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Why did Ford initially make only limited variations of the Model T?
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mass production
An assembly line at a Ford factory in Wayne, Michigan, 2011.
Henry Ford initially limited variations of the Model T to facilitate the implementation of mass production techniques, specifically the moving assembly line.1
By restricting the design to a single, standardized model, Ford was able to utilize a conveyor system and assign workers to single, repetitive tasks, which required precise planning and synchronization. This standardization was essential for achieving high-volume output and significantly reducing unit costs. The trade-off for this lack of variety was a dramatic decrease in the price of the vehicle, making the automobile affordable for the general public.12