Henry Ford and the Model T: Lessons for product platforming and mass customization

Fabrice Alizon, Steven B. Shooter, Timothy W. Simpson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Everyone knows Henry Ford's famous maxim: "You can have any color car you want so long as it's black." While he is recognized as the father of mass production, his contributions extend well beyond that, offering valuable lessons for product platforming and mass customization. While Ford's pioneering production systems arc widely known and studied, few realize that Ford's Model T could be viewed as one of the greatest platforms ever created, enabling his workers to customize this model for a variety of different markets. In this paper, we study Ford's Model T in depth and describe insights into Ford's vision and his car: how the platform was built, how it was leveraged, and how the platform was maintained dynamically and with continuous improvements to maximize learning and economies of scale. Finally, we compare Ford's approach to more current approaches to learn from his innovative product line. In some aspects this old car still runs faster than us, and we can learn valuable lessons from the past to avoid future mistakes and improve current practices.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2008 Proceedings of the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, DETC 2008
Pages59-66
Number of pages8
StatePublished - 2009
Event2008 ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, DETC 2008 - New York City, NY, United States
Duration: Aug 3 2008Aug 6 2008

Publication series

Name2008 Proceedings of the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, DETC 2008
Volume5

Other

Other2008 ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, DETC 2008
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew York City, NY
Period8/3/088/6/08

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computational Theory and Mathematics
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

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