Is Ford still owned by the Ford family?
The Ford Motor Company remains under the influence of the Ford family, but not through outright majority ownership. The family keeps control via a dual-class voting structure that concentrates voting power in Class B shares held mainly by the family, while public investors own the majority of the equity through Class A shares.
In practical terms, this arrangement means the Ford family continues to influence major strategic decisions and board leadership, even as Ford operates as a large, publicly traded company with a broad investor base. The structure has endured for decades and, as of 2024–2025, remains in place with no public moves to unwind it.
How ownership works
The company uses a two-class stock system that gives the family’s voting shares outsized influence. Public investors own the publicly traded stock, but the family controls the company’s direction through higher-vote shares.
- Class A common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker F) and carries one vote per share.
- Class B common stock, held primarily by the Ford family and related entities, carries far more votes per share than Class A, enabling outsized influence on board approvals and major decisions.
- Class B shares are not publicly traded and are kept within the family and related entities to safeguard control over governance.
- As a result, the Ford family continues to steer strategy and key corporate actions despite the public flotilla of Class A stock owned by outside investors.
The governance arrangement thus blends broad public ownership with enduring family oversight, which has shaped Ford’s long-term approach to growth and risk management.
Governance implications
The voting-power advantage means that the family can influence the board composition, executive appointments and major strategic moves, even if their equity stake is comparatively small.
- The chairman and several board members historically have been from the Ford family or closely aligned with the family’s interests, reinforcing control over strategic direction.
- Independent directors are still part of the board, but their ability to override family-driven decisions is limited by voting power dynamics.
- Public shareholders receive the economic benefits of ownership through dividends and stock appreciation, but their governance influence is mediated by the voting structure.
In practice, the dual-class system aims to balance access to capital with long-term stewardship, though it remains a topic of debate among some investors about governance balance and accountability.
Recent developments
As of 2024–2025, Ford has not announced a move to repeal or substantially alter its dual-class structure. The company continues to operate as a publicly traded firm under a governance model that preserves family control while expanding public ownership.
What this means for consumers and investors
The family’s continued control provides stability for long-term planning and brand strategy, but it also means decisions at Ford are not solely dictated by short-term market pressures. Public investors can benefit from Ford’s scale and global footprint, while acknowledging the enduring family governance layer.
- Investors should assess the risk and potential return within the context of the dual-class structure, including the possibility that the family’s priorities may diverge from near-term market expectations.
- For consumers, the governance setup is unlikely to affect day-to-day product decisions in the near term, but it can influence strategic shifts such as electrification, product lineup, and capital allocation.
Overall, Ford remains publicly traded and widely owned, with the Ford family retaining a controlling voice in the company’s strategic direction.
Summary
Ford Motor Company is still effectively controlled by the Ford family through a dual-class share structure that gives them disproportionate voting power. The public owns most of the equity through Class A stock, but the family’s Class B shares (not publicly traded) enable sustained governance influence, ensuring the family’s continued role in steering Ford’s long-term strategy. No public changes to this arrangement have been announced as of 2024–2025.
Is the Ford Bloodline still alive?
Yes, the Ford family is still alive, with descendants like William Clay Ford Jr. still active in the company, but the direct grandchildren of Henry Ford have all passed away. While the original founder's grandchildren have died, his great-grandchildren, such as William Clay Ford Jr., continue to control a significant portion of the company's voting power through a special class of stock.
- Direct descendants: Henry Ford's only son, Edsel, had four children, all of whom have passed away. William Clay Ford Sr., the last surviving grandchild, died in 2014.
- Current leadership: William Clay Ford Jr., Henry Ford's great-grandson, is the executive chairman of the Ford Motor Company, holding significant control through the family's special Class B stock.
- Other family members: Many other family members, including William Clay Ford Jr.'s siblings and cousins, are involved in the family's business and philanthropic endeavors, such as the Detroit Lions and the Ford Foundation.
How much does the Ford Family still own Ford?
The Ford family controls Ford Motor Company through a dual-class stock structure, owning approximately 2% of the company's equity but holding 40% of the voting power. This is achieved because the family holds all of the company's Class B stock, which has superior voting rights compared to the publicly traded Class A shares.
- Voting Power: The family's Class B shares give them control over 40% of the board of directors, ensuring their influence over the company's direction.
- Equity Ownership: Despite the voting control, the Ford family's stake in the company's total equity is small, around 2%.
- Stock Structure: The dual-class system was established when the company went public in 1956 to allow the family to maintain control even as ownership was dispersed among public shareholders.
- Individual Ownership: The largest individual shareholder is William Clay Ford Jr., the great-grandson of Henry Ford, who holds both common and Class B shares.
Do any of the Ford families still own Ford?
Yes, members of the Ford family still control Ford Motor Company, not through majority ownership, but through a special class of stock that gives them 40% of the voting power. While they own less than 2% of the company's equity, this dual-class stock structure, established in 1956, ensures their control. William Clay Ford Jr., the great-grandson of founder Henry Ford, is the executive chairman.
- Control through voting power: The Ford family controls 40% of the voting power through Class B shares, even though these shares represent a small fraction of the total stock.
- Dual-class stock structure: The company has two classes of stock: common stock, owned by the public, and Class B stock, owned by the Ford family. The Class B shares have super-voting rights.
- Current leadership: William Clay Ford Jr. is the Executive Chairman and is a direct descendant of founder Henry Ford. Other family members also hold executive positions or serve on the board of directors.
Who currently owns Ford?
Ford is mainly owned by institutional investors, who own around 60% of shares. The largest shareholders in December 2023 were: The Vanguard Group (8.71%) BlackRock (7.20%)
