American Business Abroad
Ford on Six Continents

Documents the first sixty years of Ford Motor Company's international expansion, tracing its global business expansion across six continents.

Mira Wilkins (Author), Frank Ernest Hill (Author)

9781107007970, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 27 June 2011

582 pages, 23 b/w illus. 8 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 3.7 cm, 1.02 kg

American Business Abroad: Ford on Six Continents documents the first sixty years of Ford Motor Company's international expansion. Ford Motor Company introduced Americans to the first affordable car. Based on Ford's extraordinary company archives, this book traces the company's rise as a multinational enterprise. Following the export of the sixth car produced by the company, Ford opened its first plant abroad in its second year of business and quickly expanded around the world, building a business that by the mid 1920s spanned six continents. It faced wars, nationalism, numerous government restrictions and all the perils of operating across borders. First published in 1964, this book has lasting value in reminding readers of the long and uneven path of globalization. This new edition includes a new introduction by the author examining the impact and legacy of the study. It remains a major contribution to global economic history. In addition, Ford's history offers useful lessons today for both participants in the global economy and students of international business.

Introduction
1. First venture
2. Probing for markets
3. Model T: triumph and fable
4. The alchemy of war
5. Steps in expansion
6. The sun never sets
7. Prosperity and frustration
8. The missionary spirit
9. The best-laid plans
10. Marriage of convenience
11. Time of desperation
12. A world disturbed
13. Extreme of nationalism
14. The British empire
15. On both sides of World War II
16. The crippled phoenix
17. The new company
18. Manufacturing for world markets: from Dagenham to Geelong
19. New times, new faces, new policies
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Economic history [KCZ], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], History of the Americas [HBJK]