February 25th has been witness to some significant events in the history of the automobile industry. From the introduction of new models to important technological innovations, this date has seen it all. Here’s a chronological look at some of the most notable events that have occurred on February 25th over the years.
1922: The first Ford car rolls off the assembly line in Yokohama, Japan. This marked the beginning of Ford’s operations in the country and signaled the start of the global expansion of the Ford Motor Company.
1954: The first mass-produced gas turbine car, the Chrysler Ghia, is unveiled in New York. It was the first car to feature a gas turbine engine, which was seen as a potential alternative to traditional piston engines.
1972: The Volkswagen Beetle surpasses the Ford Model T as the best-selling car in history, with over 15 million units sold worldwide. The Beetle was first introduced in 1938 and remained in production until 2003.
1998: The Ford Focus is named Car of the Year in Europe, winning over the jury with its modern design and innovative features. The Focus went on to become one of Ford’s most successful models, selling over 16 million units worldwide.
2009: General Motors announces that it will phase out the Pontiac brand as part of a restructuring plan in response to the global financial crisis. Pontiac had been a popular brand for GM for over 80 years, but declining sales had made it unsustainable.
2014: Tesla Motors announces plans to build a “Gigafactory” in Nevada, with the goal of producing enough lithium-ion batteries to power 500,000 electric cars annually by 2020. The factory was seen as a major step towards making electric cars more affordable and widespread.
From the first Ford car in Japan to the Tesla Gigafactory, February 25th has seen some of the most important moments in the history of the automobile industry. It’s a day to remember the innovations and advancements that have shaped the cars we drive today.