Ford (Brazil) - AllCarIndex

Ford do Brasil, a subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company, was established on April 24, 1919, with an initial investment of $25,000, later increased to $30,000 at the suggestion of Henry Ford. The company began operations in São Paulo, where it inaugurated an assembly line in 1921. Although the Model T became the most popular automobile in Brazil, local vehicle production did not commence until 1957, when Ford invested $24 million to start manufacturing trucks.

In 1965, Ford do Brasil introduced its first locally produced automobile, a version of the Galaxy powered by a 4.5-liter V8 engine. Two years later, in 1967, Ford merged with Willys, leading to a diverse range of vehicles that included the Renault Dauphine, the Aero-Willys sedan, and the Jeep-based Rural Willys station wagons. The merger allowed Ford to expand its offerings significantly, with the introduction of the 1969 Ford V8s featuring a 4,752 cc engine, power-assisted steering, and air conditioning as standard.

The Corcel, a small four-door sedan, was launched in 1968 and became popular due to its design and performance. It was available in two engine variants: a 1,289 cc version producing 68 bhp and a 1,400 cc GT version with 80 bhp. The Corcel's name, suggested by publicist Mauro Salles, aligned with Ford's equestrian-themed model names. By 1971, production of the Corcel reached 127,000 units, and a two-door coupé version was introduced in 1969. The Ford Maverick was introduced in 1972, available in various body styles, and was initially equipped with Willys or Ford V8 engines, transitioning to a standard 2.3-liter OHC four-cylinder engine by 1976.

In the following years, Ford do Brasil continued to innovate, introducing the Corcel II in 1977 and the Del Rey luxury sedan in 1981. The company also pioneered the use of alcohol-powered engines in its vehicles, starting with the Corcel in 1979. The Escort model began production in 1983, and by 1993, Ford do Brasil had expanded its lineup to include the Escort, Verona, Fiesta, Versailles, and Hobby. The Corcel II was eventually discontinued in 1987, marking the end of an era for one of Brazil's most beloved vehicles.