October 1st will mark the 101st anniversary of the Model T Ford. It is still amazing how the Model T changed the world – from carriages to cars. But even more amazing is how far production lines have changed. Take a look at this video from The Henry Ford Museum…illustrating how the Model T was assembled.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf8d4NE8XPw[/youtube]
Here are some fun facts about the Ford Model T from this Ford Press Release.
* The Ford Model T debuted on Oct. 1, 1908, and thanks to Henry Ford’s vision, put the world on wheels. More than 15 million units of this car were built and sold in the 19 years Ford produced Model T. Production ended on May 26, 1927. Henry Ford called it the “universal car.” It became the symbol of low-cost, reliable transportation that could get through when other vehicles and horse-drawn wagons were stuck in muddy roads. The Model T won the approval of millions of Americans, who affectionately dubbed it “Tin Lizzie.”
* The Model T was the first low-priced, mass-produced automobile with standard, interchangeable parts.
* The Model T was equipped with a 20-horsepower, four-cylinder engine with a top speed of approximately 45 miles per hour, weighed 1,200 pounds, and achieved 13-21 miles per gallon.
* The first Model Ts sold for $825 (for a two-door roadster) – an unexpected bargain compared to other cars. But even more remarkable is that during its 19 years of production, Ford continued to steadily lower its price, thanks to manufacturing efficiencies including the moving assembly line introduced in 1913.
* In addition to its affordability, Model T stands out as the industry’s truly first global car. By 1921, it accounted for almost 57 percent of the world’s automobile production.
Now take a look at how the new Ford Figo is assembled in India.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAQRL-X4wcI[/youtube]
Ford Figo may be the next Model T. India’s demand for cars is growing fast…and with a population of 1.1 billion people (that’s about 1/6th of the world’s population) you can see why car companies are flocking to that region of the world. Will Ford Motor Company be able to transform India with the Figo like they did with the Model T in America in the early 1900s? The Ford Figo was revealed yesterday. To learn more about the Figo, go to FordFigo.com
