Ford is making its factories more flexible and efficient by expanding its assembly plants in emerging markets.  As we know, Ford is famous for its assembly line production as it sold only one type of car in one colour.  However, it currently declares it plans to build more plants internationally “to improve efficiency, reduce cost and respond more quickly to changing consumer tastes (Lienert).”  It shows designing the exact product the consumers want is extremely important, as we discussed in previous classes that customization enables company to sell more and charge a higher price.  Time changes, and businesses that fail to keep up with time fail to sell.  Ford is an example of a company with sharp sense to the change in market.  In fact, it will even adopt advanced techniques as 3D printing for its prototype parts.  This is probably the reason why Ford has been selling cars for 110 years since 1903, and currently selling more cars.

(Photo credit: Autoevolution)

References:

“Overview.” Fordfoundation. 2013. <http://www.fordfoundation.org/about-us/history>

Lienert, Paul. “Ford aims to make its factories more flexible, efficient.” Business News Network. 7 Oct. 2013. <http://www.bnn.ca/News/2013/10/7/Ford-aims-to-make-its-factories-more-flexible-efficient.aspx>

Magretta, J., & Dell, M. (1998). The Power of Virtual Integration: An Interview with Dell Computer’s Michael Dell. Harvard Business Review, 76(2), 72-84. <https://ares.library.ubc.ca/aresinternal/docs/19965.pdf>

“Sask. inventor’s 3D printer making waves on Kickstarter.” CTV News. 2 Oct. 2013. <http://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/sask-inventor-s-3d-printer-making-waves-on-kickstarter-1.1481224>