As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, I find myself thinking a lot about the road we have traveled together.
Ford has been part of the American story for nearly 125 years. That is almost half of our nation's entire history. Over that time, we have seen this country at its highest points and stood by it during its toughest challenges.
I have always believed that Ford is more than just a company. We are a reflection of the American spirit. Henry Ford understood that a business is only as strong as the people who build its products. In 1914, he introduced the $5 work day. It was a radical idea at the time. It was not just about a paycheck. It was about building a middle class and giving people the dignity they earned.
Throughout our history, we have always tried to step up when the country needed us most. Whether it was becoming the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II or how we flipped to manufacture personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have always been at our best when we were serving a purpose larger than ourselves.
I’ve been surrounded by Ford values since the day I was born. Like many of our employees and dealers, I am a proud second-generation Ford employee, following in my father’s footsteps. My parents grew up in rural Nebraska and Ford changed their lives. Growing up, I saw firsthand how much my father loved his Ford colleagues, our dealers and the company as a whole. Those same family values he instilled in me guide me today, and are inextricably linked to Ford’s values.
Today, the world feels a bit louder and the fabric of our country more frayed. It is easy to lose sight of the foundational things that make us strong. I am talking about the dignity of hard work and the importance of looking out for your neighbor. These are the values that have always kept us grounded.
That is why, as we approach the country’s semiquincentennial, we are introducing “American Value. For American Values.” as a way to give back to our fellow Americans.
So what does that actually mean? It is our way of sticking up for the people who keep this nation moving. We show that value every day by employing more American hourly workers and assembling more vehicles here than any other automaker. We are deeply invested in the American worker and the neighborhoods where we live – a mission shared by our more than 2,800 dealers, who do so much for the local communities in which they operate.
“American Value. For American Values” is our commitment to the workers and families who drive this country forward. To us, that means more than just a century of history – it means offering employee pricing to provide the right value at the right time. And we are going to do that from now through July 6 on most new 2025 and 2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles at participating dealers across the U.S.
Our trucks and vans are the backbone for American small businesses. They help the builders and the dreamers power our economy every single day. We build adventure-ready off-road vehicles so you can go out and see the incredible beauty this land has to offer. And we continue to build thrilling cars that capture that uniquely American love for freedom and the open road.
Over the next few months, we’ll be celebrating America’s 250th along with the rest of the nation, with a focus on the people that make this country run.
You are the reason we show up to work every day. You are not just our customers. You are part of the Ford family. Thank you for being part of our story and for everything you do to keep this country moving forward. I am honored to be on this journey with you.
Andrew Frick is president of Ford Blue and Model e
