Matford
Matford was a French automobile manufacturer created in 1934 as a joint venture between Mathis and Ford.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Matford was a short-lived French automobile manufacturer formed by Mathis S.A. and the Ford Motor Company in 1934. Its name combined the first parts of the two partners' names. The venture brought together Mathis's large but underused Strasbourg factory and Ford's expanding European manufacturing ambitions. Mathis was experiencing financial difficulties, while Ford was looking for a more suitable European production base than its existing workshop at Asnières-sur-Seine. The Strasbourg site, located in France after the post-First World War border arrangements, offered Ford additional industrial capacity and a strategic location for serving the French market. Matford S.A. was formally established on 1 October 1934, with Ford holding 60 percent and Mathis 40 percent. Although the original plan contemplated producing Mathis and Ford vehicles alongside one another, the final Mathis automobile was reportedly built in October 1934, leaving Matford as the principal successor operation at the plant. Maurice Dollfus, who had joined Ford in 1930, played an important managerial role during the venture's early development. In 1935, Ford committed substantial capital to modernize the Strasbourg factory, reflecting the partners' expectation that the collaboration could become a long-term industrial enterprise. The first Matford vehicles were locally assembled versions of contemporary Ford models from the United States and Britain. In 1935, the company introduced a range of V8-powered cars closely related to the American Ford Model 48. These vehicles used a 3,622 cc V8 engine and adapted Ford's design and mechanical approach for the French market. A more distinctly French offering followed in 1936 with the Matford Alsace, available with either a 2,225 cc or 3,622 cc V8 engine. The Alsace range included a cabriolet variant. For 1937, Matford's principal passenger cars were commonly identified as the Matford 13CV and Matford 21CV. These names reflected French fiscal-horsepower classifications rather than simple engine displacement. Both models used a V-shaped windshield, a styling feature associated with the period's Ford-derived design language. In 1938, Matford expanded its range with a United States-influenced estate car featuring a timber-bodied construction. Steel bodies for Matford passenger cars were supplied by the Chausson coachbuilding company rather than manufactured entirely within the Strasbourg facility. Matford also became involved in commercial and military vehicle production. As the international situation deteriorated, orders for trucks for the French Army increased. Passenger-car production ended in 1940 as the factory's output shifted toward military-related requirements. Some vehicles may have continued to be produced during the German occupation, at least until 1942, although the available account does not establish the precise volume or model mix. The factory's location near the German border contributed to the disruption: its contents were transferred to Ford's Cologne plant, while Ford opened a new facility at Poissy near Paris in 1940. The partnership with Mathis was severed during Ford's reorganization of its French operations in 1940. Ford's French business became Ford Société Anonyme Française and operated under the Ford trademark rather than continuing the Matford identity. Émile Mathis left for the United States during the occupation because he feared persecution under German rule. Matford consequently ceased to exist as an independent marque. Its surviving historical importance lies in its role as a bridge between Mathis's French manufacturing base and Ford's European strategy, as well as in its V8 cars, French-market body styles, and brief prewar presence in motorsport.
History
Matford emerged from the intersection of Mathis's financial difficulties and Ford's efforts to expand European manufacturing. Mathis S.A. possessed a substantial factory in Strasbourg, but the plant was not being used to its full potential. Ford, meanwhile, was increasing its European production and considered the Strasbourg facility more suitable for expansion than its existing workshop at Asnières-sur-Seine. The political status of Strasbourg had changed after the First World War, and by the time of the venture it was located in France, making the factory useful for Ford's French-market strategy. The two companies created Matford S.A. on 1 October 1934. Ownership was divided 60 percent to Ford and 40 percent to Mathis. The company name was formed from the names of its two partners. The initial industrial concept was broader than a simple Ford assembly operation: the partners had intended to produce Matford vehicles alongside Mathis models. In practice, the last Mathis automobile was built in October 1934, the same month in which the Matford company was formally established. Maurice Dollfus, who had joined Ford in 1930, was associated with the early direction of the enterprise. During 1935, Ford invested heavily in modernizing the Strasbourg plant. The scale of this investment reflected contemporary confidence in the partnership; the collaboration was reportedly expected to continue for decades. Matford's first cars were locally assembled versions of current Ford models from American and British programs, adapted for production and sale in France. The marque's most recognizable prewar products were its V8 passenger cars. A range introduced in 1935 was closely related to the American Ford Model 48 and used a 3,622 cc V8 engine. In 1936, Matford introduced the Alsace, a French-market model offered with either a 2,225 cc or 3,622 cc V8. The range included a cabriolet, giving Matford a more varied passenger-car portfolio than a single sedan line. The 1937 models were generally identified as the Matford 13CV and Matford 21CV. These designations followed French fiscal-horsepower conventions and therefore communicated the vehicles' tax classifications rather than directly stating displacement. Both cars featured a V-shaped windshield. In 1938, Matford added an estate car with a timber body influenced by American styling and construction practices. Chausson supplied the steel bodies used for Matford passenger cars, so the Strasbourg plant was not responsible for every stage of body manufacture. Matford's activities extended beyond private cars. As France moved toward war, the company received increasing truck orders for the French Army. Passenger-car production ended in 1940 as resources and production priorities shifted. The historical record indicates that an unknown number of vehicles may have been made during the German occupation, at least through 1942, but does not provide a reliable production total. Wartime geography and industrial reorganization ended the venture. Because Strasbourg was close to the German border, the contents of the Matford plant were transferred to Ford's Cologne facility after the occupation. Ford also opened a new plant at Poissy near Paris in 1940. In the same period, Ford's French business was reorganized as Ford Société Anonyme Française, which used the Ford trademark. Ford's relationship with Mathis was terminated, and Matford disappeared as a continuing marque. Émile Mathis left for the United States during the war, reportedly because he feared persecution under German occupation. Despite its brief existence, Matford is significant in French automotive history. It represented a major international manufacturer's attempt to use an established French factory, and it produced a distinctive group of Ford-derived V8 vehicles under a local brand. Its cars also reflected the transition from interwar private-car production to wartime industrial mobilization. Matford achieved sporting recognition in the Coupe de Dames in 1936 and at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1938, adding a limited competition dimension to its commercial history.
- 1940
Passenger-car production ends
[1]Rising French Army truck orders and wartime conditions bring regular passenger-car production to an end.
- 1940
Ford reorganizes its French business
[1]Ford separates from Mathis and continues its French operations as Ford Société Anonyme Française, ending the Matford marque.
- 1938
Estate car added to the range
[1]Matford adds an American-influenced, timber-bodied estate car.
- 1938
Monte Carlo sporting achievement
[1]Matford cars achieve recognition at Monte Carlo.
- 1937
13CV and 21CV models appear
[1]Matford's principal passenger cars are marketed under the 13CV and 21CV fiscal-horsepower designations.
- 1936
Matford Alsace introduced
[1]The Alsace enters the French market with two V8 engine choices and a cabriolet variant.
- 1936
Motorsport success at the Coupe de Dames
[1]Matford cars achieve success in the Coupe de Dames.
- 1935
Strasbourg factory modernization begins
[1]Ford provides substantial capital for modernization of the Matford facility, while the company introduces Ford-related V8 automobiles.
- 1934
Matford S.A. is established
[1]Mathis S.A. and Ford Motor Company formally create Matford S.A. in Strasbourg, with ownership divided 60:40 in Ford's favor.
- 1934
Mathis production ends at the Strasbourg plant
[1]Although the partners had contemplated parallel Mathis and Matford production, the last Mathis automobile is built in October.
Products and positioning
A French-market, Ford-related automobile marque combining American-derived V8 engineering with local production, French fiscal classifications, and European body styles.
Passenger car · 1935
Matford V8 range
Introduced in 1935, Matford's early V8 cars were locally produced vehicles closely related to contemporary American Ford Model 48 automobiles. They used a 3,622 cc V8 engine and represented the core of the company's Ford-derived passenger-car strategy for France. The cars combined Ford mechanical and styling influences with local manufacture and body production arrangements.
Passenger car · 1936
Matford Alsace
The Alsace was introduced in 1936 as a more specifically French-market Matford model. It was offered with either a 2,225 cc or 3,622 cc V8 engine and was also available as a cabriolet. The model expressed Matford's attempt to adapt Ford-derived engineering and styling to French market expectations.
Passenger car · 1937
Matford 13CV
The 13CV was one of Matford's principal 1937 passenger-car models. Its name followed the French fiscal-horsepower system, and the car shared the period's V-shaped windshield design with the 21CV. It belonged to the company's V8-powered range and was marketed before passenger-car production gave way to wartime priorities.
Passenger car · 1937
Matford 21CV
The 21CV was the larger fiscal-horsepower designation in Matford's 1937 passenger-car range. Like the 13CV, it used a V-shaped windshield and formed part of the company's Ford-related V8 offering. The designation described French tax classification rather than serving as a direct statement of engine displacement.
Estate car · 1938
Matford estate car
Added in 1938, the Matford estate car used a timber-bodied construction influenced by American-style station wagons. It broadened the marque's range beyond conventional passenger-car body styles. The model appeared shortly before wartime conditions brought Matford's regular civilian production to an end.
Commercial vehicle
Matford trucks
Matford also produced or handled truck output, with orders for the French Army increasing as war approached. These military-related requirements became important enough that passenger-car production ended in 1940. The available reference does not specify the complete truck range or production volumes.
Brand decisions
1940
Prioritize military truck productionStrategyBackground
Wartime conditions increased demand for trucks for the French Army while civilian passenger-car production became less viable.
Action taken
Matford ended volume passenger-car production and shifted attention toward truck orders.
Aftermath
The Strasbourg operation was affected by occupation and relocation, and Matford subsequently disappeared as Ford reorganized its French business.
1940
Replace the Matford identity with Ford Société Anonyme FrançaiseStrategyBackground
Ford's relationship with Mathis was severed during the wartime restructuring of its French operations.
Action taken
Ford reorganized its French business under the name Ford Société Anonyme Française and used the Ford trademark.
Aftermath
Matford ceased to exist as an operating marque.
1935
Invest in Strasbourg factory modernizationStrategyBackground
Ford sought to expand output in Europe and regarded the Strasbourg plant as more suitable for development than its existing Asnières-sur-Seine workshop.
Action taken
Ford supplied substantial capital to modernize the Matford factory.
Aftermath
The plant supported production of Ford-derived V8 passenger cars and later commercial vehicles, although the partnership was disrupted by war within several years.
1934
Create a Ford–Mathis manufacturing joint ventureM&ABackground
Mathis had financial problems and an underused Strasbourg factory, while Ford wanted greater European production capacity and a stronger French industrial base.
Action taken
The partners established Matford S.A. with Ford holding 60 percent and Mathis holding 40 percent.
Aftermath
The venture became the operating identity at Strasbourg, and the last Mathis automobile was built during the month of Matford's formation.
Sources1 sources
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