It was on this day in 1911 that Ford Motor Co. (England) was established, paving the way for Henry Ford’s first overseas operation.
Under the chairmanship of Bristol-born Percival Perry, a disused Tram factory in Trafford Park, Manchester, was the chosen site for an assembly plant to make the Model T which quickly became Britain’s biggest selling vehicle with over 30% of the market.
By 1919, after the plant was extended, a staggering 41% of British registered cars were Fords.
By the mid 1920’s a larger site at Dagenham was acquired which eventually became operational in 1931 - the same year that production ended at Trafford Park.
Additional sites were also acquired at Walthamstow, Langley, Halewood and Basildon but in 2013 Ford finally ended vehicle manufacturing in the UK, though still makes engines at Dagenham and Bridgend.