February is filled with many automotive milestones. Below is a snapshot of key innovative achievements that took place during this month over the last 150 years.
Did you know that on Feb. 4, 1922, the Lincoln Motor Company was acquired by the Ford Motor Company for $8 million? Today that is a value of almost $110 million! The acquisition came at a time that Ford was losing market share. Henry Ford’s son, Edsel, went on to be named the president of Lincoln.
Feb. 6, 1911
Rolls-Royce introduced its iconic silver-winged hood ornament, which has become the company’s symbol. The symbol’s meaning represents the “Spirit of Ecstasy.”
Feb. 9, 1846
Wilhelm Maybach was born in Heilbronn, Germany. This industry pioneer went on to develop a new high-speed, four-stroke internal combustion engine with his mentor, Gottlieb Daimler.
Feb. 16, 1852
The opening of the H & C Studebaker blacksmith shop would eventually become the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, which joined the automobile market in 1902 by introducing an electric car.
Feb. 17, 1911
The first self-starter was installed in a production vehicle. Charles Kettering created the self-starter to eliminate the need to crank cars manually. The technology is still in place today as the self-starter creates and sustains energy by utilizing electricity to start a vehicle.
Feb. 17, 1972
Sales of the Volkswagen Beetle overtook the Ford Model T. Over 16 million Beetles were produced by 1973 and over 20 million by the early 1990’s.
Feb. 18, 1898
Enzo Ferrari was born in Modena, Italy. Ferrari became a racing driver and founder of the Scuderia Ferrari Grand Prix racing team and the founder of the Ferrari luxury brand.
Feb. 19, 1954
The Ford Thunderbird prototype was completed on this day. It was released to the market in the fall of this same year. Ten years later, the Mustang replaced the T-bird.
Feb. 20, 1909
Hudson Motor Company was formed to produce a car to be sold for less than $1,000. It was one of the first low-priced cars on the market and more than 4,000 sold in the first year.
Credit: Gary Stockbridge
Feb. 22, 1923
On this day, Chevy reached a rollout of one million vehicles. It all started when William Durant hired a Swiss racecar driver, Louis Chevrolet, to design a new car. Durant’s goal was to challenge the success of the Ford Model T.
Reflecting on February’s Automotive Milestones
As we reflect on the advancements chronicled throughout February’s storied past in the automotive industry, it’s evident that this month has played a pivotal role in steering the direction of automotive innovation and development. From groundbreaking vehicle introductions to significant technological breakthroughs, February has been a witness to the relentless pursuit of excellence and progress in the automotive field.
These milestones not only highlight the industry’s rich history of ingenuity but also underscore the continuous evolution of automotive technology and design. As we celebrate these achievements, we look forward to the future breakthroughs that will further transform the automotive landscape, inspired by the pioneering spirit that February’s historical milestones embody. This snapshot of key innovative achievements serves as a reminder of the past’s influence on the present and future, encouraging continued innovation and excellence in the automotive world.
