Can reading an article make your heart race? That depends on the story. The Ford Story began over 100 years ago. Borgman Ford opened its door to drivers in Grand Rapids more than 50 years ago. Ford and Borgman share some uncommon traits — a passion for quality, customer service, and a rich history as family businesses in Michigan. We think we make a great pair!
The best reason to buy a Ford in Grand Rapids is because Borgman Ford will not be beat on price or service — by anyone. Not online. Not in the showroom. Not in the street. When you buy at Borgman, you’ll receive our historic “red coat” service and our promise of a fair and square deal. Use the buttons on the right-hand side of this page to check out our inventory, or to contact us. Then stop by for a test drive. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak.
But there are many more reasons to buy a Ford. Our favorite is loyalty to a company that’s changed not only the shape of Michigan, but of the automotive world itself.
As Ford continues to dominate the North American market with its injection of innovative, hybrid, gas-sipping and quality-rated models, plus its rugged line of built-tough trucks, the reasons to buy a Ford keep multiplying. In addition to quality, self-reliance, and supporting local workers in Michigan, consider Ford’s groundbreaking history and it’s impact on our state. Ford forever changed the history of manufacturing. For the history buffs among us, here’s a glimpse of how that story unfolded.
Ford’s $5-a-Day Revolution
In 1913, to help meet the growing demand for the Model T, Henry Ford turned his attention to improving the manufacturing processes. The business model Ford developed—production on a grand scale, performed by well-paid workers—spread throughout the world and became the manufacturing standard for everything from vacuum sweepers to cars, and more.
Transforming the Assembly Line
The moving assembly line was perhaps Ford Motor Company’s single greatest contribution to the automotive manufacturing process. First implemented at the Highland Park plant in Michigan, the new technique allowed individual workers to stay in one place and perform the same task repeatedly on multiple vehicles that passed by them.
The moving assembly line proved tremendously efficient, helping the company to far surpass the production levels of its competitors while making its vehicles more affordable.
The $5-a-day Workday
After the success of the moving assembly line, Henry Ford had another transformative idea: in January 1914, he startled the world by announcing that Ford Motor Company would pay $5 a day to its workers. The pay increase would also be accompanied by a shorter workday (from nine to eight hours). While this rate didn’t automatically apply to every worker, it more than doubled the average autoworker’s wage.
While Henry’s primary objective was to reduce worker attrition—labor turnover from monotonous assembly line work was high—newspapers from all over the world reported the story as an extraordinary gesture of goodwill.
Thousands of Workers Flock to Detroit
After Ford’s announcement, thousands of prospective workers showed up at the Ford Motor Company employment office. People surged toward Detroit from the American South and the nations of Europe. As expected, employee turnover diminished. And, by creating an eight-hour day, Ford could run three shifts instead of two, increasing productivity.
Henry Ford had reasoned that since it was now possible to build inexpensive cars in volume, more of them could be sold if employees could afford to buy them. The $5 day helped better the lot of all American workers and contributed to the emergence of the American middle class. In the process, Henry Ford had changed manufacturing forever.