Books, documentaries and collectible merchandise are also in the pipeline as Ford takes stock of a memorable century.
Closer to home, Ford Middle East is celebrating the day, 100 years ago, when Henry Ford put the world on wheels with its best-ever annual unit sales in the region, 20 per cent plus sales growth in the first quarter of 2003, and the launch of a special centennial edition of its best-known car in the Gulf - the long wheelbase Ford Crown Victoria full-size passenger sedan - in Saudi Arabia.
Reinforcing its commitment to the community in the Middle East, where Ford's history goes back more than 50 years, the company has also marked the centennial year by recently launching the Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants for the fourth consecutive year in the GCC and the third straight year in the Levant. Once again, a total of US$90,000 is available to worthy volunteer causes in the region.
A national road show will then hit top gear as Ford's senior management emulate the legendary people skills of the company's founding father and criss-cross America to meet customers, dealers, community leaders and Ford classic car enthusiasts. Touring history exhibitions and car displays are also on the cards, featuring ride and drives in replica models of the car that started the Ford phenomenon - the Model T Ford.
Jim Benintende, managing director of Ford Middle East, said: "2003 is a landmark year for Ford in the Middle East as it is for the company the world over. Record sales, new product launches, and an expanding dealership network across the region are the perfect platform for continued growth and success.
"The 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Long Wheelbase Centennial Edition, launched in Riyadh earlier this month, is already proving a hit with customers and will undoubtedly become a highly collectible version of a model that has sold more than 50,000 units in the Kingdom to date."
Benintende added: "Ford can look back on 50 memorable years in the Middle East and look forward to many successful years to come. As Bill Ford said recently, history is about the past while heritage is history with a future."
A New Logo
The Ford oval is one of the most distinctive company trademarks in the world and this unmistakable design has evolved subtly over the years from its original black-on-white form.
From June 17, 2003, the first day of Ford Motor Company's second century, Ford will launch the centennial oval as the company's new corporate identity.
A modernised version of the classic oval, the 'refreshed' design will be the symbol for both corporate communications and Ford-branded cars and trucks. It will also enjoy pride of place atop Ford's world HQ in Dearborn, Michigan.
Jan Valentic, vice president, Global Marketing, Ford Motor Company, said: "The Ford oval is a powerful symbol. As we head into our next century, we want to make it clear that the same symbol will lead the industry based on three simple values - great products, a strong business and a better world."
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100 years and counting as Ford looks forward to second century of success
- United Arab Emirates: Thursday, May 22 - 2003 at 10:01
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Ford Motor Company celebrates its 100th birthday next month with a star-studded concert and fireworks display at its Henry Ford II World Center headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, and a series of memorable events - from competitions to classic car shows - in more than 100 cities across the United States.
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BIRTH OF A LEGEND
On June 16, 1903, Henry Ford and 11 investors created the company that would go on to produce the first mass-produced car and establish Ford as the best-selling motor brand in the USA and the second-largest automobile-maker in the world.
A century and more than 250 million vehicles later, Ford is still setting the standards for power, comfort, safety, technology and value for money.
As its creator memorably put it, the Model T was available in any colour as long as it was black. Black paint dried the quickest, reducing production time and helping to pass on unbeatable savings to customers.
By the mid-1920s more than 10 million Ford cars had been built, and the company's reputation as the leading international manufacturer of vehicles for the masses was firmly established.
Memorable cars that broaden the horizons of ordinary people are still a hallmark of Ford Motor Company in 2003. The only car to win Car Of The Year accolades on both sides of the Atlantic, the Ford Focus is in many ways the modern Ford Model T - ubiquitous, convenient, easy to drive, cheap to own, and excellent value for money.
Promising unusually refined driving dynamics for a small car and impressively low cost of ownership, Ford's C-segment leader was officially the world's best-selling car in 2000 and 2001 - an achievement that would have made Ford's founder proud.
INVESTING IN PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES
The thought of receiving more than twice your salary for a shorter working day would be an idle daydream for most people. But Henry Ford turned wishful thinking into a reality in 1914 when he decided to increase the daily wage at his Highland Park Model T plant from US$2.34 for nine hours to US$5.00 for eight. Overnight, staff turnover was slashed dramatically and the company became inundated with eager job applicants.
This principle of investing in people and communities continues at Ford today with programmes like the Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants. A global initiative, aimed at promoting sustainable environmental projects and greater local awareness of environmental and conservation issues, the Ford Grants have donated millions of dollars to assist the work of countless dedicated volunteers across more than 50 countries.
Nearly US$250,000 has been awarded to volunteer groups in the Middle East so far - from whale researchers in Oman to marine conservationists in Jordan - since the programme made its debut in the region in 2000. This year the Grants celebrate their fourth year in the GCC and third year in the Levant - and, if the growing response to the initiative is anything to go by, more applications than ever can be expected in 2003.
ABOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Ford Motor Company, which has its headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, is the world's second largest automaker with approximately 335,000 employees in 200 markets across six continents.
Its automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care and Hertz.
Ford Motor Company's history in the Middle East goes back more than 50 years. The company's local dealers operate more than 40 facilities in the GCC and directly employ more than 3,500 people, the majority of whom are Arab Nationals. Ford Motor Company celebrates its 100th anniversary on June 16, 2003.
On June 16, 1903, Henry Ford and 11 investors created the company that would go on to produce the first mass-produced car and establish Ford as the best-selling motor brand in the USA and the second-largest automobile-maker in the world.
A century and more than 250 million vehicles later, Ford is still setting the standards for power, comfort, safety, technology and value for money.
As its creator memorably put it, the Model T was available in any colour as long as it was black. Black paint dried the quickest, reducing production time and helping to pass on unbeatable savings to customers.
By the mid-1920s more than 10 million Ford cars had been built, and the company's reputation as the leading international manufacturer of vehicles for the masses was firmly established.
Memorable cars that broaden the horizons of ordinary people are still a hallmark of Ford Motor Company in 2003. The only car to win Car Of The Year accolades on both sides of the Atlantic, the Ford Focus is in many ways the modern Ford Model T - ubiquitous, convenient, easy to drive, cheap to own, and excellent value for money.
Promising unusually refined driving dynamics for a small car and impressively low cost of ownership, Ford's C-segment leader was officially the world's best-selling car in 2000 and 2001 - an achievement that would have made Ford's founder proud.
INVESTING IN PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES
The thought of receiving more than twice your salary for a shorter working day would be an idle daydream for most people. But Henry Ford turned wishful thinking into a reality in 1914 when he decided to increase the daily wage at his Highland Park Model T plant from US$2.34 for nine hours to US$5.00 for eight. Overnight, staff turnover was slashed dramatically and the company became inundated with eager job applicants.
This principle of investing in people and communities continues at Ford today with programmes like the Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants. A global initiative, aimed at promoting sustainable environmental projects and greater local awareness of environmental and conservation issues, the Ford Grants have donated millions of dollars to assist the work of countless dedicated volunteers across more than 50 countries.
Nearly US$250,000 has been awarded to volunteer groups in the Middle East so far - from whale researchers in Oman to marine conservationists in Jordan - since the programme made its debut in the region in 2000. This year the Grants celebrate their fourth year in the GCC and third year in the Levant - and, if the growing response to the initiative is anything to go by, more applications than ever can be expected in 2003.
ABOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Ford Motor Company, which has its headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, is the world's second largest automaker with approximately 335,000 employees in 200 markets across six continents.
Its automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care and Hertz.
Ford Motor Company's history in the Middle East goes back more than 50 years. The company's local dealers operate more than 40 facilities in the GCC and directly employ more than 3,500 people, the majority of whom are Arab Nationals. Ford Motor Company celebrates its 100th anniversary on June 16, 2003.
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