Ford SAF
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Automobiles Ford |
| Founded | 1916 |
| Founder | Percival Perry |
| Defunct | 1954 |
| Fate | Production activities divested to Simca; transitioned to vehicle importing |
| Headquarters | Poissy (later) , France |
Area served | France |
Key people | Maurice Dollfus |
| Products | Automobiles (Ford Model T, Model A, Model Y, Matford V8, Ford 13CV, Ford Vedette) |
| Parent | Ford Motor Company |
Ford France—originally known as Ford SAF (Ford Société Anonyme Française)—serves as the French branch of the American automotive giant Ford Motor Company. From 1916 until 1954, it functioned as a manufacturing entity before Ford divested its production activities to Simca. After 1954, Ford France transitioned to focusing on importing vehicles such as the British-produced Ford Anglia and the West German-built Ford Taunus.
Automobiles Ford (1916–1934)
Established in Bordeaux in 1916 by Percival Perry, who led Ford of Britain, Automobiles Ford initially assembled the Ford Model T up to 1925. Production then shifted to Asnières-sur-Seine, continuing until 1927. Between 1927 and 1931, the company manufactured Model A vehicles, followed by the production of Model Y models from 1932 through 1934. The US-built V8-powered Model B was also imported; however, its success in the French market was limited due to steep import duties.
Matford (1933–1942)
In 1934, under the leadership of Maurice Dollfus at Ford SAF, a partnership was formed with Emile Mathis’s firm, resulting in the creation of Matford SA. Ford held a 60% stake while Mathis owned 40%. The joint venture operated manufacturing facilities in Strasbourg and Asnières, both managed directly from Dearborn to bypass oversight from Percival Perry of Ford of Britain.
Conflicts emerged as Ford sought to phase out Mathis’s outdated models. By 1937, Ford initiated construction of a new factory at Poissy with plans to withdraw from Matford’s Strasbourg operations. The Poissy plant commenced operations in 1940 but was soon occupied by German forces during World War II. Initially, it produced trucks and military vehicles based on French designs before shifting to assemble German Fords destined for Cologne. Meanwhile, Matford V8 passenger car production persisted on a limited scale until at least 1942.
Ford SAF (1945–1954)
Following World War II, Ford reintroduced the smaller V8 Matford model featuring a 2,225 cc engine—marketed simply as the Ford 13CV or more formally as the Ford F-472 and later F-472A. Enhancements such as anti-roll bars and hydraulic brakes were incorporated to improve handling issues noted previously. Besides offering a four-door sedan, chassis were provided to coachbuilders who created coupé, cabriolet, and station wagon versions. The 13CV earned praise for its spacious interior, comfort, design, and performance; however, it struggled competitively due to high fuel consumption coupled with France’s post-war taxation penalizing engines exceeding two liters.
Production figures rose from 3,023 units in 1947 to 4,270 in 1948 but still fell short of fully utilizing Poissy’s manufacturing capacity. During this period, the Citroën 11CV dominated with production volumes more than triple those of Ford. Seeking improved market standing, Maurice Dollfus negotiated adaptation rights for a Dearborn prototype developed in 1941. This led to the debut of the Ford 12CV Vedette at the Paris Motor Show in October 1948, replacing the F-472A model. The Vedette lineup expanded later to include premium Vendôme and sporty Comète coupé variants—models exclusive to Ford France.
In November 1954, Ford integrated its French operations into Simca, initially retaining a minority stake of 15.2%, which was fully divested by 1958. Simca took over the Poissy factory along with the Vedette’s design featuring a 2,351 cc V8 engine; production continued under Simca branding until 1961 with substantial upgrades introduced in 1958.
The Poissy facility’s influence extended through subsequent transitions: after Simca was acquired by Chrysler during the 1960s—where it produced models such as the Chrysler 180—the site eventually became part of PSA Peugeot Citroën following Chrysler’s European exit in the late 1970s. PSA rebranded output under Talbot before discontinuing that marque in the mid-1980s. Today, Poissy remains an essential manufacturing hub for Peugeot automobiles.