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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  Outdated - 2004 Ford Taurus
  By Electro - March 21 - 2:00 am

  For the most part its a decent car, as far as the mechanical aspect is concerned, unfortunately thats about it! Ford needs to come up with something NEW most if not all the other car manufacturers have already done this, the way I see it is, Ford is way behind in the times!

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  Local Use Only! - 1997 Ford Windstar
  By SteveFromSyracuse - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Dont ever take this baby on the LONG HAUL! That transmission will sing you an expensive tune. It heats up after an hour or so and everything starts to blink and go alarmed. Fixed the traditional things like the mysterious power windows & lights & warning alerts. Just over 100k miles now, front bearings are going. Must sell and buy anything but a FORD.

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  Its cute, but . . . - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  By Cary in Florida - March 17 - 7:23 pm

  Our SportTrac is cute, but it doesnt handle well at all, and its loud and rough-running. It creaks when you turn the wheel "too far" in either direction (like when Im going through a drive- through restaurant!), the engine light constantly comes on (thankfully we got the extended warranty), and the drivers seat wont go close enough in for my comfort.

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  I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD - 2003 Ford F-150
  By pissonford - March 17 - 2:00 am

  STARTING AT 1K MILES THE ENGINE KNOCKED LIKE A DIESEL UNTIL IT WARMED UP.(65 DEGREE WEATHER SO IT WAS NOT THAT COLD) FORD CLAIMS THAT PISTON SLAP IS NORMAL!!! WHEN RUNNING THE TRUCK KINDA HARD IN EVERY GEAR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED IT MADE A SCREECHING NOISE. (DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE) DRIVER SIDE DOOR RATTLED LIKE IT WAS FULL OF ROCKS. I HAD MORE FAITH IN MY 1985 F150 W/ 170k MILES THAN I HAD WITH MY 03 W/ 9K MILES THAT I LOST ALOT OF MONEY ON WHEN I TRADED IT IN, BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE MAKING ONE MORE PAYMENT ON!!!

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  spend your money elsewhere - 1994 Ford Escort
  By kjlnjlnnminoimiojmip - March 16 - 2:00 am

  maybe its jsut the particular car i got, but ive had nothing but trouble with it. 500 miles into my ownership, the ac goes out. dealer replaces compressor (for exorbitant price of $400) but radiator starts leaking. my freakin speedometer doesnt even work! even though ive heard of lots of people that have loved this car, i see no reason to spend the money on it. why bother when you can get a comparable civic (better reliability and mileage) for about a grand more?

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  Not Great - 2000 Ford Explorer
  By Rosalia - March 16 - 2:00 am

  well i liked the car untill the transmission went after 37, 000 mile the car was only used to go to work and home and the transmission went and they refused to give me a new one they only gave me a rebuilt one

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  MY TAURUS WAGON - 2001 Ford Taurus
  By bryce hill - March 14 - 2:00 am

  The taurus se wagons are made fairly cheap. The quality of components that ford usess in thier manufacture is on the low side of quality. If the wagon or sedan has the overhead valve V-6 (12V) Vulcan engine expect lower performance. The suspension and ride quality is on the low side also. The taurus devalues quickly and costs much to own due to the low quality of craftsmanship on the cars components.

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  Waste of Money - 2002 Ford Escape
  By poorchoice - March 14 - 2:00 am

  Very disappointed. At 40K, I needed new front brakes?!? the windows screech like nails on a chalkboard when in cold weather. I had to have the moonroof fixed.

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  Cheap car , cheap car, cheap car. - 1997 Ford Aspire
  By faceplanter - March 11 - 2:00 am

  If you just want to get from point A to B with no frills, this is it. Loud on the free way, really loud in the rain. Headlight/park lights quit working at 90k miles due to corroded wires. Main seal went at 100k on passenger side causing passenger side brake rotor to warp. Back of car covered in soot. Engine is a 1.3 litre 4 cylinder thats weak. If mine had A/C, doubt the engine could turn it. The plus? Easy on the gas and can go forever on tires.

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  DO NOT BUY A ZX2 - 1999 Ford Escort
  By nofx - March 10 - 2:00 am

  After approximately 48,000 mi of driving this car completley went south. I provided regular maintainence and oil changes, yet still had to have the engine and transmission replaced at 48,000 mi.