Overview & Reviews

For more than 100 years now, Ford Motor Company has been selling mass-produced automobiles in the United States and around the globe. Known as one of the Big Three American manufacturers, Ford has attracted millions of loyal customers with a wide range of vehicles that offer considerable value. The automaker's trucks and SUVs have been especially popular. For decades, Ford's F-Series truck has been the best-selling vehicle in America.

The company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903. Ford dreamed of building a car for the masses, and that's precisely what he did, most notably with the immortal Model T of 1908-'27. The latter was bought by 16.5 million Americans during its 20-year lifespan and was affordable enough for Ford's own factory workers to purchase. Ford's early years were also distinguished by its introduction of the moving assembly line. It was the first to utilize this more cost-effective method of production, and its innovation became a mainstay of the manufacturing process.

Ford expanded into the luxury-car market with its purchase of Lincoln Motor Company in 1925. Over the next few years, the company broadened its focus even further by creating the Mercury division to produce mid-priced cars. By the late '30s, Ford had unveiled the stylish Lincoln Zephyr, introduced a low-priced V8 engine and built more than 25 million vehicles.

The 1950s saw the introduction of the legendary Thunderbird. Offering sleek styling and spirited performance wedded to available luxury features like power windows and a signal-seeking radio, the car was a huge hit. Another model of that decade, the Edsel, met with a somewhat less enthusiastic reception. In the wake of abysmal sales, the Edsel was discontinued just a few months into its third model year.

Ford regained its footing in the early 1960s with the introduction of the compact Falcon, a model that was warmly received by the public. By the middle of the decade the automaker had given enthusiasts something to cheer about with the launch of the sporty Mustang, a car that went on to become one of the biggest sellers of its day. Buyers adored the Mustang's low price, available powerful V8 engines and sporty styling. The Mustang even created a brand-new vehicle category: the pony car.

By the 1970s, Ford, like other domestic automakers, was starting to suffer the effects of changing consumer tastes and new government regulations. Many of its cars became shadows of their former selves. But the seeds of rebirth were planted in this decade. In 1979, the company acquired a stake in Mazda; this move would later aid Ford significantly in co-development projects. The company also emerged with a new mindset of global competitiveness.

By the mid-to-late '80s, Ford was showing new strength with its popular Escort and Taurus models while further expanding its empire with the purchase of the Aston Martin and Jaguar brands. Meanwhile, its full-size LTD sedan (later renamed the Crown Victoria) remained a staple of taxi companies and police forces throughout America.

Ford rode a wave of popularity in the 1990s, thanks in part to the huge success of its Explorer midsize SUV. The truck played a huge role in ushering in the era of the SUV. In 1999, Ford expanded its family yet again with the purchase of Volvo's car division, and, in 2000, it acquired Land Rover. For awhile, there was talk of Ford even taking General Motors' spot as the No. 1 automaker in the world.

But the new millennium initially saw a downturn for Ford. Increased competition, a continuing operating loss for Jaguar, legacy costs and a reliance on SUVs for profit took their toll. To compensate, the company sold Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo and introduced a wave of successful new products. Models like the F-150, Fusion, Fiesta, Focus, Flex and Mustang have allowed Ford to regain its health and standing as a very competitive manufacturer.

User Reviews:

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  Best truck you can buy - 2008 Ford F-150
  By truck - April 20 - 9:16 pm

  I have tested all the trucks on the market even for au ugly Titan and ugly Tundra. GMC truck is overall good, however, I dont like its small mirror. Dodge 4.7L engine has less gas mileage. HEMI engine has more power. Tundra is interesting. It labels 381 hp. However, its real world hp is simmilar to the 4.6L Ford I am buying. Toyota cheats new buyers that way. I am atruck person who only care real world hp, not hp on the paper. I also care smooth ride that only Ford can give. I care tough frame also.

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  2002 Mustang 3.8 M5 - 2002 Ford Mustang
  By Paul - April 20 - 8:26 am

  Love this car. Bought it for my daughter but she cant get the 5 speed down so she doesnt like to drive it in town. So I drive it to work since its good on gas. About 30 miles on the hwy each day. Gets really light in the back end at over 100. I see why the GTs have the spoiler.

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  Ugh, the fuel! - 2006 Ford F-150
  By Hard to please - April 20 - 7:34 am

  I have owned some of the best middle class American vehicles including a Dodge van with the best motor ever, the 318! However the 2006 F-150 is the best all around vehicle this picky 6-4" body has ever driven! The only drawback is the fuel cost. Which is everybodys right now. But, 16 mpg combined driving is ridiculous in the 21st century. Buy this truck if you have a big wallet, you dont care about your "carbon footprint, or if your like me you hope that in a couple of years there will be a motor conversion so that it can run on water.

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  Love my Explorer! - 2004 Ford Explorer
  By Mandy - April 19 - 10:38 pm

  I purchased my Explorer brand new from the dealership. I was contacted for minimal recalls that did not affect the driving performance. The only problem I ever had was a problem with my back window not wanting to roll up or down. It was out of warranty so I had to pay to fix it. During the warranty period I even had my stearing wheel changed because it started to show some worn spots. I think some of the people who complain about cars dont know how to take care of them. If you change your oil and fluids regulary you shouldnt have many problems.

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  Just letting ya know - 2001 Ford Windstar
  By Italian Family of 5 - April 19 - 9:13 pm

  When we first purchased the car at 80,000 miles we were very happy with it. Weve taken it on one long drive from Colo to Calif with me with pnemonia (sp?) and it was confortable anyway. Now that weve owned it for 2 years weve only had to replace the ABS module, and brakes. Something weird is happening with the fuel getting down past 1/4 tank. It wont start as if its out of gas. We just watch the fuel gage and all seems well. Drives well and we feel really safe during snow storms. Been through a couple of blizzards and only got stuck once. Tire pressure gauge is great letting us know when to get new tires or fill up the tires with air.

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  It sure aint like my 1993 Mustang - 2006 Ford Mustang
  By Mike - April 19 - 7:17 pm

  Where do I start, I bought this car with 14,000 miles. In feb 07 a month later I had it back to the dealer for the paint coming off the bumper. Got that fixed 2 weeks later, my school books where soaking wet I left my bookbag in the trunk. I thought the top was leaking, but after 8 trips to dealer with the car being there for as many 30 days to get it back with same each time we cant find the major leak. I have come to the conculsion that it is leaking from the weld in the body. Back to body problems the Mustang stripe has come off 2 times. I finally got tired of the dealer being so blind to the problem. I called a lemon law lawyer, so now I have a pending lawsuite against Ford. For all my trouble

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  Never Again - 2006 Ford Focus
  By Theresa Bradburn - April 19 - 10:23 am

  I will never buy another one of these. We got it because my husband needed something reliable to drive to a not so good neighborhood for work. Over the last two years the brakes have just fell apart. The door handles stick like no tomorrow, and the fuel mileage is awful. It was also at ford for three days with some started problem that we never did figure out for sure. Just that after six changed parts it quit doing it. So like I said never again.

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  money trap - 1995 Ford Taurus
  By deryk - April 19 - 7:21 am

  I bought this car a year ago it had 120,000 miles on it since I got it Ive had to replace all the struts all the brakes, rear main seal, radiator thermostat, water pump, a/c hose assym, power steering pump, and brake pedal switch. And the trans is starting to slip obscenely. Ive put more into the car then I paid for it which was 700 dollars. I got it from an old lady who was the original owner and had it maintained by dealership. All in all this car sucks and I wish I had the money to get a truck.

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  New in 2009 - 2008 Ford Taurus X
  By ww6stl - April 19 - 12:32 am

  My wife & I got this new in 2009 as we have 4 kids to transport, at the time from 16 down to 6 and sports from soccer to cheerleading. As of August 2012 it has 125000 miles. If I were on a budget, this is not a car to rack up miles. The radio has never worked properly and was replaced by dealer 2 times; the transmission was replaced at our cost for $3.8K 2 months ago (I have since learned the tranny is an issue on these vehicles); the power steering is on its way out and if I do everything myself it will be another $500 and if I dont $1000. I am on 3rd set of tires (average quality from Sams) on 3rd set of brakes. Mileage on highway between 22.2 and 24.1 even now.

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  Fun car - 1994 Ford Escort
  By eric - April 18 - 10:06 pm

  Love this little car. Wish I still had it. Hit a deer. Still driveable but looked like crap. Bought the car in 1999 with 54,000 miles and drove it till 170,000 mile when I got rid of it. Best car I ever had. Fast little thing also. Only Grand Am or Grand Prix I could find that could keep up was the one with the supercharged motor. All the others fell behind. The only problem I had was brakes, ball joints, cluch, rear bearings. All replaced once. Lost third gear in trans, never did get it fixed. I just went from second to fourth. I would tell anyone to get the GT. Do not get the auto, go form the manual