Henry Ford and the Model T

The CEO of the Detroit Motor Company believed that it was impossible for an automobile to be made cheap enough, for the general public to afford it. Even if they were able to, people would not be interested in it, as gasoline was a rare commodity at that time (Schlasgel). In 1903, Henry Ford and 2 associate investors founded Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan. Several months later, the first car to bear the name Ford, rolled out of a former carpenter shop, that had been converted into an assembly plant on Mack Avenue (Dammann 9). The Mack Avenue plant became the worlds first mass-production car factory. In order to keep up with high demand, Henry Ford invented revolutionary mass-production techniques, that are still used today, in order to get the cars off the production line, and into consumer's hands faster (Cauz). Henry Ford put his company onto the path of success, with his mass-production techniques, and brilliant group of staff that helped market, and sell his cars. .
             The Model T brought Ford into the forefront of the young automobile industry, and quickly took the majority of the market share with virtually no competition. His cheap car was could not be matched by his competitors. The Model T had a custom front-mounted 177-cubic-inch, 4 cylinder engine that could go a top speed of 40-45 mph, on 15 mpg (Model T.). The speeds and gas mileage were outstanding at the time, for a car that was within the price range of the Model T. His engine was custom built, using the cheapest and most efficient parts he could find. The majority of the engine was made using brand new parts, that Ford invented himself, with the purpose of being as cheap as possible (Schlasgel). As Dammann stated, "The Model T was far more dependable, better than more expensive cars, and was priced at a range where even the poorest motorist could afford it (5)." .
             Cars were considered luxuries for rich men, until the Model T came out.