COLOGNE, Germany - On August 18, 1925, an extraordinary journey began for the Blue Oval in Germany: That’s when the Ford Motor Company was registered in the commercial register in Berlin, and just a few months later assembly of the Model T began at the Berlin West Harbor.
Fast forward five years, and Henry Ford and Cologne's mayor Konrad Adenauer laid the foundation stone for the Company’s plant in Cologne-Niehl, sending a strong signal for industrial innovation on the Rhine.
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Since those early days in the 1920s, Ford has built cars and vans in Germany that have moved and continue to move millions of people around the world – from the Ford Taunus to the Escort and the Fiesta to the Transit.
And there’s more. Technological pioneering achievements such as standard ABS in the Ford Scorpio, the heated windshield, or state-of-the-art engine technology have repeatedly set benchmarks in terms of safety, comfort, and efficiency, have all been developed by Ford employees in Germany.
A century after its beginnings, Ford has opened a new chapter in Cologne. The Ford Explorer and Ford Capri all-electric models are being developed at the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center – equipped with efficient electric drive – proof points of Ford’s clear commitment to climate-friendly, electric mobility.
As our video shows, looking back fills with pride. As for the future, Ford will ensure with innovation, quality, and passion that mobility remains affordable while also becoming more sustainable.
Photo Gallery: 100 Years in Germany:
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@Ford will bring you many more exciting stories from “100 Years of Ford in Germany” in the coming weeks and months. The celebrations will culminate early summer 2026 with the official 100th anniversary celebration and a big factory festival in Cologne.
