Ford Motor Company Limited is part of one of the world's truly global corporations and the world's third largest automaker, with employees in 200 markets in six continents. Its automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo.

The UK market leader for 28 consecutive years in an increasingly competitive new car market, Ford Motor Company employs around 14,200 people at 10 locations in Britain. One of these locations is the Southampton Assembly Plant in Swaythling - responsible for the assembly of Ford's iconic Transit, and Britain's best-selling commercial vehicle for over 40 years.

Opened in 1953, the Ford Southampton Plant - recognized as the 'Home of the Transit' - covers 52 acres, employing around 1200 people and producing in excess of 70,000 Transits a year. Over 5 million Transits have been produced since 1965. Around 50 per cent of the plant's output is exported.