Step-by-step explanation:
Ford has manufacturing facilities in over 30 countries around the world. Therefore, it is likely that there are multiple countries involved in Ford's global manufacturing supply chain.
b) Forty years ago would be 1983, and at that time, Ford had a significant presence in North America, Europe, and Asia. However, its manufacturing supply chain was likely not as globalized as it is today, so it is possible that the number of countries involved in Ford's manufacturing supply chain would have been smaller. Over the past few decades, advancements in transportation and communication technology have made it easier and more cost-effective to coordinate manufacturing activities across different regions, leading to the globalization of supply chains.