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:

• 

  Shifty at best - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By wunderkid49 - April 25 - 2:00 am

  By the time the car was five years old with 63k miles, I had had the transmission rebuilt, did the brakes twice myself, replaced several suspension components trying to fix dangerous at the limit handling characteristics, installed several new electrical items including power window motors and power seat switches, and several mechanics were chasing a check engine problem. All this and 22 mpg. So, I traded it this weekend for a 02 Subaru. It handles, shifts, and stops like a car should. No more Fords for me.

• 

  DO NOT BUY - 2000 Ford Taurus
  By 2000 Lemon - April 23 - 2:00 am

  Covert Ford delivered the car with a huge scratch on the drivers side window. A sign I should have backed out of the deal immediately. The AC unit has been replaced 2 times in 4 years. Both time failing on long trips. The seams on the Leather Interior seats are coming apart. The rear door panels on both side the vinyl is coming un-glued from the doors Covert Ford can replace the rear door panels for only $900. It is the loudest driving car I have ever owned. Road noise will drown out the stereo system - not to mention a telephone call. Ford is poor Quality - Covert is bad service!

• 

  no engine problems - 2001 Ford Taurus
  By Jim Jensen - April 23 - 2:00 am

  Weak front end and suspension system, which Im finding is typical of Ford. Sound system marginal. Very disappointing car. Good dealership.

• 

  Going back to Jeep - 2002 Ford Escape
  By Rottmom - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I traded in a 97 Jeep Wrangler for this pile of cheap junk. Not even 11,000 miles and this car needs new tires badly. Everything is plastic and fiberglass. Gear shift position is downright dangerous if youre reaching for the radio. WORST is the 4-wheel drive which really doesnt exist. I cant wait to unload this mediocre dangerous vehicle. Dont forget the recall that just came out. Ford dealer doesnt have evening or weekend service hours.

• 

  A Lemon Can Be Red, Too... - 1996 Ford Taurus
  By Lemonade - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car used with 46,000 miles on it. Have replaced all four rotors, the radiator, the AC system. AC is broken again. Thermostat has been replaced 3 times. Freeze plugs blew out on interstate highway at about 50,000 miles and had to have head gasket job. Car was in the shop nearly every six weeks from the time I bought it...

• 

  American engineering at its worst!! - 1991 Ford Tempo
  By Kyle Brautigan - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This car is horrible.We decided to buy the all wheel drive version. We tried to use it in winter and I noticed it did not work well. We took it to the dealership and after about 2 years of ownership we found the a.w.d wasnt even working. It was the main reason I purchased the car. The car has stalled numerous times, has broken down and been needed repaired about weekly. It never starts on winter mornings and the drivers seat is broken and slouches back to one side. Poor quality across the board. I will find it difficult to buy a Ford again after this car. YIKES!!

• 

  Watch out, it might implode!!! - 1995 Ford Contour
  By Ford Hater - April 15 - 2:00 am

  I got this car from my mother when I was in a bit of a tight spot for transportation. Now I know why she wanted to get rid of it. V6 5speed was fun to drive and I nearly drove the engine right out of it. Fortunately I had it in for new front stuts and they found that the engine was missing 5 of the 8 mounting bolts. Over the ensuing months it lost the alternator, water pump, wheel bearings, and the check engine light keeps comming on (which leaves my mechanic at a loss.)

• 

  Never Again - 2000 Ford Windstar
  By Never Againnn - April 14 - 2:00 am

  I should have turned in the lease when the Ford Dealer would not warranty to 7/70,000. They knew it was a crappy vehicle.

• 

  Fix Or Repair Daily--ford 99 sel - 1999 Ford Windstar
  By danny z. - April 7 - 2:00 am

  purchased used at 36,000.needed intake manifold,starter,trans,battery,computer, side doors dont closed all the time [motors replaced,dashboard ratels,etc.. called ford and they can care less.van now has 54,00 onit and today the plastics gear changer that regulates the air flow to parts of the van is sounding like a bomb in the dash.Called ford another 4400 please.What a junk box...traded my honda for this !!!

• 

  Standard Ford Headaches - 1999 Ford F-150
  By red-truck - April 7 - 2:00 am

  My truck generates the standard Ford problems annually. The hem seam on all four doors developed rust (which Ford refused to fix as the rust did not perforate the metal), phantom windshield wipers (unfixed), coil pack failure (1) and air conditioner refrigerant leaks requiring annual recharge and also the famous Ford door crack above the intersection of the front and rear door on both sides. The irritation is that these problems are all reported but Ford refused to address the problems until (reportedly and time will tell) the 2004 redesign. How does one say "Cash Cow".