Research

Pepsi Co.

Description

PepsiAmericas holds more than a bubbling interest in the Pepsi Generation. The world's #2 Pepsi bottler (behind Pepsi Bottling Group) distributes all the familiar Pepsi brands, along with Lipton Iced Teas, Dr Pepper, 7UP, and Crush from the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Starbucks Frappuccino, and Aquafina bottled water. PepsiAmericas operates in 19 US states (mostly in the Midwest) and holds nearly 20% of the US market for Pepsi products. It also distributes drinks in nearly a dozen European countries and in several Caribbean nations. In 2009 PepsiAmericas, along with The Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG), agreed to be acquired by PepsiCo.

Ford

Description

Ford Motor began a manufacturing revolution with its mass production assembly lines in the early 20th century. The company is now firmly entrenched in the status quo as one of the world's largest makers of cars and trucks. Its vehicle brands include Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury. Among its biggest successes are the redesigned Ford Mustang and the F-Series pickup. Ford owns a small stake in Mazda and also controls the Volvo nameplate (which is on the auction block). Finance subsidiary Ford Motor Credit is one of the US's leading auto finance companies. Ford Motor gets more than half of its sales outside North America.