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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  Things to check - 2003 Ford Focus
  By Golfer - September 7 - 2:00 am

  The experience has been good todate. A few modifications would help this vehicle.

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  Leave it curbside with your garbage! - 2003 Ford Focus
  By nelmania - September 5 - 8:03 pm

  Ive always been wary of buying a Ford and now I know why. Its a mistake I will only make once. Hopefully its not too late for you! I purchased my 03 Focus 2 months ago with 19,000 miles. I have taken it in to the dealership 3 times now due to stalling problems and each time the dealership says there isnt a problem and does NOTHING, not even a courtesy car! My confidence in this vehicle and Ford as a whole is about as low as it gets.

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  This car sucks! - 2000 Ford Focus
  By highly upset - September 2 - 10:00 am

  I was very proud of my Focus when I first bought it! It was just an adorable car to me...until it started behaving in true Ford fashion! At 33,000 miles, my rear axle actually broke. My tire couldve come off and I couldve been killed! And now my A/C condenser and one of my window regulators are broken..not to mention my radio randomly just shuts off from time to time. Also, my key gets stuck in the ignition or just wont turn to crank up the car! The car needs to be trashed and Im trading it in as soon as I can.

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  This car sucks! - 2000 Ford Focus
  By HIGHLY UPSET - September 2 - 10:00 am

  I was very proud of my Focus when I first bought it! It was just an adorable car to me...until it started behaving in true Ford fashion! At 33,000 miles, my rear axle actually broke. My tire couldve come off and I couldve been killed! And now my A/C condenser and one of my window regulators are broken..not to mention my radio randomly just shuts off from time to time. Also, my key gets stuck in the ignition or just wont turn to crank up the car! The car needs to be trashed and Im trading it in as soon as I can.

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  Continuing Brake Problems - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Bill - August 29 - 2:50 am

  Enjoy the space and comfort but the brakes have been replaced twice, even though the I have had the car for 21 months and it has only 11,400 miles as of 11/24/06. The dealer tells me it is a continuing problem on the Five Hundred and Freestyle, which apparently has the same braking system. The computer system failed at 5000 miles and had to be towed in to have the software downloaded again. I have also had an annoying squeak in the rear suspension system since I bought it and the dealer hasnt been able to fix it for more than a few days at a time. The repair record always reflects "packed with grease".

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  2003 Focus ZX3 - 2003 Ford Focus
  By pmh - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I really do like the Focus, but too many problems, and I though 2003 vehicles had been fixed. I have had my car back 5 times having new rotors at 9000 miles, alignment problems, vibrations through through the steering wheel, water leaking in from the windsheild, radio, door latches sticking, exterior trim falling off. Its just not worth it...stay away from this vehicle. Ford does not accept any responsibility for the product!!!

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  Power only - 2008 Ford Shelby GT500
  By blair - August 27 - 11:16 am

  Power and comfort are excellent. Smooth power band, transmission shifts perfect (previous zo6 owner), upgrades are endless. Finally a solid rear axle for good solid launches. Goodyear supercar tires are poor selection. Tire noise is none, rear end howl is present, no wind noise at higher speeds, rear suspension clunks on bumps. Panhard bar makes rear feel sloppy on hard excel. With shifting. Torque is on demand. Stripes are poorly pieced on, cheap black plastic rockers, mirrors, lower rear bumper cover and chin splitter are present. Highway gears are factory installed (needs 3:73 because of the mustang being overweight). All in all its a fun car to drive!

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  Not a car to wear the Taurus badge - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By ChampionDriver01 - August 24 - 7:26 am

  Had an 86 Taurus. 335K and no problems, decided to make that one a tuner. So I bought a 99. Only kept for two years, 13K. Gas mileage was 9/11, city/hiway, IF LUCKY. Bought an 01 and has performed almost flawlessly. Manifold gasket at 4K. Oh dear.

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  Poor fuel economy - 1999 Ford Explorer
  By Mi - August 21 - 2:57 am

  I had to replace the engine head although there was coolant in the tank. Fuel economy is terrible. It now barely makes about 13 mpg.

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  My crappy ford - 2005 Ford Focus
  By starfishinva - August 20 - 1:40 pm

  I purchased this car for the gas mileage since most of my driving is interstate, to find it sucks more gas than a V8 and when taken to the car lot they hook up a computer to it and say im getting 39 mpg but in fact getting less than 22 mpg what a disappointment!!!the rpms in the city are 1800 on the tach on the highway its between 2200 and 2500 and no one will actually check the car out for problems!!!