the leading car brand (based on sales) in 2020. The automaker has done such a great job of marketing its vehicles that when you think of an all-American truck, you’re likely envisioning an F-150. But with over a hundred years of history under its belt, is the Ford Motor Company still American owned and are its vehicles still made in the US?
Is Ford American Made?
Yes, Ford remains an American-made car brand. This multinational automaker was founded by Henry Ford in 1903. It set up its headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan and expanded internationally by 1904.
Ford has since grown into a huge multinational auto corporation with numerous manufacturing plants abroad as well as joint ventures outside of the US. Although it remains an American car brand, many parts are not exclusively manufactured in the country.
The automaker also produces and markets vehicles overseas. Some plants manufacture Ford parts in countries like Mexico, Canada, and China. According to Brandirectory’s Automotive Industry 2020 world rankings, Ford ranks 7th as the most popular auto brand, with an estimate of $18.5M sales. This is not surprising, considering Ford is also well-known outside of the US.
Where Are Ford Cars Made?
A majority of Ford cars and parts are made overseas. While Ford has plenty of plant locations, many of them are shared with its other brands, Lincoln and Mercury. Shared platforms make it easier to assemble multiple components for different brands at the same plant.
Ford has 65 plants worldwide, eight of which are in the US. China is one of its most prominent manufacturers, housing six huge Ford manufacturing plants. Ford has joint ventures in China (Changan Ford), Taiwan (Ford Lio Ho), Thailand (AutoAlliance Thailand), Turkey (Ford Otosan), and Russia (Ford Sollers).
Nearly all Ford vehicles sold in North America are manufactured in the United States with the help of a few plants in Mexico and Canada. Huge Ford vehicles like trucks and models with large engines are manufactured mainly in the country. The same goes for the brand’s police interceptors and its luxury line (Lincoln).
Who Owns Ford?
Currently, the Ford Family (2% equity), The Vanguard Group, and Evercore Wealth Management own Ford. While the Ford Family owns very little of the Ford Motor Company in terms of shares today, they still hold the most voting power with 40% across the board.
Ford has multiple shareholders — the biggest of which are corporate officers. The five largest individual shareholders as of this writing are Jim Farley, Bill Ford, Doug Field, John Lawler, and Peter Stern.
Jim Farley
As the president, CEO, and director of Ford, Jim Farley — also known as James Farley Jr. — has the largest stock in the company.
Before becoming the CEO, Farley was Ford’s chief operating officer and also served as the company’s president for New Businesses, Technology and Strategy, and Global Markets. His position is worth an estimated $57 million, and he has a stock worth 4.6 million common stock shares.
Bill Ford
Bill Ford — also known as William Clay Ford Jr. — is another major individual shareholder with a stock position worth approximately $36 million and roughly 2.9 million common stock shares.
Ford started his career at the company in 1979 as a product analyst. After working his way up, he became the company’s executive chair in 1999 and has kept that position ever since.
Doug Field
With shares worth roughly $18 million and common stock shares totaling approximately 1.4 million, Doug Field is one of the biggest individual shareholders in Ford.
Field is the current chief EV and digital and design officer. He’s responsible for developing new technology and software for Ford vehicles.
John Lawler
Another major individual shareholder is John Lawler, Ford’s vice chair and chief financial officer. He holds an estimated 942,741 Ford common shares, which are worth approximately $11 million altogether.
Peter Stern
As the president of Ford Integrated Services, Peter Stern holds a lot of shares. He has an estimated 572,666 shares of Ford common stock, giving him a position worth approximately $7 million.
Here are five of Ford’s biggest institutional shareholders as of this writing.
- Vanguard Group. 339 million shares worth $4.2 billion.
- State Street Corporation. 329 million shares worth $4 billion.
- BlackRock. 282 million shares worth $3.5 billion.
- Newport Trust Company. 154 million shares worth $1.9 billion.
- Charles Schwab Investment Management. 116 million shares worth $1.4 billion.
Are Ford Vehicles Still a Good Buy?
More than just an iconic American brand, Ford is a trusted auto manufacturer with decades of experience in producing high-quality trucks, cars, buses, and automotive components. Its popularity worldwide is a testament to its durability and reliability in manufacturing vehicles that last.
Ford has been a leader in cutting-edge automotive developments for the past hundred years. When you invest in Ford, you know you’ll get a vehicle that will deliver outstanding mileage and performance while providing the best ride experience. Ford’s lineup is vast and diverse, containing eco-friendly sedans and rugged pickup trucks, so you won’t run out of options to choose from.
Buying a Ford vehicle is also great for the US job market, primarily because the brand provides jobs to thousands of employees. Lastly, it’s easier to get replacement or performance parts for domestic brands because you can source them locally.
The Future of Ford
Although Ford isn’t solely owned by the Ford Family anymore, its future isn’t bleak. It has seen continued success, even withstanding great economic recessions in the past without faltering. The Ford Family still has a majority of voting rights within the company, so it can be presumed that they have significant influence over all major decisions concerning the company.
The automotive industry is constantly changing, with trends popping left and right to improve car capabilities, driving experience, and more. Manufacturers like Ford will make sure that a certain level of American innovation stays despite all the rapid change.
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Ford seems to base their factories where they sell the cars, which is good. Less globalization is better for the planet and ecosystems.