DALLAS, Jun 14, 2003 / FW/ -- The company that put the world on wheels is turning 100, and more than 100,000 are expected to show for the celebrations. Ford Motor Company will mark a century of leadership and progress Thursday through Monday, June 12-16 at the Henry Ford II World Center in Dearborn.

Some of the honored guests include customers, employees, retirees, investors, dealers, automotive enthusiasts and even history buffs.

Some of the revolutionary legacies of company founder Henry Ford include the widespread use of the moving assembly line, the introduction of the $5 per day wage that helped create the working middle class in the United States, and the creation of the Model T.

Other popular models that put Ford's mark on the world's automotive landscape include the Model A, Lincoln Continental, F-Series, Mustang, Thunderbird, Falcon, Capri, Taurus and Explorer.

Ford innovations also delve outside of the auto industry. Ford Motor Company was a pioneer in commercial aviation. That history is recounted in a "Countdown to Kitty Hawk" display commemorating another Centennial this year-the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' historic first flight.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is the world's second-largest automaker with approximately 350,000 employees, and operations in more than 200 markets on six continents. Its automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo.

Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Hertz and Quality Care. The company's world headquarters is in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford Motor Company will officially observe its 100th anniversary June 16, 2003.