{"id":67730,"date":"2025-08-09T02:18:06","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T06:18:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/inside-the-ford-family-legacy-steering-the-future-of-electric-cars-and-racing\/"},"modified":"2025-08-09T02:18:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T06:18:06","slug":"inside-the-ford-family-legacy-steering-the-future-of-electric-cars-and-racing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/inside-the-ford-family-legacy-steering-the-future-of-electric-cars-and-racing\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside the Ford Family Legacy Steering the Future of Electric Cars and Racing"},"content":{"rendered":"

What\u2019s It Really Like to Run Ford as a Family? Insights from the Fords Themselves<\/p>\n

Ever wondered what it\u2019s like to have your last name on the front of one of the world\u2019s most iconic car companies? For the Ford family, that\u2019s just another day at the office\u2014though, as you\u2019ll see, it\u2019s anything but ordinary. In a rare and candid conversation, Steve Cropley sat down with Bill Ford, executive chairman and great-grandson of Henry Ford, along with his sons Will and Nick, to talk about everything from electrification to family dynamics. Let\u2019s dig into what makes Ford tick after 122 years, and why their approach to change, racing, and legacy is still turning heads.<\/p>\n

How Has Ford Stayed a Family Business for Over a Century?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not every day you find a global powerhouse still run by the same family that started it. Ford is unique here. Since 1902, the company\u2019s been steered by direct descendants of Henry Ford, making it the only major automaker with this kind of continuity. Bill Ford is just the fourth family member to sit at the top, but he\u2019s quick to point out that the family\u2019s influence isn\u2019t about nostalgia\u2014it\u2019s about responsibility.<\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s their secret? According to Bill, it\u2019s a mix of tradition and adaptability. The family doesn\u2019t just rest on its laurels; they\u2019re constantly asking what\u2019s next. That means tough conversations, a willingness to challenge each other, and a shared sense of purpose that goes beyond quarterly profits. It\u2019s about building something that lasts, not just for the family, but for employees, customers, and communities around the world.<\/p>\n

Is Ford\u2019s Commitment to Racing Still Relevant in the EV Era?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s be honest\u2014when you think of Ford, you probably picture a Mustang tearing down a track or a GT at Le Mans. Racing is in Ford\u2019s DNA. But with the auto industry shifting toward electrification, is there still room for speed and spectacle?<\/p>\n

Will Ford, who heads Ford Performance, says absolutely. In fact, Ford\u2019s recent partnership with Red Bull as a Formula 1 engine supplier is proof they\u2019re not backing down from competition. Racing isn\u2019t just about trophies; it\u2019s a testbed for new technology. The lessons learned on the track\u2014whether it\u2019s battery management or aerodynamics\u2014often find their way into the cars you and I drive every day.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not just about the tech. Racing keeps Ford\u2019s brand exciting and relevant, especially as younger audiences look for brands that can blend heritage with innovation. According to a 2023 Nielsen Sports report, global motorsport audiences are growing, with Formula 1 seeing a 20% increase in viewership over the past five years. Ford\u2019s continued presence in this space keeps them front and center.<\/p>\n

How Is Ford Approaching Electrification Without Leaving Customers Behind?<\/p>\n

The move to electric vehicles (EVs) is the biggest shakeup the auto industry has seen in decades. But as Bill Ford puts it, you can\u2019t force people to buy cars they don\u2019t want. Ford\u2019s strategy? Meet customers where they are.<\/p>\n

Nick Ford, director of corporate strategy, explains that while the company is investing heavily in EVs\u2014think the Mustang Mach-E or the F-150 Lightning\u2014they\u2019re also making sure their traditional lineup stays robust. In Europe, for example, Ford is focused on making passenger cars more appealing and durable, recognizing that different markets move at different speeds when it comes to electrification.<\/p>\n

This balanced approach is backed by data: According to the International Energy Agency, EVs made up about 14% of global car sales in 2022, but adoption rates vary widely by region. Ford\u2019s not betting the farm on a single technology; they\u2019re giving customers choices, whether that\u2019s a cutting-edge EV or a tried-and-true Transit van.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s It Like to Work in a Family Business the Size of Ford?<\/p>\n

Running a family business is one thing. Running Ford is another beast entirely. The Fords are quick to dispel the myth that the company is a family employment agency. In fact, family members have to earn their stripes just like anyone else. Bill, Will, and Nick all talk about the pressure\u2014and the privilege\u2014of carrying the Ford name.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a real sense of stewardship here. Decisions aren\u2019t just about the next quarter; they\u2019re about the next generation. That means thinking long-term, even when it\u2019s not the easiest or most popular path. It also means being open to outside perspectives\u2014Ford\u2019s leadership team is a mix of family and non-family executives, ensuring fresh ideas and accountability.<\/p>\n

And yes, they have favorite cars. But you\u2019ll have to listen to the full podcast for those stories\u2014let\u2019s just say there\u2019s a healthy mix of classic icons and modern marvels.<\/p>\n

Why Ford\u2019s Approach Matters Now More Than Ever<\/p>\n

In a world where companies often chase the next big thing at the expense of their roots, Ford\u2019s blend of tradition and innovation stands out. Their willingness to embrace change\u2014without losing sight of who they are\u2014offers a blueprint for other family businesses and industry giants alike.<\/p>\n

The outcome? A company that\u2019s not just surviving, but thriving, even as the auto industry reinvents itself. Whether you\u2019re a car enthusiast, a business buff, or just someone curious about what makes a legacy last, the Ford family\u2019s story is a reminder that with the right mix of grit, vision, and heart, you really can build something that stands the test of time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"WCF<\/a><\/p>\n

Steve Cropley sits down with the two generations of Ford family tasked with its move to electrification<\/p>\n

\n

In this bonus podcast, Autocar\u00a0editor-in-chief Steve Cropley meets the Fords. Yes, those ones, whose name is above the door at Ford Motor Company<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ford remains the only major car maker to have been led and controlled by its founding family for the entirety of its existence, in this case 122 years and counting. Steve Cropley recently sat down with Bill Ford \u2013 executive chairman and only the fourth Ford family member to sit at the top of the company \u2013 and his two sons, Will Ford, general manager of Ford Performance, and Nick Ford, director of corporate strategy.<\/p>\n

In a wide-ranging discussion, the quartet discuss improving Ford\u2019s passenger car \u201crobustness\u201d in Europe; Ford\u2019s enduring commitment to racing, including becoming Red Bull\u2019s Formula 1 engine supplier; the move to electrification and why you can\u2019t make people buy cars they don\u2019t want; the Transit; what it\u2019s like to run a family business the size of Ford; and why it\u2019s not a family employment agency; plus their favourite cars, and more besides.<\/p>\n

Make sure you never miss an Autocar podcast. Subscribe to our podcasts via Apple Podcasts<\/a>, Spotify<\/a>, Amazon Podcasts<\/a> or via your preferred podcast platform. And if you subscribe, rate and review the pod \u2013 we’d really appreciate that too.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":67731,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,137],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-67730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-featured","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67730","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67730"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67730\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67731"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}