Are Autolite and Motorcraft the same company?
No, Autolite and Motorcraft are not the same company. Autolite is a brand of automotive spark plugs, ignition coils, and other ignition components, while Motorcraft is a brand of automotive parts and accessories owned by the Ford Motor Company.
Explaining the Difference Between Autolite and Motorcraft
Autolite is a brand that has been around since the early 1900s and is currently owned by Fram Group, a manufacturer of automotive filters and other parts. Autolite produces a wide range of ignition components, including spark plugs, ignition coils, and ignition wires, that are used in many different makes and models of vehicles.
Motorcraft, on the other hand, is a brand that is exclusively owned and operated by the Ford Motor Company. Motorcraft produces a variety of automotive parts and accessories, including filters, batteries, and other maintenance items, that are designed specifically for Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles.
While both Autolite and Motorcraft are well-known brands in the automotive industry, they are separate and distinct companies with different ownership and product offerings. Autolite is a more general brand that can be used in a wide range of vehicles, while Motorcraft is a Ford-specific brand that is only compatible with Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles.
Key Differences Between Autolite and Motorcraft
- Ownership: Autolite is owned by Fram Group, while Motorcraft is owned by the Ford Motor Company.
- Product Offerings: Autolite produces a wide range of ignition components, while Motorcraft produces a variety of automotive parts and accessories specifically for Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles.
- Compatibility: Autolite products are compatible with many different makes and models of vehicles, while Motorcraft products are only compatible with Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles.
In summary, while both Autolite and Motorcraft are well-known brands in the automotive industry, they are separate and distinct companies with different ownership, product offerings, and compatibility with different makes and models of vehicles.
Is Autolite the same as Motorcraft?
At that point, Ford replaced the Autolite brand with the Motorcraft name worldwide for its original factory equipment, which is still in use by Ford to this day. In 1963, what remained of the Electric Autolite company merged with the Mergenthaler Linotype Company, and the Eltra Corporation was formed.
What company owns Autolite?
Autolite is a brand owned by First Brands Group, which is a global automotive parts company that also owns brands like FRAM, TRICO, and Raybestos. In September 2025, First Brands Group filed for bankruptcy, though it still owns and markets the Autolite brand.
- Current owner: First Brands Group
- Parent company: First Brands Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2025, according to The Wall Street Journal.
- Historical context: The Autolite brand has a long and complex history, including periods with Honeywell and Bendix, before being acquired by its current parent company.
Does Ford own Autolite?
No, Autolite is not a Ford brand, though the Ford Motor Company did acquire the Autolite name and a related spark plug factory in 1961. However, a federal antitrust lawsuit forced Ford to sell the Autolite assets to the Bendix Corporation in 1973. Today, the Autolite brand is owned by the FRAM Group, a subsidiary of Honeywell, and is sold to the public as an aftermarket brand.
- Ford's ownership: In 1961, Ford purchased the Autolite name and several plants, making Autolite a brand used for its factory-equipped vehicles.
- Antitrust lawsuit: Ford was forced to sell the Autolite assets due to a government antitrust lawsuit.
- Current ownership: The Autolite brand was sold to the Bendix Corporation in 1973 and has since been acquired by other companies. It is now owned by the FRAM Group.
- Ford's current brand: After the sale, Ford replaced the Autolite brand with its own Motorcraft brand for its replacement parts and original equipment.
When did Autolite become Motorcraft?
1972
History. Ford launched this auto parts division in 1972 to provide replacement parts and original equipment parts. This brand replaced Autolite as Ford's official parts brand.
