* Mass Production Techniques: Henry Ford's revolutionary assembly line drastically reduced production time and costs. Instead of workers assembling entire cars, each worker performed a single, repetitive task on a moving chassis. This specialization increased efficiency exponentially.
* Standardization: The Model T was designed with interchangeable parts. This meant that broken or worn parts could be easily replaced, simplifying repairs and reducing downtime. It also streamlined manufacturing because fewer different components needed to be made.
* Vertical Integration: Ford controlled much of his supply chain, from mining the raw materials to producing the finished vehicle. This minimized reliance on external suppliers and allowed for better cost control.
* Economies of Scale: As production ramped up, the cost per unit decreased significantly. The higher the volume, the lower the cost of each individual car.
* Simplified Design: The Model T was deliberately designed to be simple and robust. While lacking many features of more luxurious cars, its basic design minimized manufacturing complexity and expense.
* Lower Labor Costs: While Ford eventually increased worker wages, early Model T production relied on relatively inexpensive labor.
In essence, Ford's genius wasn't just in inventing a new car, but in creating a system of manufacturing that could produce that car affordably and in unprecedented quantities. This combination of technological innovation and efficient business practices made the Model T accessible to a far wider segment of the population than ever before.
