Year

Date

Event/Milestone

1863

July 30

"Henry Ford born on a Springwells Township farm, near Dearborn, Michigan."

1896

June 4

"Henry Ford completes his first car, the Quadricycle, in a shed behind his home at 58 Bagley Ave., Detroit, and takes it for a drive in the middle of the night."

1903

June 16

Henry Ford and 11 investors sign the Articles of incorporation for his car company. The cars would be built in a converted wagon factory on Mack Avenue in Detroit.

1903

July 20

"Ford Motor Company sells its first car, a Model A, to a Detroit physician."

1904

Aug. 17

Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd., receives its Provincial Charter to do business in Walkerville, Ontario, near Windsor, building the Model B.

1908

Oct. 1

Ford introduces the Model T (destined to be one of the world's most popular cars).

1911

Oct. 1

"Ford opens assembly plant in Manchester, England, its first outside North America."

1913

Oct. 7

World's first moving automobile assembly line begins operation at Ford's Highland Park (Michigan) Plant.

1914

Jan. 5

$5 pay for eight-hour day announced at Model T Plant in Highland Park (replacing $2.34 for nine hours); attracts thousands of job applicants.

1915

Dec. 10

One-millionth Ford car built.

1916

June 1

Ford establishes Automobiles Ford (France) and announces plans to build an assembly plant in Bordeaux.

1917

July 27

"Ford introduces its first truck, the Model TT."

1917

Oct. 8

"Fordson, world's first mass-produced tractor, begins production in Dearborn."

1918

Jan. 4

Construction of massive Rouge automotive manufacturing complex begins.

1922

Feb. 4

Ford buys Lincoln Motor Company for $8 million.

1923

Jan. 27

"Ford Italiana Spa established, with an assembly plant in Trieste."

1924

June 4

Ten-millionth Ford car built.

1924

Aug. 5

First public tours of Rouge facilities.

1926

.

"Parts depot and assembly operation set up in Berlin. Eight days later, the first Model T assembled in Germany comes off the lines."

1927

May 26

"Henry and Edsel Ford drive 15-millionth Model T off assembly line at Highland Park, officially ending Model T production. Production in England ends on Aug. 19; in Ireland on Dec. 31. Total world production of Model T: 15,458,781."

1927

Oct. 27

Production of new Model A begins at Rouge Assembly Plant.

1927

Dec. 2

New Model A introduced in North America.

1930

Oct. 2

Henry Ford lays the foundation stone for the Cologne plant on a 68-acre site in the Niehl district.

1931

April 14

Ford builds its 20-millionth car.

1931

April 15

Ford closes Berlin plant.

1931

Oct. 1

"Production begins at Ford's Dagenham, England, plant, Europe's largest factory."

1932

Feb. 19

"Ford launches its first car designed specifically for Europe, the Model Y, starting in England."

1932

Mar. 9

Ford builds its first V-8 vehicle.

1937

Jan. 18

Ford builds its 25-millionth car.

1938

.

A car is built at Cologne every three minutes. The plant operates at full capacity.

1939

Oct. 3

Lincoln Continental introduced.

1941

Mar. 1

"Ford builds first general purpose (G.P., or 'jeep') vehicle for U.S. military at Rouge Plant."

1941

June 20

UAW-CIO & Ford agree to first closed-shop contract.

1945

June 28

"Last B-24 Liberator bomber built at Willow Run Plant. (Ford built 8,600 bombers, 278,000 jeeps and 57,000 aircraft engines.)"

1945

July 3

Ford resumes production of civilian vehicles.

1945

Oct. 22

"Lincoln-Mercury Division is established. With the war over, Mercury is slowly resuming production with 1942 models. By year's end, Mercury production total is 2,848 vehicles."

1948

April 26

"Production begins on 1949-model Ford, first new postwar design."

1949

.

A special version of the Taunus and a so-called rapid truck are launched.

1950

Aug.

"One-millionth Mercury, one of 293,658 automobiles manufactured by the division this year, rolls off the line."

1954

Oct. 22

Ford introduces Thunderbird.

1955

April 15

Separate Lincoln and Mercury divisions established; Special Products Operations becomes a division.

1955

Oct. 4

Continental Mark II introduced.

1956

.

"Ford buys a planned plant site in Wulfrath, Germany."

1957

Aug. 31

Lincoln and Mercury divisions recombined.

1957

Sept. 4

"Public introduction of Edsel, new medium-priced car."

1958

Jan.

"Mercury, Lincoln and Edsel divisions are joined to form M-E-L (Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln) Division."

1959

April 29

Fifty-millionth vehicle built.

1959

Nov. 19

Ford announces it will discontinue Edsel car line. Lincoln-Mercury Division is re-formed.

1960

Mar. 17

"Ford introduces Mercury Comet, first upscale compact car."

1960

Sept. 29

"Ford Econoline series, including van, pickup and station wagon bus, introduced."

1961

Oct. 3

UAW calls first company-wide strike against Ford (ends Oct. 20 with a three-year contract).

1961

Oct. 12

Ford Fairlane introduced.

1962

July 2

Thirty-millionth V-8 engine produced.

1964

.

A new body plant for the Taunus 20M becomes operational in Cologne.

1964

April 17

Ford Mustang introduced.

1966

Mar. 2

One-millionth Mustang built in less than two years from start of production.

1966

Sept. 30

"Mercury Cougar introduced as 'America's first luxury/sports car at a popular price.' Motor Trend names Cougar the 1967 Car of the Year."

1967

June 14

Ford of Europe established to coordinate development manufacture and sale of cars and trucks in Europe and Africa.

1967

May 3

Seventy-millionth U.S.-built vehicle produced.

1967

Sept. 6

UAW launches company-wide strike (ends Oct. 22).

1968

Mar. 25

One-millionth Lincoln Continental built.

1968

April 5

Continental Mark III introduced.

1969

April 17

Ford Maverick introduced. Lincoln-Mercury introduces the European-built Capri at New York Auto Show.

1970

.

The five millionth transmission is produced at the cologne plant.

1970

.

Henry Ford II opens the Saarlouis plant where Escort production begins.

1970

Sept. 11

Ford Pinto introduced.

1972

May 24

Ford Fiera introduced (produced in Philippines for Asia-Pacific Markets).

1972

Dec. 19

Ford Lio Ho Motor Company established to assemble automobiles and manufacture engines in Taiwan.

1973

.

The six millionth engine is produced in Cologne.

1973

.

The one millionth Capri built in Saarlouis.

1973

Sept. 21

Ford Mustang II introduced.

1974

Aug. 5

Ford Guest Center opens on the 50th anniversary of Rouge plant tours.

1976

.

"A new industry standard, the retractable safety belt restraint system is placed in the Mercury Bobcat. A snarling cougar head is introduced as the new Cougar emblem."

1976

Sept. 3

New Ford Fiesta introduced in Europe; starting in Germany.

1976

.

Ford produces its one millionth Transit in Germany.

1976

Oct. 25

"Henry Ford II dedicates new manufacturing complex at Valencia, Spain; King Juan Carlos in attendance."

1977

Oct. 8

Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr introduced.

1977

Oct. 15

CL-9000 line-haul diesel truck goes on sale.

1978

Dec. 14

One-hundred-fifty-millionth vehicle built.

1980

July 24

Company dedicates Batavia (Ohio) Transmission Plant.

1980

Aug. 11

"Ford's 'World Cars' -- 1981 Ford Escort and Mercury Lynx -- launched."

1980

Sept. 3

New European Escort introduced.

1981

.

The two millionth Fiesta comes off the Cologne assembly lines.

1981

June 15

"Essex Engine Plant in Windsor (Ontario, Canada) dedicated."

1981

Dec. 10

Rouge Steel Company subsidiary formed.

1982

Mar. 12

Ford Ranger introduced.

1982

.

Ford introduces the Escort convertible in Germany.

1983

Mar. 10

Bronco II introduced.

1983

May 26

Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz introduced.

1983

July 22

Ford Orion introduced in Europe.

1983

Oct. 14

"Ford acquires 30 percent equity interest in its dealer- assembler in Otosan, Turkey."

1983

Dec. 17

Continental Mark VII introduced.

1984

Feb. 1

Three-millionth Fiesta built at Ford Spain's Valencia Plant.

1984

April 26

"New version of Ford Transit Van, with industry's first direct- injection, high-speed diesel engine, introduced in Europe"

1984

May 17

Rouge Steel Company breaks ground for $145-million Continuous-Slab-Casting Plant at Rouge complex in Dearborn.

1984

July 31

"Ford dedicates $12-million advanced electronics plant in Markham, Ontario."

1984

Nov. 8

Company reduces equity in Ford Malaysia from 51 percent to 30 percent.

1984

Nov. 14

Ford Lio Ho Motor Company (Taiwan) announces $35-million expansion to increase production.

1985

.

Production of the Scorpio starts in Cologne.

1985

Mar. 20

Scorpio launched in Europe.

1985

May 22

"Merger of Ford and Amcar operation in South Africa completed; new company, South African Motor Corp. (SAMCOR) begins operations."

1985

July 17

First Aerostar built at St. Louis (Missouri) Assembly Plant.

1985

Dec. 26

Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable introduced in dealer showrooms across North America.

1986

Jan. 9

New Transit medium van/truck range launched in Europe.

1986

July 10

Ford acquires 10 percent interest in Kia Motor Company of South Korea.

1987

July 1

Autolatina joint venture between Ford (49 percent) and Volkswagen (51 percent) established in Brazil and Argentina; includes automotive and credit operations.

1987

Sept. 7

"Ford becomes majority shareholder (75 percent) of Aston Martin Lagonda, Ltd."

1987

Dec. 26

Front-wheel-drive Lincoln Continental introduced.

1988

May 3

Newly expanded UAW-Ford National Education Development and Training Center dedicated.

1988

May 12

Ford Probe introduced.

1988

May 23

Three-millionth North American Ford Escort built at Wayne(Michigan) Assembly Plant.

1988

Sept. 12

"Ford and Nissan announce joint program to design, engineer and produce minivans for North America."

1989

.

The twenty millionth German-produced Ford comes off the lines.

1989

Dec. 15

Ford sells Rouge Steel Company (but retains 20 percent interest that it sells to Rouge Steel in 1992).

1989

December

Ford acquires Jaguar Cars for $2.5 billion.

1990

Mar. 15

"Introduction of Ford Explorer sport/utility vehicle, designated a '91 model."

1991

.

Cologne opens a pilot plant for vehicle recycling.

1991

July 15

"Ford and Volkswagen form AutoEuropa, joint venture to produce new multipurpose vehicles at Setubal, Portugal."

1992

Feb. 4

Ford F-Series named best-selling U.S. vehicle for 10th consecutive year.

1992

Mar. 5

1992 Ford Taurus is first car produced in the U.S. with CFC- free air conditioning.

1992

April 14

First Mercury Villager minivan built at Ohio Assembly Plant.

1992

May 28

"New plant in Alba, Hungary, dedicated; plant will produce ignition coils, fuel pumps and starter motors."

1992

July 1

Ford acquires 50 percent of Mazda Motor Manufacturing and renames the company AutoAlliance International.

1992

Dec. 26

New Lincoln Mark VIII introduced.

1993

Jan. 6

Ford Taurus named best-selling U.S. car for 1992.

1993

Feb. 4

Ford announces plans to develop a natural-gas passenger car.

1993

Feb. 4

F-series best-selling vehicle and truck; Taurus best-selling car; Ford products are five of top eight on list of best-selling U.S. vehicles.

1993

April 8

Ford starts building Flexible-Fuel Vehicle (FFV) Taurus at Chicago Assembly Plant.

1993

April 30

Production of new CD4E automatic transaxle starts at Batavia (Ohio) Transmission Plant.

1993

June 1

Ford is first automaker to have dual air bags as standard equipment in most cars.

1993

July 29

Ford's one-millionth vehicle fitted with dual air bags rolls off the Atlanta (Georgia) Assembly Plant line.

1993

Aug. 27

Seventy-fifth anniversary of Dearborn Assembly Plant (originally the Rouge Plant).

1993

Aug. 27

One-millionth Ford Explorer produced at Louisville (Kentucky) Assembly Plant.

1994

Jan. 10

Ford Falcon is top selling vehicle in Australia.

1994

Jan. 27

First Windstar production begins at Oakville (Ontario) Assembly Plant.

1994

Feb. 8

"Sale of Mercury Capri, made by Ford of Australia, discontinued in North America."

1994

Feb. 28

Ford China Operations is formed.

1994

Mar. 24

Ford Windstar is introduced.

1994

April 5

Production of Duratec 2.5-liter V-6 engine begins at Cleveland Engine Plant No. 2.

1994

May 9

U.S.-built Ford Taurus goes on sale in Brazil.

1994

May 12

First U.S.-built Thunderbirds and Cougars earmarked for sale in Mexico come off the line.

1994

May 20

Last Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz models are built at Kansas City (Missouri) Assembly Plant.

1994

June 9

Ford Japan introduces European-built Ford Mondeo.

1994

June 10

Ford Japan introduces U.S.-built Ford Probe GT and Japanese-built Ford Laser.

1994

Aug. 15

Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique production starts at Cuautitlan (Mexico) Assembly Plant.

1994

Aug. 24

Ford and Mazda agree to truck manufacturing joint venture in Thailand.

1994

Sept. 29

"Contour and Mystique, North American versions of Ford's new global cars, arrive in dealer showrooms."

1994

Oct. 14

Ford and Mahindra & Mahindra Limited (India) establish joint venture to assemble vehicles in India.

1995

Feb. 23

Ford and Song Cong Diesel agree to build a vehicle assembly plant east of Hanoi in Vietnam.

1995

Feb. 23

Ford establishes joint flexible-fuel vehicle development program with China.

1995

Mar. 29

Production of modular engines starts at new Windsor (Ontario) Engine Plant.

1995

April 19

Dagenham (England) Engine Plant builds its 28-millionth unit.

1995

April 26

AutoEuropa (Ford-Volkswagen joint venture) starts building Ford Galaxie and VW Sharan at new Palmela (Portugal) plant.

1995

May 5

New plant in Valencia (Spain) starts producing Zetec-SE4-cylinder engines.

1995

Sept. 29

Ford plant in Plonsk (Poland) opens; to build Escort cars and Transit trucks.

1995

Oct. 4

Ford and Song Cong Diesel have groundbreaking ceremony for new joint venture assembly plant.

1995

Nov. 30

Ford and Mazda establish AutoAlliance (Thailand) to build pickup trucks for Asia.

1995

Dec. 18

"Aeromax, Ford's first all-new, heavy-duty truck in 25 years, built at Kentucky Truck Plant."

1995

Dec. 19

"Ford launches new, advanced computer technology system for global vehicle development."

1996

April 18

New Ford plant near Sao Paulo starts making components for Fiestas to be built in Brazil.

1996

May 23

"Belarus government, Ford and Ford's dealer in Belarus agree to form joint venture manufacturing company near Minsk to assemble Escorts and Transits."

1996

Aug. 26

First Ford Escort produced in Nashik (India) rolls off the line in Ford/Mahindra & Mahindra joint venture.

1996

Oct. 8

Two-hundred-fifty-millionth Ford vehicle built.

1997

Feb. 19

Ford launches 1997 Escort and Mercury Tracer in Middle East.

1997

Mar. 4

Ford automotive plants first to achieve world environmental standard ISO 14001.

1997

Mar. 6

First Ford Taurus goes on sale in Russia.

1997

April 19

Ford introduces Ka in Hong Kong.

1997

July 1

Lincoln Navigator is introduced in U.S.

1997

Aug. 1

Ford Puma is introduced in U.K.

1997

Sept. 9

"Ford creates Visteon Automotive Systems for the design, development, and delivery of fully integrated systems, replacing Ford Automotive Products Operations."

1998

Jan. 26

Lincoln Mercury announces plans to discontinue production of the Lincoln Mark VIII luxury coupe in June 1998.

1998

Mar. 4

"Ford employees earn record profit sharing averaging $4,400."

1998

April 8

Ford announces intent to introduce side-impact air bags throughout North American car lineup.

1998

April 27

Ford dismantles Ford of Canada's former Windsor Engine Plant #1in recycling effort.

1998

May 12

Kentucky Truck to open metal stamping plant for 1999 production.

1998

May 14

Ford Ka introduced in Moscow.

1998

Sept. 15

Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable earn Government's top safety rating: Five Stars

1998

Oct. 13

Ford Motor Company and ZF Friedrichshafen AG announce their intention to form a joint venture to produce automatic transmissions at Ford’s Batavia (Ohio) Transmission Plant.

1998

Oct. 20

Jaguar's new S-TYPE sports saloon makes its world debut today at the Birmingham International Motor Show.

1998

Nov. 17

"The new Ford Focus wins the prestigious ‘European Car of the Year’ award, which is widely recognized as the most significant accolade in the European motor industry"

1998

Nov. 30

The 1999 Ford Windstar minivan earns the highest scores possible in government frontal crash test ratings.

1998

Dec. 8

Ford Motor Company becomes the first and only automotive company to certify its plants around the world under ISO 14001 – 140 plants in 26 countries.

1999

Jan.

"Ford announces its intention to acquire 51% interest in Norway's PIVCO Industries, maker of the TH!NK two-seat electric city car."

1999

Feb. 1

An explosion occurs at the Rouge Complex in Dearborn completely halting production at the powerhouse; initially killing one employee and injuring 30 [additionally five of the injured subsequently die in the days that follow].

1999

Mar. 1

Ford enters into a definitive agreement with AB Volvo for the purchase of Volvo's worldwide passenger car business for a price of $6.45 billion.

1999

Mar. 1

Visteon achieves world first with new Jaguar S-type—the Listening Car.

1999

Mar. 2

"Ford opens the first franchised Ford sales and service facility in Kazakhstan, Turkey operated by RAM Auto Almaty Ltd. - 1 100 percent owned subsidiary of the Koc Group."

1999

Mar. 3

"Ford pays record profit sharing averaging $6,100."

1999

Mar. 8

Volvo shareholders approve purchase transaction of passenger car business to Ford.

1999

Mar. 9

"A further chapter in the story of a true 'American classic' unfolds at the 1999 Geneva International Motor Show, with the European debut of the new Ford Thunderbird Concept car."

1999

Mar. 9

"Ford demonstrates its global commitment to environmental leadership and responsibility with the launch of the new Ford Focus, Ford Mondeo AFV, and TH!NK [zero-emission electric city car scheduled to go on sale in Scandinavia later this year] models at the Geneva Auto Show. "

1999

Mar. 17

"Ford of Canada announces intent to franchise all existing dealerships under one brand, Ford, in the 2000 model year."

1999

Mar. 17

Thirteen Salt Lake City Ford dealers launch the Utah Auto Collection – a new concept in automotive retailing.

1999

Mar. 19

"Ford establishes the Premier Auto Group consisting of Aston Martin, Jaguar and Lincoln [Volvo will later be included in this group]."

1999

Mar. 31

Ford completes the purchase of Volvo Car and incorporates Volvo it as part of the Premier Auto Group.

1999

Mar. 31

Ford Credit becomes the first direct issuer to sell commercial paper on the Worldwide Web.

1999

Apr. 26

"Ford completes its first purchase of a vehicle disassembly company (Copher Brothers Auto Parts in Tampa, Florida) as part of a bigger plan to create a global network of state-of-the art vehicle recycling companies."

1999

May 5

Ford's Windsor Casting Plant (Canada) earns a national award for the use of innovative technology in pollution prevention.

1999

May 17

"Ford announces that all pickup trucks will be Low Emission Vehicles, starting with F-Series trucks in model year 2000 and adding Ranger for 2001 model year, with the large majority preceding any U.S. emissions requirements by years."

1999

June 11

Ford Motor Company reaches agreement to buy Automobile Protection Corporation [APCO] for approximately $180 million.

1999

June 15

"Ford opens a $35 million European advanced research centre in Aachen, Germany. Ford announces its position as the largest producer of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) in the world with the 1999 launch of three bi-fuel production vehicles in Europe: The liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) versions of the Ford Transit; an LPG Mondeo, and LPG and CNG versions of the European Focus [selected European markets] later this year. "

1999

June 15

Ford Motor Company and CD Radio announce an alliance to bring digital satellite radio to Ford customers.

1999

Aug. 29

"Team Ford Racing, a Ford racing fan club is officially launched in Silverstone, G.B."

1999

Aug. 26

"Ford announces it will be closing its cold weather testing facility in Bemidji, Minnesota due to inconsistent climatic conditions."

1999

Sept. 16

"Ford opens £700,000 innovative training center at Ford Transit Plant in Southampton. "

1999

Sept. 16

"Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited receives 1999 Ontario Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Award, for outstanding leadership in environmental initiatives."

1999

Sept. 17

Ford introduces the new Ford Lynx in Manila.

1999

Sept. 17

"Ford announces it will deliver the first 'no compromise' family-oriented hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) to the Department of Energy early next month."

1999

Sept. 17

"Ford Motor Company Philippines celebrates the inauguration of its four-billion peso Manila, Philippines, plant, situated in a 21-hectare property inside the Greenfield Automotive Park in Santa Rosa, Laguna."

1999

Sept. 24

Ford Motor Company is recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce for exemplary performance in promoting minority business growth in the nation.

1999

Sept. 30

"Ford Focus sales reach 500,000, less than 12 months after introduction."

1999

Oct. 4

Ford announces that they are requiring ISO 14001 certification from all of its suppliers with manufacturing facilities.

1999

Oct. 20

"Ford announces it will work with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop lightweight, fuel-efficient technologies for potential use in tactical trucks for tomorrow's army. Representatives from the Department of Defense and Ford signed the two-year $11.2 million non-procurement contract today at the U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) National Automotive Center."

1999

Oct. 20

The 1999 Ford Focus is introduced in Japan at the 33rd Tokyo Motor Show.

1999

Oct. 25

"Jaguar Cars announces that it has surpassed its long-standing, single-year sales record in the United States."

1999

Nov.

"Norway's first mass-produced vehicle, the TH!NK city starts rolling off the assembly line in Oslo."

1999

Nov. 3

"500,000 Ford Focus cars sold in Europe in less than 12 months."

1999

Nov. 9

"Ford today announces plans to cease production at its assembly plant at Plonsk, Poland, as part of an ongoing restructuring of Ford's European manufacturing operations. The closure is to be completed by the middle of the year 2000."

1999

Nov. 12

"Norway's first mass-produced vehicle, TH!NK City, begins rolling off the assembly line in Aurskog, Norway."

1999

Nov. 22

"As the first multinational company to design a car specifically for India, Ford Motor Company is launching the brand new Ford IKON. The first vehicle rolled off the assembly line at Ford’s new state-of-the-art plant in Maraimalai Nagar, India."

1999

Nov. 24

Lincoln LS is named Motor Trend Car of the Year.

1999

Dec. 19

The Model T is named Car of the Century at an internationally attended gala in Las Vegas.

2000

Jan. 6

"Jaguar sets an all-time sales record with 75,312 cars sold in 1999."

2000

Jan. 10

Ford Focus is the first vehicle ever to receive both the North American Car of the Year and the European Car of the Year awards.

2000

Jan. 10

"TH!NK, an enterprise of Ford Motor Company, today unveiled a family size sedan powered by the latest generation methanol reformer fuel cell electric powertrain."

2000

Jan. 10

TH!NK announces the introduction of the TH!NK bicycle early this summer.

2000

Jan. 11

"Ford acquires 100% of TH!NK Nordic, Inc. [formerly PIVCO]."

2000

Jan. 27

"Ford announces a record Profit Sharing average of $8,000 for 1999."

2000

Feb. 3

"Ford announces that eligible employees worldwide will be provided a computer, printer and Internet usage at home for a nominal fee."

2000

Feb. 4

The Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable continue to earn the federal government's highest possible rating for frontal crash performance.

2000

Mar. 3

Ford Motor Company employees receive record profit sharing checks

2000

Mar. 17

Ford Motor Company announces that it has reached a memorandum of understanding to buy Land Rover from the BMW Group.

2000

Apr. 14

Ford Motor Co. Board of Directors approves major shareholder value actions:

• A Value Enhancement plan that offers Ford shareholders new Ford shares
• Independence plan for Visteon Corporation

2000

May 8

Ford introduces the propane-powered, bi-fuel Super Duty F-Series chassis cab for the 2000 model year.

2000

May 23

BMW Group and Ford Motor Company announce that they have signed a definitive agreement for Ford to buy the Land Rover business from BMW.

2000

June 14

The one millionth European Ford Focus rolls off the Saarlouis production line in Germany, the first Ford in Europe to have reached this milestone in under two years.

2000

July 1

Ford officially takes ownership of Land Rover from the BMW Group.

2000

July 21

The Ford Transit is driven off the production line at the Southampton plant.

2000

July 21

The last Ford Escort is driven off the production line at Halewood, Merseyside.

2000

Nov. 14

Ford begins redevelopment of the entire Ford Rouge Center, which will include a new vehicle assembly plant as the centerpiece of the nation's largest industrial redevelopment project.