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The Industrial Revolution Created by Henry Ford, The Impact of the Model T on the World and How the Historic Brand Competes with Electric Giants in a New Era of Connected, Electric Cars Produced on an Unprecedented Global Scale.
On June 15, 1924, the Ford Motor Company achieved an unprecedented milestone for its time: it produced its 10 Millionth Car, a Ford Model T.
The model, known as “Tin Lizzie,” had been launched in 1908 and quickly became the first truly affordable car for the middle-class population of the United States.
The achievement of 1924 established Ford as the leading automaker in the world at that moment, placing the automotive industry at a new level of scale and social influence.
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The Model T was not just a popular car. It was the basis of a revolution.
Initially produced using almost artisanal processes, the model began to be manufactured on mechanized assembly lines, designed by Henry Ford, who reduced the production time of a car from 12 hours to about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The concept of mass production, later known as “Fordism,” transformed global manufacturing and influenced sectors far beyond automotive.
That year, to celebrate the 10 million units, the company organized a symbolic campaign: the commemorative car traveled across the United States on a route crossing with the first car produced by the automaker in 1903.
The event marked not only a technical achievement but also a strong advertising gesture reinforcing the brand’s strength.
Ford in 2025: Production Volume and Electrification
While in 1924 Ford almost single-handedly dominated global vehicle production, the scenario in 2025 is more complex and competitive.
The company remains among the largest manufacturers in the world, though it has fallen in the global rankings compared to the past.
Recent data shows that in 2024, Ford produced around 4.5 million vehicles worldwide, with approximately 2.08 million sold in the United States alone, its main market.
Of these, 285,291 were electrified models (hybrids and electric), representing a 38% growth over the previous year, driven by models such as the Mustang Mach-E, F‑150 Lightning, and E‑Transit.
The Largest Automakers in the World
The global leadership in production in 2024 belongs to Japanese Toyota, with 10.16 million vehicles, followed by Volkswagen (9.03 million), Hyundai-Kia (7.23 million), GM (5.99 million), and Stellantis (5.41 million).
Ford ranks 8th, with 3.9 million units accounted for in international reports.
In the same year, China consolidated itself as the largest industrial hub in the sector, with 31.3 million vehicles produced — about 33% of the global total.
Chinese brands like BYD and Geely have grown rapidly.
BYD, for example, produced 4.27 million vehicles in 2024, most of which are fully electric or hybrid, with strong penetration in Asian, European, and Latin American markets.
Ten Million in a Century: Comparison with the Current Industry
The comparison between 1924 and 2025 highlights the monumental advancement of the global automotive industry.
While Ford celebrated, 101 years ago, 10 million cars manufactured since its foundation, today global production ranges between 79 and 89 million vehicles per year.
The annual production of Ford itself already represents almost half of that centennial mark, demonstrating the industry’s escalation and the new pace of consumption and innovation.
The technological evolution is also evident.
The Model T had a 2.9-liter engine, four cylinders, and 20 horsepower, with a top speed of 72 km/h.
Today, models like the F‑150 Lightning offer over 500 horsepower in electric versions and technologies like adaptive cruise control, bidirectional charging, cloud connectivity, and software updates via OTA.
Ford’s Relationship with Brazil and the National Impact
Brazil is also part of this story.
Ford established its first operation in the country in 1919, headquartered in the Bom Retiro neighborhood of São Paulo.
The São Bernardo do Campo factory was one of the first in Latin America and for decades produced iconic models like the Corcel, the Del Rey, the Escort, the Ka, and the EcoSport.
In 2021, the company decided to end local production, maintaining only imports and commercial structure.
However, even without national manufacturing, the brand remains among the best-sellers, particularly with the Territory and Mustang.
Meanwhile, other automakers have also established roots in Brazil and remain competitive, such as Volkswagen, General Motors, and Toyota, all with operational plants and constant investment in new models, including hybrids and electric.
The Brazilian automotive industry is in a transition phase, trying to align environmental goals with technological renewal while facing logistical bottlenecks, high tax burdens, and demand uncertainties.
The Future of Ford in the Face of a New Mobility Revolution
The current scenario also shows the transformation of urban mobility.
In addition to electric cars, the number of startups focused on shared mobility is growing, such as electric scooters and on-demand rental platforms.
In contrast to the monopoly of combustion cars in the 1920s, today consumers have access to an unprecedented diversity of modes and propulsions.
The rise of electrification, the geopolitical competition for batteries and raw materials, and the advancement of Chinese automakers are the major vectors of the ongoing transformation.
Ford, which once led the industry alone, now competes with global and emerging giants in a more dynamic and unpredictable landscape.
Its investments in electrification, like the new electric vehicle platform and partnerships with technology companies, indicate an attempt to reposition itself.
But looking back, the image of the 10 millionth Model T still represents something powerful: the idea that the automobile can be a driver of social and economic change.
The difference is that, in 2025, this change relies as much on batteries, chips, and connectivity as it does on wheels and engines.
In an increasingly electric, digital, and automated world, what role will century-old brands like Ford play in the next mobility revolution?
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