Ford (DE)

The history of Ford in Germany, now known as Ford-Werke GmbH, is a key part of the global expansion of the Ford Motor Company and the European automotive landscape. Its origins date back to the 1920s, with significant growth, a controversial role during World War II, and a subsequent resurgence that made it a pillar of the German and European automotive industry.

The Beginnings and Birth of Ford-Werke

1925: Ford Motor Company AG, Ford's first German subsidiary, is founded in Berlin. Initially, the Berlin-Plötzensee plant operates as a pure assembly plant, importing parts (in a process known as Completely Knocked Down) to evade import duties on finished vehicles.

1930: The company's headquarters are moved from Berlin to Cologne, a strategic move that will lead to the construction of a new, larger plant.

1931: Henry Ford personally lays the cornerstone of the new Cologne-Niehl plant. Production began in May with the Ford Model A, but the Great Depression and the banking crisis forced a brief suspension. Despite initial difficulties, production quickly resumed.

1939: The company changed its name to Ford-Werke AG, a name it retained until 2002.

World War II

This is a controversial and complex chapter in Ford's history in Germany.

During the 1930s, Ford's operations in Germany expanded, making the company the country's fourth-largest automaker by 1938, behind Opel, Mercedes-Benz, and DKW.

With the outbreak of war, civilian production was gradually replaced by military production. Ford factories in Germany produced vehicles for the German army, particularly trucks such as the V3000.

The use of forced labor and prisoners of war within Ford-Werke plants is documented. Although Ford Motor Company claimed to have lost control of its German operations during the war, the use of slave labor and forced labor is a proven fact. In 2000, Ford agreed to contribute to a compensation fund for the victims.

It is a curious and often cited fact that Ford's factories in Cologne did not suffer severe damage from Allied bombing, unlike much of the city.

Post-War and Recovery

1945: With the end of the war, production quickly resumed, initially with trucks.

1948: Automobile production also resumed with the Ford Taunus, a model that would become a symbol of German economic recovery.

1953: Thanks to the success of the legendary Taunus 12 M, Ford-Werke set new production records.

Over time, Ford Germany produced numerous successful models that left their mark on the automotive industry, including several generations of the Taunus and iconic cars such as the Ford Capri.

The Birth of Ford of Europe

1967: To consolidate and streamline its operations on the continent, Ford Motor Company merged its British division (Ford of Britain) and German divisions (Ford-Werke), as well as its Irish subsidiary, to create Ford of Europe. This merger marked an era of greater integration and joint vehicle development for the European market.

The first vehicle jointly developed by this new European hub was the Ford Transit van, an immediate and enduring success that remains one of the best-selling commercial vehicles in Europe.

Ford in Germany Today

Today, Ford-Werke GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and continues to play a crucial role in the group's European strategy.

The company's headquarters and main manufacturing plant are still located in Cologne. Another major plant is in Saarlouis.

Ford of Europe, headquartered in Cologne, coordinates development, manufacturing, and sales activities across Europe. The Cologne-Merkenich research and development center is a center of excellence for automotive engineering.

The company is currently undergoing a transformation, with a strong emphasis on electrification and technological innovation, as demonstrated by recent investments and staff cuts to reorganize its European production structure.