Ford Timeline: 1974-2003

Introduction of F-series-based 1978 Bronco sports utility vehicle, predecessor of Expedition

Introduction of “Panther” family full-sized 1979 Ford LTD/Mercury Marquis

Henry Ford II retires as chief executive officer, succeeded by Phillip Caldwell;

Ford obtains initial 25 percent interest in Toyo Kogyo of Japan, later renamed Mazda;

Introduction of Panther-based 1980 Lincoln Town Car and Continental Mark VI

Introduction of 1981-model front-wheel-drive Ford Escort/Mercury Lynx “world car” built in North America and Europe of mostly different components;

Last year in U.S. for a 1960 Falcon-based car, mid-sized Ford Granada

Henry Ford II retires as company officer and employee;

Introduction of first “jelly-bean” styled cars, 1983 Ford Thunderbird/Mercury Cougar

Introduction of Fox-based 1984 Continental Mark VII;

Introduction of Ranger-based 1984 Bronco II compact SUV

Introduction of rear-wheel-drive 1986 Ford Aerostar compact van;

Introduction of front-wheel-drive mid-sized 1986 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable

Hertz Corporation acquired by Ford and a partnership;

Ford acquires a majority of Aston Martin Lagonda, limited-production British sports car manufacturer;

Death of Henry Ford II;

Introduction of 1991 Ford Explorer SUV;

Ford reduces its involvement in tractor operations to a minority interest in a joint venture with Fiat, sells Ford Aerospace (a Philco remnant)

Scottish-born Alex Trotman succeeds Poling as chairman and CEO

Introduction of Mondeo-based mid-sized 1995 Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique, replacing Tempo/Topaz but discontinued after 2000

Introduction of F-150-based 1997 Ford Expedition SUV;

Introduction of Explorer-based 1997 Mercury Mountaineer SUV;

Two-hundred-fifty millionth Ford vehicle built

Rear-wheel-drive Ford Thunderbird/Mercury Cougar discontinued;

Introduction of Lincoln Navigator SUV;

Edsel Ford II resigns as president of Ford Credit;

Lincoln Mark series, descendent of original 1940 Continental coupe, discontinued;

Introduction in Europe of Ford Focus compact car

Acquisition of Volvo Cars and TH!NK electric car;

Introduction of 2000 Ford Excursion SUV based on Super Duty F-250

Introduction of rear-wheel-drive mid-sized Lincoln LS and Jaguar S-type models with similar platform and powertrain;

Acquisition of Land Rover from BMW;

Visteon Corporation parts-making organization spun off;

Ford Explorer/Firestone tire-safety controversy results in recalls, litigation, Congressional hearings and lost sales

Second (and voluntary) Firestone tire recall and replacement costs billions;

Bill Ford Jr. resumes active management role as CEO, fourth generation of the founding Ford family;

Nasser resigns as president, replaced by Nick Scheele;

Introduction of retro two-place 2002 Ford Thunderbird

Front-wheel-drive Lincoln Continental sedan discontinued;

Introduction of Explorer-based 2003 Lincoln Aviator mid-sized SUV

Year-long celebration of Ford Motor Company centennial;

Lincoln-Mercury returning to Dearborn from California