Ford Named Most Iconic American Company by Time Magazine
Forget Apple, Coca-Cola, Walmart or McDonald’s: Ford is No. 1 in Time magazine’s inaugural ranking of the most iconic American companies—not only for demonstrating strong commercial success but also playing a significant role in shaping American culture and society.
This result is actually based on a survey of more than 10,000 Americans. Eligible companies considered must have existed for at least 10 years, have their headquarters in the U.S. and be evaluated according to five main criteria: High Recognition and Familiarity, Cultural Significance and Impact, Emotional Connection, Resilience, Americanness.
Identified by the world-famous Blue Oval logo, Ford was founded in 1903 in Detroit, now known as the Motor City. Its success really took off in 1908 with the launch of the Model T, the first series-produced automobile—with over 15 million units sold—and a symbol of what came to be known as "Fordism."
Looking at the entire history of Ford, the F-Series pickup—the F-150 in particular—has contributed the most to shaping the company's image and reputation. As the best-selling truck in the U.S. (and Canada), this vehicle meets the needs of a vast number of drivers and businesses, offering a multitude of configurations, models, powertrains and options across a wide range of prices.
Ford also has a luxury brand, Lincoln, and is expanding its operations globally, including in China. In addition to road vehicles, the automaker is also actively involved in several motorsport series. In fact, Ford will be making a return to Formula 1 this year.
Time explained that Ford’s success comes from its long-standing alignment with American identity, particularly by making cars accessible to the masses. Moving forward, the company has a plan to “redefine the future of mobility in the country” through continued investment in self-driving technologies and efforts to reduce electric vehicle prices.
“Just as my great-grandfather put the world on wheels to give people the freedom of movement, our approach to the modern era is rooted in that same spirit. Innovation is not just about building batteries or technology for its own sake; it is about making people’s lives better,” said Bill Ford, Ford’s Executive Chair. “We are leveraging our position as the largest hourly auto employer in the U.S. to ensure that the future of transportation is built by American workers for everyday American families.”
It should be noted that Ford's main rival, General Motors, also ranks among the most iconic American companies according to Time, landing in seventh place. We'll leave you with the top 10 list below. Let the debate begin!
- Ford
- Apple
- Coca-Cola
- Walmart
- Amazon
- McDonald’s
- General Motors
- Microsoft
- Nike
