Ford
The very first member of the Ford Motor Company family of brands, Ford offers distinctively designed and affordable vehicles for the world's varying lifestyles. From the Model T—the car that first brought driving to the people—to more recent favorites like the Mustang in the United States, the Mondeo in Europe, the EcoSport in South America and the Territory in Asia, Ford vehicles have been among the world's most popular cars, trucks and SUVs.
Brief History
Ford Motor Company began with just Ford vehicles in a wagon shop in Michigan. To fully understand the essence of this founding member of the family brands, just look at the early history of Ford Motor Company, from Henry Ford's earliest automotive experiments to the Model A, Model T and beyond.
While value for money has always been a top priority in developing Ford vehicles, that concern has never compromised quality or the pursuit of quality solutions. Ford has always strived to meet consumers' real-life requirements—from smaller cars for Europeans to "smarter" cars for the ever-changing environment.
More Information
In the United States, visit the Ford Vehicles website or call 800-392-3673 (TDD for the hearing impaired: 800-232-5952). Outside the United States, visit our country websites.
Lincoln
Since 1921, Lincoln has remained an American icon of unparalleled luxury. Today, Lincoln continues to capture the essence of the American spirit. Like the very best of dynamic American design, Lincoln takes an unapologetic approach to luxury—one that embraces elegance, proportion and a balance of exuberance and restraint.Brief History
Ford Motor Company acquired Lincoln Motor Company in 1922 for $8 million. Lincoln became the first "outsider" to join the Ford family of brands and initiated Ford Motor Company's entry into the field of luxury vehicles.
Lincoln's vehicle history is dominated mainly by a few evolving lines of luxury cars, including the Continental, improved with each new model year to meet the brand's goal of providing "indulgence at its finest."
More Information
Visit the Lincoln Vehicles website or call 800-521-4140
Mercury
Mercury's vehicle development continues today to strive toward the ideals of a sophisticated and clever choice for the consumer.
Brief History
Mercury is unique within the Ford Motor Company family as the only vehicle brand other than Ford to be created from within the company. In the mid-1930s, management at Ford Motor Company began to identify a gap in product line between the economical Fords and the luxury Lincolns. Mercury was developed to fill that gap and bring Ford Motor Company a competitive edge.
Conceived as a balance of luxury and affordability, Mercury has proven a versatile and enduring brand over the years.
More Information
Visit the Mercury Vehicles website or call 800-521-4140.
Mazda
Named after the ancient god of wisdom, Mazda is proud of its heritage of innovation in creating vehicles that deliver the feeling of "Zoom-Zoom" that you first felt as a child.
Brief History
What started out as a tiny cork manufacturer called the Toyo Cork Kogyo Company in Hiroshima, Japan, today stands as a world leader in the production of commercial and passenger vehicles.
Mazda's first work in 1931 was a three-wheeled truck, the Mazda-Go—a striking combination of motorcycle and automobile. All vehicles that followed took on the Mazda name and, in 1984, the company officially changed its name to Mazda. The intention was to help Mazda employees, and all others who came in contact with the company's vehicles, recognize the values of the god of wisdom and see Mazda as a leading light in the automobile industry.
More Information
Visit the Mazda website or call 800-222-5500.
International Contact
Mazda Motor Corporation
Hiroshima, Japan
001-81-82-282-11 11
Volvo
From the world's first three-point safety belt to the world's first safety-concept car, Volvo has set the standard for automotive safety since 1927. Volvo's ongoing commitment to safety, the environment and innovation remains as strong today as it was over 80 years ago.
Brief History
Volvo was born on April 14, 1927, when the first car, 4, nicknamed ''Jakob,'' left the factory in Gothenburg. The Swedish company began over a crawfish lunch between two friends, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson.
Volvo's first six-cylinder car, the PV651, was introduced in 1929 and quickly became the standard for taxis throughout Sweden. In 1955, Volvo began exporting to the United States, and in 1966, the Volvo 164 was named "the world's safest car."
On March 8, 1999, Volvo shareholders approved the sale of Volvo cars to the Ford Motor Company. As part of the Ford Motor Company family of brands, the new millennium started very well, with the company selling 422,100 vehicles in 2000, a record year. In 2002, the long-awaited XC90—Volvo's first true SUV—was unveiled in Detroit and won North American International Auto Show Truck of the Year in 2003.
More Information
Visit the Volvo website or call 800-458-1552.
Jaguar
Over the decades, Jaguar has introduced a number of vehicles that have become legendary for their beauty, design and comfort as well as the pure driving thrills they offer. Jaguar's three most influential vehicle types—premium sedans such as the XJ series, the sports car and the sports sedan—have evolved over the years and exemplify how the traditions the company began years ago are still very much alive today.
Brief History
Jaguar founder William Lyons began by producing "Swallow" motorcycle sidecars not long after his 21st birthday in 1922. By 1945 he advanced to building new cars with high-performance engines: These were the first Jaguars.
From early on, Jaguar's success derived from its vehicles' style and elegance as well as their excellent value for that level of luxury car. Advanced engineering and superior performance made Jaguar a sensation in the racing world. A member of Ford Motor Company's family of vehicle brands since 1989, Jaguar continues to flourish in the tradition that Sir William Lyons first defined over 80 years ago.
More Information
Visit the Jaguar website or call 800-452-4827.
Land Rover
Land Rover is a name universally identified with the definitive four-wheel-drive vehicle. Although Land Rover is constantly enhancing and developing its products, the history behind these unique vehicles reveals a consistency of vision—a combination of firm values and iconic design.
Brief History
The first Land Rover emerged from postwar Britain in 1948—a brilliantly simple and inventive work-focused vehicle made of aluminum. Brothers Spencer and Maurice Wilks, working for the British car company Rover, created a new vehicle that combined utilitarian simplicity with rugged, dependable quality.
Today, Land Rover manufactures permanent all-wheel-drive vehicles exclusively. This focus is perhaps one reason why Land Rover's values—adventure, guts and supremacy—shine through in its vehicles so clearly.
Now sold in more than 140 countries, Land Rover has traveled from a basic utilitarian product in 1948 to today's automotive icon. Few products can match the recognition and respect accorded to Land Rover vehicles.