In recognition of America’s 250-year history, Executive Chair Bill Ford acknowledged the automaker’s impact through innovation and in creating new opportunities in people's lives.

In an interview with CNBC for their America 250 series “spotlighting the companies that rose with the nation and continue to shape its future,” Ford spoke about his great-grandfather, Henry Ford. He explained that through the automaker, Henry Ford “helped create the middle class of America, and he gave the average American the freedom of mobility that they didn’t have prior to the Model T.”

Ford said the creation of the assembly line, paired with the decision to increase worker wages to $5 a day and offer profit-sharing, played a significant role in ensuring vehicles were more affordable to more people.

The interview comes as Ford is being recognized broadly for its place in American history.

In January, TIME named Ford America’s Most Iconic Company, saying Ford is deeply aligned with the American identity.

In a recent online survey conducted by Morning Consult, Ford was ranked first, chosen by 17% of respondents who were asked to identify the most “quintessentially American brand.”

The survey found Ford was ranked first equally by both Republicans and Democrats.

“As we look to the next 250 years, I believe the future is incredibly bright,” Bill Ford told the Detroit Free Press. "But it hinges on us coming together as a nation. We must heal our divisions and keep pushing forward, just as we always have. Ford will be there, serving the nation and helping to build a stronger future.”