When did Ford start using metric?
Ford began using metric units in the late 1960s as part of a broader push toward global standardization. By the early 1980s, metric measurements were standard across most of Ford's international product programs and parts supply chains.
Context and motivation
With markets around the world aligned to metric guidelines, Ford recognized that engineering, manufacturing, and sourcing would be more efficient if a single measurement system could be used across programs. While domestic U.S. models often continued to reference inches for many consumer-facing specs, export and international operations increasingly relied on metric units to reduce conversion error and align with supplier and regulatory expectations.
Timeline of Ford's metrication
The following milestones illustrate the gradual transition toward metric measurements across Ford's product development, manufacturing, and supplier networks.
- Late 1960s: Pilot projects in engineering and tooling begin adopting metric units for new programs aimed at international markets.
- 1970s: Expansion of metric standards to more components, drawings, and supplier specifications, particularly for export models and platforms used abroad.
- Early 1980s: Metric becomes the default for most new vehicle programs intended for global distribution, with continued conversion of tooling and documentation.
- Throughout the 1980s and beyond: Ongoing conversion of catalogs, repair manuals, and manufacturing processes to metric where feasible.
In practice, Ford's metrication was a gradual, market-driven shift rather than a sudden policy change. The pace varied by region, model line, and supplier readiness, but the overarching trend favored metric units in international operations.
Impact on customers and suppliers
For customers
For most consumers in the United States, metric adoption did not alter daily experiences dramatically; engine sizes and performance remained familiar, but technical documentation, service references, and parts catalogs increasingly used metric measurements for international models and servicing abroad.
For suppliers and manufacturing
Suppliers faced redesigns to align with metric standards, including thread sizes, fastener diameters, and dimensioning conventions. The objective was smoother cross-border sourcing and reliability for exported vehicles.
Summary
Ford's move to metric units began in the late 1960s and progressed through the 1970s into the early 1980s, aligning its product development and manufacturing with global standards. The shift supported Ford's international operations and helped reduce complexities in supplier relationships and international sales. The change was gradual rather than abrupt, reflecting broader industry trends and policy context around metrication in the United States.
