Executive Chair Bill Ford Shares the Core Values Guiding Our Next Generation

There are many reasons Ford Motor Company has remained strong after 123 years, but staying committed to our values is one of the key ingredients, Executive Chair Bill Ford told Axios co-founder Mike Allen as part of Axios House D.C. — a three-day convention bringing together top policymakers, business executives, and civic leaders to explore the ideas and policies that will define America's next 250 years.

As part of the country’s 250th birthday celebrations in Washington D.C., Ford sat down with the national news outlet for a wide-ranging conversation on what it takes to build and sustain an iconic American company, including Ford Motor Company's enduring competitive advantage, the future of U.S. manufacturing, the importance of an American industrial policy, and how the company is positioning itself for the decades ahead. 

Ford told Axios that he advises his children who are working at the company to prioritize these values as they look to Ford’s future in an everchanging automotive industry. His daughter, Alexandra Ford English, is a Board of Directors member, son Will Ford is Ford Racing General Manager, and son Nick Ford is Director of Corporate Strategy and attended the Axios event.

“It’s really important that they understand the values that we hold as a company, the obligation we have to our workforce, and the obligation we have to the communities in which we operate,” he said, recounting how Ford employees helped save the company during the Great Recession. “They understand that because they grew up with it, but now they’re living it every day. That’s really important because the world will change. They will have many different challenges than I ever had, but if they hold those values close, that will get them through tough times.”

Ford Motor Company’s commitment to assembling products in America and employing the most American workers in the industry is another priority, Ford said. 

“It’s something that I’m very proud of and it’s something that has been intentional,” Ford said while speaking on the topic of building America’s competitive advantage. “It was very important to me that we stay the most American company. …. And it’s about what you stand for as a company.”

Ford also stressed the need for a lasting, bi-partisan national industrial policy, citing other nations such as Japan, China and Korea. Such a policy would give the company longer lead times and impact our supply base. 

Ford also referenced the numerous multigenerational families among the company’s employee, dealer, and supplier bases, recalling a past trip to Kentucky Truck Plant in which he met with members of several multigenerational families. 

“It makes us more than just a nameless, faceless corporation,” he said. “If the people believe in the company and they believe in the values that you have, then it is enduring. And a lot of that is because of the multigenerational (aspect) — you don’t want to let those people down. It’s their livelihood. It’s their parents’ livelihood. It’s their siblings’ livelihood.”

Ford, 69, also gets a chance to meet with employees outside of company walls. He plays on a hockey team with Ford employees, which won an international tournament at Lake Placid in New York earlier this year.

“I love to play hockey,” he said. “There will come a day where I can’t do it anymore, but it’s a lot of fun. It takes your mind completely off work. And I love to compete.”

Ford then closed the approximately 15-minute interview by comparing his favorite sport to life. 

“If you’re not paying attention, you’ll get whacked in the face,” he said.