
Ford Motor Company owns a dynamic portfolio of brands, primarily consisting of its core Ford brand and the luxury Lincoln marque. Beyond these, Ford's global strategy includes significant ownership stakes and joint ventures that bolster its market presence. However, many famous brands once owned by Ford, such as Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, and Aston Martin, were sold off between 2007 and 2010 to streamline operations during the financial crisis. This divestiture strategy also included brands like Mercury, which was discontinued.
Currently, Ford’s structure is centered on three main business units: Ford Blue for internal combustion engine vehicles, Ford Model e for electric vehicles, and Ford Pro for commercial vehicles and services. While not separate companies, these units represent Ford's primary focus areas. A key part of Ford's ownership is its controlling stake in the American EV startup Rivian. Ford was an early investor, though it has since reduced its stake. Ford also has a substantial stake (approximately 10%) in Argo AI, a now-defunct autonomous vehicle technology company.
Ford's global footprint is expanded through strategic joint ventures. Most notably, its partnership with Volkswagen focuses on developing autonomous and electric vehicles. In China, a critical market, Ford operates through Changan Ford and Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), in which it holds a significant share. The following table outlines key brands and holdings in Ford's portfolio:
| Entity Name | Relationship to Ford | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | Core Brand | Active | Includes Ford Blue, Model e, and Pro divisions. |
| Lincoln | Fully Owned Subsidiary | Active | Ford's luxury vehicle division. |
| Troller | Fully Owned Subsidiary | Active | Brazilian manufacturer of off-road vehicles. |
| Rivian | Minority Stake (formerly larger) | Active | Electric vehicle manufacturer; Ford reduced its initial investment. |
| Jiangling Motors (JMC) | Significant Minority Stake (~32%) | Active | Chinese automaker; crucial for Ford's presence in Asia. |
| Ford Otosan | Joint Venture (41% stake) | Active | Turkish automotive joint venture focused on commercial vehicles. |
| Argo AI | Minority Stake (~10%) | Defunct (as of 2022) | Former autonomous vehicle development company. |
| Jaguar | Formerly Owned | Sold (2008) | Sold to Tata Motors. |
| Land Rover | Formerly Owned | Sold (2008) | Sold to Tata Motors. |
| Aston Martin | Formerly Owned | Sold (2007) | Sold to a consortium of investors. |
| Volvo Cars | Formerly Owned | Sold (2010) | Sold to Geely Automobile. |

Right now, it's basically just Ford and Lincoln. They used to own a bunch of fancy European brands like Jaguar and Volvo, but they sold them all off over a decade ago to stay afloat. So if you're thinking of a modern luxury car from Ford, Lincoln is pretty much the only game in town. They do have some investments in electric truck company Rivian, but they don't own it.

Looking at it from an investment angle, Ford's strategy has shifted from acquiring brands to forming strategic partnerships. Instead of outright ownership, they now collaborate with companies like Volkswagen on EV and self-driving tech. Their most notable financial holding was a stake in Rivian, which they've largely divested. Their current strength lies in their core brands and joint ventures in key markets like China and Turkey, which offer growth without the full risk of ownership.


