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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  Not as good as a Chrysler - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By Tsunami - September 27 - 2:00 am

  We have had this vehicle for a little over six months and it has spent six days in the shop. The uphill pull is gutlessn and there is not a lot of torque going up steep grades. The fuel economy hasnt been even close to to the posted estimates at the dealer and the overall ride isnt as smooth as a Chrysler.

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  angry at ford - 2000 Ford Focus
  By jharvick - September 25 - 10:00 am

  We have replaced the brakes 4 times. the engine has cut out on us 12 times, we were told we were "crazy" there is nothing wrong with the car. i have almost been in 4 accedents with my kids from the engine cutting out, and NOW there is a government investigation. I guess its cheaper to pay off the dead peoples families than to do the right thing and fix the cars... thank you FORD...

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  se taurus - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By big mo - September 25 - 10:00 am

  I had my taurus now for about a mouth. it rides great but for a v6 the engine is not powerful enough

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  Unload both barrels - 2006 Ford F-150
  By possum - September 23 - 10:37 pm

  The steering is too light. The rack/pinion-power assisted steering is way overboard. Its almost unsafe to a point where I only drive this truck on out of town trips when I have to go. I drive class 8 trucks about 6000 miles a week, with my wife. Neither her or I choose to drive the Ford to work. It just sits in the garage waiting to be sold when it gets about 2 yrs old, so as we wont loose money on todays market. Our main means of transportation is still my old 2000 model Sonoma 4x4 with 74000 miles on it. Our next pick-up will be another Chevy or GMC.

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  Pretty Freestyle - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By MsSmiley - September 20 - 10:04 pm

  The Freestyle is a beautiful SUV I purchased the Limited AWD, but it is not very durable. With just 38,000 everything started to break. Ive had cars with over 100,000 miles and nothing broke. The car just was not designed well, especially not for families!

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  Disappointed. - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport
  By JackAM - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Im very disappointed with my Explorer. It handles terribly, even dangerously, and wants to veer off to the right and left when it hits potholes that for other cars that would be inconsequential. The interior also has a very cheap feel.

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  WORST VEHICLE EVER - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By BrockPSU - September 18 - 3:12 pm

  This is the worst vehicle Ive ever owned. This Explorer was actually at the dealer for warranty tranny repair for 7 consecutive weeks! It was a problem with Ford and the dealer, and no one ever returned my calls. I tried Customer Care at Ford and their response were "what can we do for you?" And they did nothing! I am dealing with a lawyer now to try and resolve this. The vehicle would surge forward at the end of a stop, enough that you could spill your drink or, if not wearing a seatbelt, do more damage. I was told that this is just a charcteristic of the "first in class" 6 speed transmission.

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  Are you kidding me?!! - 2016 Ford F-150
  By Dale Drottar - September 18 - 11:32 am

  Owned the truck five months! Headlight unit had to be replaced, plastic adjuster striped, replaced wiper blades- left streaks, back side of side view mirror came off in car wash, electrical problems: no radio but cd player worked-dash lights were in day time mode at night-alarm went off by itself- power windows go up half way then go back down on their own- . What a disappointment. Truck LOOKS very sharp but the longer I own it the more disappointed I am. Anybody wanna buy it?! Owned many Rams before- no problems. This is a brand new 2016 f150, regular cab,short bed, and I have many compliments on it. For sale. 5500 miles. Go to get trade in value and its pathetic- five grand loss in five months of me owning it.

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  Gas economy - 2001 Ford Ranger
  By gokee - September 8 - 10:34 pm

  Driving the Ranger is very comforable. The only thing I hate about it is the fuel economy compared to the one I had before. I had a 1995 Ranger before with a 4 cylinder motor and a 5 speed manual transmission. After I got it I wish I would not have traded. I tried to sell it quick and buy my 95 back but I did not have any luck that quick. The 95 always averaged 26 miles to gallon while this thing is only doing 19 to 20 miles. After I got it I had new spark plugs put in which he said 2 were bad which i seen because my mechanic brings them back to show. The fuel filter he could not even blow through it. I tried it to when he brought it back.

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  Out of my pocket!! - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By Jeanine - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Wouldnt you know it, at 44,000 miles and less then three years just 8,000 miles after my warranty ended my power steering pump broke internally sending "shrap metal" into the power steering rack thus destorying that also. $1,130 out of my pocket. NEXT at 55,000 miles my transmission "died" on a on ramp. Aamco said oil shaft pump broke which killed torque converter. $2,170 out of my pocket. Calls to ford headheadquaters in detroit yelled no help or sympathy. Wouldnt buy another ford again if they where the last cars on earth!!!