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:

• 

  Sad News - 1999 Ford Taurus
  By sad news - April 8 - 5:07 pm

  Well I am at 188,888 which is a lot, but I expected more from my Taurus. I have to date replaced rack and pionion steering and the alternator. Now the transmission is going as well as the strut mounts and the frontend. The car has been a disappoinment. My next car will not ne a domestic as my husband has a 1991 4runner with 288,000 on it and its going strong. Ford lost my business.

• 

  The Most Reliable Car Out of the 80s - 1990 Ford Tempo
  By Explorer4x4 - April 8 - 4:08 pm

  I have had my 1989 Tempo AWD for a single year now. It has never had a problem. And I know the previous owners well, and they have never had any major problems either. It has always started for me, and its very reliable. I would go to say its the most reliable model made in the 1980s. I left it for eleven months. It sat untouched for that time. I went back to it, turned the key, started right away. Thats quality. Excellent first car and general daily driver. Fuel economy is average, reliability outstanding, durability outstanding, styling is good - average, power is slightly below average and quality is too great for words.

• 

  The best truck -hands down - 2007 Ford F-150
  By Don - April 7 - 11:15 pm

  This is the 3rd F-150 supercrew I have owned. I think it is the best looking, riding, and quality truck on the market. I travel for two months a year. I love the ride quality, interior design, and sound isolation.The best truck on the market.

• 

  continued quality - 2000 Ford Crown Victoria
  By roscoe - April 7 - 5:56 pm

  Upon purchase of my 2000 Crown-Vic from California CHP I was truly amazed at the condition that the vehicle had been kept in both mechanically and cosmetically. The vehicle belonged to the Executive division and saw no patrol time at all. The vehicle rides like a dream and i have had no problems with it what so ever. Ford quality is really evident in the production of this car. The only maintenance required is the usual oil change to keep the car running smooth. At 113 thousand miles at the time of purchase who wouldnt be surprised, even so much that the very next week we bought another crown Vic-p71 used from the California Highway Patrol for my father. THE BLUE OVALS BEST!

• 

  Great SUV - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By gatormike - April 7 - 3:59 pm

  This has been a great SUV for my family. The vehicle handles well and has excellent pick up. It has been very reliable. I must say, on the negative side, that the overhead instrument panel display lights went out and the moonroof frame came out, however it did not affect the operation. Those are about the only problems we have had and we have had the vehicle for 4 years. I put a captains bed in the vehicle and I am amazed at the cargo capacity. I know the Explorers have a bad reputation for rolling so I am very careful but all in all I love the vehicle.

• 

  not bad at all - 2005 Ford Freestyle
  By jrs - April 7 - 2:13 pm

  Have 400 miles on new SE AWD freestyle. These are my thoughts: 1. Very well built, some of best fit and finish I have ever seen on American car 2. Drives tightly and very nice with some Volvo there--excellent drive doesnt really feel underpowered as some complain--I think the CVT takes a little getting used to but now I prefer it 3. A little too large--making a smaller version (mini me)might be worth it and sell well 4. Well designed interior, very, very nicely done 5. blank spots where I did not get extras on dash and wheel are unsightly but this is very minor--overall very sweet

• 

  Great USA Truck - 2005 Ford F-150
  By tim bickford - April 7 - 10:31 am

  This is one nice riding truck. Traded in Exploror. No comparison in the ride. It rides like a good quality car. It has a smart look, and the design of the engine makes for easy repair access. You are driving a truck with all the features of a truck but has a smooth ride, and very quiet. I cannot say more about this truck but one word. great. This USA auto maker is better than imports.

• 

  sweet car - 2001 Ford F-150
  By weeb100 - April 7 - 10:00 am

  this car is great. you can make i look even better and preform even better then it already does and is soo fun to drive

• 

  Unsafe and totally unreliable - 1998 Ford Windstar
  By fitzh2o - April 7 - 10:00 am

  We purchased this vehicle because of its safety crash rating. The way it has been going with this vehicle, we may find out how crash worthy it is sooner than we hope. We have only owned it since January of 2001 and it only had 18,000 miles on it. It now only has 32,000 miles. We have had to replace 2 ABS censors which were thankfully under warranty. Now, we have no brakes! You push the pedal to the floor and hope you will stop. We have been given an estimate of $400-$1000 for repairs. As soon as this vehicle is repaired we are dumping it. No more American cars for our family. Our last one was a Dodge Grand Caravan and the transmission went outon it at 60,000 miles.

• 

  Regret Buying it!!!! - 2000 Ford Mustang
  By SIX - April 7 - 10:00 am

  The good looks of this car make it a big seller. Thats what suckered me into it. Two years later: Every piece of plastic on the interior rattles, all a/c vents are broke, the transmission shutters on take off and "pops" when downshifting. But I am told by Ford and their little computer that this is normal and nothing is wrong with the car. But I wonder why it did not do that the first few months. The car also holds NO VALUE... Which is making it difficult to trade. From my experience with this car I will never buy another Mustang, possibly not even another Ford.