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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  Decidedly unimpressed - 2015 Ford Mustang
  By psgm - December 5 - 5:07 am

  So far had mustang for a week. Just cannot for the life of see what the hype is about! Sure it stands out in the car park but is that it? I expect performance - what I get is hardly better than any other car on the road! Fuel economy is a joke! - so heaven help u if the price of gas increases! Getting in and out is fine - if you are under 5ft tall otherwise you need to be a acrobat in the hardtop! doorway is tiny! and forget about using the back seats for people Im getting 20 mpg - in europe I would expect as a MINIMUM - 30-40 MPG. Basically if you want a striking looking car on your drive fine - but if you want something you can USE on a daily basis - forget it! AVOID!!!!!1!

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  More Dual Clutch Transmission Problems - 2012 Ford Focus
  By thomasln - November 20 - 8:53 am

  An update to my previous post. The TCM ground fault is clearly not the problem as the car continues to slip out of gear. I took it back to the dealer, they kept it for 6 days, then called to say that it "needs a new transmission" that will cost over $5200. Others have posted that they have paid for a new transmission only to have the same problem. Do not buy one of these cars for any reason. I am now stuck with a car that moves only when it wants to, that I cant allow my kids to drive, that my wife refuses to drive, and that I cannot sell because my conscience wont allow it.

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  Just OK as an SUV - 2013 Ford Explorer
  By mauwii - November 15 - 5:35 pm

  Moved from a Chevrolet Traverse to the new Explorer and quickly found it was not a good move. The car is just OK, the performance has far too much lag in it, acceleration is deceiving, the boot is awkward, the seats are difficult to fold down. The doors are flimsy and really light. The running lights are a pain in that they dont come on when you want them to. The electronics are slow to kick-in, slow to do what you want them to do. The controls are far too small on the steering wheel, if you are a man they are painful to use. The doors dont unlock when you exit, so you have to go inside to unlock the vehicle. The fuel tank is too small and the average mile/gallon just not good enough.

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  Worst Ford I have Owned. - 2004 Ford F-150
  By bestbrewmaster - October 28 - 11:54 am

  At 45000 I needed a Rear Diff. under warranty and at 75000 I needed a new Rear Diff again. 4x4 has not worked since 70000 miles and they dont even know what it is and have not been able to fix it they think it electrical. Transmission slips all the time since around 35000 miles and they say that is normal. I currently have 98000 miles on it and I now have a P00012a error (cam shaft timing) and apparently now I need a new engine. I would never buy one of these as they are Not Ford Tough...

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  Lemon - 2013 Ford Focus
  By lostgenerati - October 25 - 10:19 am

  2013 Ford Focus 22500 miles. What a piece of .... Three motors.Unsolved Transmissions problems, Dead battery, 2 months in the service bay. 1:30 am tow was priceless. The great thing is the 2014 and 2015 are having the same problems..So if you buy one here is your new routine. 1 buy car,2 Be told there is nothing wrong with the transmission. When you need to get out and rock it to back up.surges while driving .. Its your imagination. 3 Drive to service bay and wait for days 4 break down, get towed, and end up selling for less than you brought it for.Or just buy a Toyota and save your self so much aggravation.

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  Worst car ever - 2014 Ford Focus
  By hatemyford - October 18 - 1:51 pm

  I have the Ford Focus SE. I bought it with an automatic transmission that I paid $1300 for. 6 months later I find out it has a manual transmission with 2 electric clutches that no longer work. In 1 year the transmission, clutch, alternator, steering and interior have been repaired. My "automatic" transmission performs so poorly that I feel unsafe in the car. Do not buy this car. Once you own it, no one can fix it. It also depreciated 70% the first year. When it was 9 months old I was offered $7500 to trade it in. I paid 23K

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  Worst car ever - 2014 Ford Focus
  By edward124 - October 16 - 9:32 pm

  Check out my Facebook page "Ford Focus Ford Fucos" This car is the worst Ive ever owned. The transmission is a joke, the interior melted, the alternator and steering had to be replaced the first year.

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  2011 F 150 4wd ecoboost experience.... - 2011 Ford F-150
  By jpope02 - October 7 - 12:41 am

  When its well its great! Purchased NEW, Doors clunk on rough road surfaces. Been adjusted at dealership 4 different times. Doors still clunking. Ford has NO solution and will not admit to the problem....numerious calls to Ford customer relations been stonewalled! They cant fix this in warantee but say NOW it can be fixed out of warantee if I pay for it! This is @%x#!!!. Timing chain "Death Rattle"... Ford say this wont hurt a thing till it breaks or jumps time and and destroys motor Ford ignored this in warantee but says its a $2800 problem for me now its out of warantee...Comfortable,fun truck to drive!! Oh, poor millage.. dont believe Fords 22mph claim, it more like 12 mpg!

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  THINK before you buy a Fusion - 2014 Ford Fusion
  By captain77450 - October 6 - 9:44 pm

  The plastic rear end has horrible quality. There are 3 or more defects in the surface around the rear license plate on all of these. The rear doors, the front and rear bumpers and the rear tail lights do not line up well. The front door interior arm rest extends into the A-frame and thus sticks you in the rear end every time you enter the car. Mine has < 1500 miles and has left me stranded TWICE, with a dead battery. When the battery is dead you cannot unlock your car or get into the trunk without breaking the front drivers door handle to expose the keylock. Even then you cannot open any other doors or the trunk. You cannot move it because it will not come out of park....thanks Ford.

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  Unhappy with purchase - 2014 Ford Escape
  By unhappyone2 - October 6 - 3:08 pm

  Purchased new 2014 Escape 2 months ago (3100 miles now). Have had to take for service several times. A clear lemon with numerous issues: poor gas mileage (best 21 MPG – advertised 22mpg city, 30mpg highway), Continual AC problems freezing up and now intermittent (dealer says Ford knows of problem with no fix yet), intermittent chemical smell, grinding steering column (dealer says others do same), Slipping transmission bang (dealer cant duplicate), wiper squeaks and jumps (4 service visits no fix), sticking seat belt replaced, radio screen wont reset (dealer says same on others). Weve requested a buyback and are waiting.