Ford Motor Company. International Division. Purchasing Office.

Starting in the late 1940s, Henry Ford II initiated a thorough study of Ford Motor Company's overseas operations with an eye toward modernization and greater control of its complex foreign interests. The late 1950s and early 1960s saw further inspection and analysis, along with growing cash infusions, product development, and plant expansions within Ford's worldwide operations. The International Division Purchasing Office (which underwent numerous changes in name, function, and structure during this period) was involved throughout from high-level planning to such specifics as materials acquisition and shipping with an emphasis on the latter. The Cardinal automobile, a front-wheel drive car (the first ever built by Ford) planned for joint production by Germany and the United States, was intended to replace the popular German Ford Taunus12M and compete with Volkswagen and Renault in the small car market in both Europe and America. Despite an extensive and detailed development phase from 1959 to 1961, plans for the release of the Cardinal in the U.S. market were abandoned in 1962. The Cardinal was sold as the new Taunus 12M in the German market only.

From the description of International Division Purchasing Office records, 1947-1962 (bulk 1960-1961). (The Henry Ford). WorldCat record id: 182554081